How to Be Craft Brewer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 28, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The craft beer industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, due in part to the rise in consumer demand for more diverse, flavorful options. This growth has led to an increase in the number of craft brewers, as well as the range of styles offered. As a result, craft brewers are now able to differentiate themselves from larger, more established breweries and create unique products.

Consumers benefit from these unique offerings, as well as from the increased competition among craft brewers, leading to better quality and lower prices. the rise in craft brewing has had a positive economic impact on local communities, providing jobs and generating revenue.

Steps How to Become

Learn the Basics. Before you can become a craft brewer, you need to learn the basics of brewing. Take classes on beer production and study the science behind it. You should also read books and watch videos on brewing techniques.
Get an Internship. To gain more experience, you can get an internship at a brewery. This will give you hands-on experience in the brewing process and help you understand the ins and outs of the industry.
Start Home Brewing. Home brewing is a great way to practice your craft and develop your skills. You can even start selling your beer to friends and family or at local festivals and fairs.
Find a Brewery. Once you have the necessary skills and experience, you can start looking for a brewery that is hiring. This can be a difficult process as many breweries are constantly looking for experienced brewers.
Get Certified. To be a professional craft brewer, you need to be certified by the Brewers Association. This certification is proof of your knowledge and experience in brewing.
Join a Guild. Joining a guild such as the Master Brewers Association of America is a great way to network and learn more about the industry. You can also get advice from other brewers and become involved in the community.

In order to stay ahead and efficient as a craft brewer, it is important to make sure that you are constantly innovating and staying up to date with the latest brewing technology. This means investing in the most efficient brewing equipment, automating processes where possible, and constantly researching new beer styles and trends. staying connected with industry professionals and knowledgeable beer drinkers can help you keep your finger on the pulse of the craft beer industry, allowing you to make informed decisions about your brewerys future.

And finally, having a strong online presence can help you reach more potential customers and build relationships with key players in the craft beer industry. By embracing these strategies, craft brewers can remain competitive and successful in their field.

You may want to check Lead Brewer, Head Brewer, and Homebrewer for alternative.

Job Description

Head Brewer: Responsible for the development and supervision of all brewing activities including recipe formulation, production, packaging, quality assurance and safety.
Brewmaster: Responsible for overseeing the brewing process and maintaining a high standard of quality in all beers brewed.
Packaging Manager: Oversees the packaging process and ensures the finished product meets quality standards.
Quality Assurance Technician: Performs lab testing to ensure beer meets quality control specifications.
Maintenance Technician: Troubleshoots and repairs brewing equipment and ensures proper functioning of all brewery systems.
Inventory Manager: Oversees the purchase, storage, and distribution of necessary ingredients used in the brewing process.
Sales and Marketing Manager: Develops and implements marketing plans to promote craft beer and increase sales.
Taproom Manager: Manages the taproom, including staff, operations, customer service, inventory, and events.
Beer Educator: Educates customers on the beer styles, ingredients, and brewing processes used to produce craft beer.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of brewing science and technology
Understanding of beer production processes and techniques
Ability to maintain a safe working environment
Knowledge of regulations relating to alcohol production
Ability to troubleshoot problems in the brewing process
Ability to work with and maintain brewing equipment
Basic understanding of the business side of brewing, including cost control, inventory management, and sales
Ability to create recipes and develop new beer styles
Understanding of the craft beer market and customer preferences
Excellent communication and customer service skills

Having a strong understanding of the brewing process is essential for any craft brewer. From selecting the right ingredients and understanding their effects on the flavor, to mastering the art of fermentation and maturation, a successful craft brewer needs to have a deep knowledge of the brewing process. This includes being able to identify the perfect water source, understanding the differences between the various types of hops and yeast, and having an eye for detail when it comes to sanitation and quality control.

a successful craft brewer must have excellent communication skills so that they can effectively collaborate with other brewers and customers to create the perfect beer. Without these skills, a craft brewer will struggle to produce consistent, high-quality beer.

