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

Sep 6, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of a Head Brewer is to oversee the entire brewing process from start to finish, ensuring that each batch of beer is of the highest quality. They are the ones who decide what ingredients to use, the amount of time each batch needs to ferment, and when a batch is ready for bottling. they are responsible for managing a brewing team, maintaining quality control, and troubleshooting any problems that arise during the brewing process.

The effects of a Head Brewer's work can be seen in the quality and consistency of each batch of beer. Without their expertise, the quality and consistency of each beer would suffer, leading to decreased customer satisfaction and ultimately, decreased revenue.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Brewing Science. A Bachelor's degree in Brewing Science is the minimum educational requirement for becoming a Head Brewer. This degree program will typically include courses such as Brewing Science & Technology, Brewing Microbiology, Chemistry of Beer, and Fermentation Science.
Gather Experience in Brewing. In addition to earning a degree, gaining experience in brewing is essential for becoming a Head Brewer. This can be done through internships, apprenticeships, or working in a brewery.
Become Certified by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. Certification from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) is the industry standard for Head Brewers. This certification is obtained through exams and hands-on training.
Develop Leadership Skills. As a Head Brewer, you will be responsible for leading and managing a team of brewers. Therefore, it is important to hone your leadership skills and become an effective communicator and motivator.
Obtain Certification as a Cicerone. Although not required, obtaining certification as a Cicerone can help you stand out from other job candidates when applying for a Head Brewer position. A Cicerone is a certified beer expert who has knowledge about beer styles, food pairings, and beer service.
Apply for Head Brewer Positions. Once you have obtained a degree in Brewing Science, gained experience in the field, become certified by the IBD, developed your leadership skills, and obtained certification as a Cicerone, you can begin applying for Head Brewer positions.

The brewing process is complicated and requires a great deal of knowledge and experience to ensure it is done correctly and efficiently. The success of the finished product is largely dependent on the quality of raw ingredients used, the temperature of the brewing environment, the timing of the various stages of the brewing process, and the skill and knowledge of the brewmaster. If any of these elements are off, it can drastically change the flavor and character of the beer, or even cause the entire batch to fail.

In order to produce the best possible beer, brewers must pay close attention to each step of the brewing process, from the selection of ingredients to the timing of each stage of fermentation and aging. Taking the time to optimize each element of the brewing process helps to ensure that each batch will turn out exactly as intended.

You may want to check Cellar Brewer, Lager Brewer, and Cask Brewer for alternative.

Job Description

Develop, plan and implement recipes for brewing beer
Monitor fermentation processes and oversee yeast management
Control and monitor beer quality, consistency and flavor
Manage inventory of hops, malt, yeast and other supplies
Oversee maintenance and cleaning of brewing equipment
Oversee filtration and packaging of beer
Analyze beer production results and adjust processes accordingly
Track progress of new beer recipes, existing styles, and seasonal varieties
Collaborate with other brewers to develop new recipes and processes
Educate and train staff on brewing processes and safety procedures
Maintain accurate records of production, brewery operations, and inventory
Manage lab operations and analyze test results for beer quality
Work closely with sales and marketing teams to create promotional materials

Skills and Competencies to Have

Comprehensive knowledge of brewing processes and ingredients
Ability to work with a variety of brewing equipment
Understanding of beer styles, recipes and ingredients
Expertise in sanitation, safety and quality control
Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Strong leadership qualities
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Knowledge of laboratory equipment and processes

Being a successful head brewer requires a variety of skills and abilities. One of the most important skills for a head brewer is having a thorough knowledge of the scientific principles behind brewing beer. This includes understanding the impact of different ingredients on the flavor, aroma, and overall taste of the beer.

being able to identify and troubleshoot potential problems during the brewing process, as well as the ability to make informed decisions when selecting ingredients and equipment, is essential. Furthermore, having an eye for detail and an ability to think critically about the brewing process can help a head brewer create delicious beer that stands out from the competition. Finally, having excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, is key in order to effectively collaborate with other brewers and staff.

All of these skills are necessary for a head brewer to be successful in their work.

Beer Brewer, Craft Brewer, and Production Brewer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working in a brewery?
How would you describe your knowledge of the brewing process?
What kind of beer styles have you brewed in the past?
Describe a time when you faced a