Quality Control Brewer, Kettle Brewer, and Cask Brewer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to pursue a career in craft brewing?
What experience do you have in the craft beer industry?
Tell us about your experience with different types of brewing equipment.
What specific techniques do you use when brewing beer?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in craft brewing?
Describe a difficult problem you encountered while brewing beer and how you solved it.
What strategies do you use to keep costs low while producing high quality beer?
How do you ensure that your beer meets safety and quality standards?
What techniques do you use to create unique, flavorful beers?
What makes your beer stand out from the competition?

Common Tools in Industry

Mash Tun. A vessel used to steep grains and convert starches into fermentable sugars. (eg: The mash tun is filled with hot water, allowing the grains to be steeped and the starches converted into sugar).
Wort Chiller. A device used to rapidly cool hot wort after boiling. (eg: The wort chiller is submerged into the boiling wort and quickly cooled it down to a temperature suitable for yeast pitching. )
Fermenting Vessels. Vessels used to contain the wort during fermentation. (eg: The fermenting vessels are filled with the cooled wort, and the yeast is added to start the fermentation process).
Hydrometer. A tool used to measure the amount of sugar present in the wort. (eg: The hydrometer is used to take a reading of the wort's sugar content before fermentation, and then again after fermentation is complete).
Refractometer. A device used to measure the concentration of dissolved sugars in a liquid. (eg: The refractometer is used to measure the specific gravity of the beer throughout its fermentation).
Bottling Bucket. A container used to hold beer after fermentation and before bottling. (eg: The bottling bucket is filled with beer, then priming sugar and a small amount of yeast is added, before the beer is siphoned into bottles for storage).

Professional Organizations to Know

Brewers Association
National Beer Wholesalers Association
American Homebrewers Association
Master Brewers Association of the Americas
North American Guild of Beer Writers
National Homebrew Competition
Craft Beer Importers Association
National IPA Challenge
National Beer Mile Association
Brewers of Europe

We also have Head Kettle Brewer, Brewmaster, and Assistant Brewer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Craft Beer. A beer made by a small, independent, and traditional brewery.
Microbrewery. A brewery that produces fewer than 15,000 barrels of beer annually.
Brewpub. A pub that also brews its own beer on-site.
Homebrew. Beer brewed in a non-commercial setting, usually by an individual or small group.
Hops. A climbing vine whose flowers are used as a flavoring and preservative in beer.
Malt. Grains, such as barley or wheat, that are used in the brewing process to produce sugar for fermentation.
Yeast. A single-celled microorganism that is used to ferment the sugar in beer.
Fermentation. The process of converting sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide through the action of yeast.
Brewmaster. The head of a brewery responsible for recipe development, production, and quality control.
ABV (Alcohol By Volume). A measurement of how much alcohol is contained in a beer by volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is craft brewing?

Craft brewing is a type of brewing that focuses on producing smaller batches of beer with a greater emphasis on flavor and quality, as opposed to mass-produced beer.

What is the difference between craft and mass-produced beer?

The main difference between craft and mass-produced beer is the focus on quality and flavor. Craft beer typically uses higher-quality ingredients and more creative brewing techniques, which can lead to a unique flavor profile compared to mass-produced beers.

How many craft breweries are there in the US?

According to the Brewers Association, there are over 8,000 craft breweries in the US as of 2020.

What types of beer are produced by craft brewers?

Craft brewers produce a wide range of beer styles, including ales, lagers, porters, stouts, sours, and wheat beers.

What is the average price of a craft beer?

The average price of a craft beer varies widely depending on style and region, but usually ranges from $5 to $8 per pint.

Web Resources

Home | Central Washington University www.cwu.edu
Craft Brewing Certificate | Professional Development & Training training.unh.edu
Craft Brewing Program | Central Washington University www.cwu.edu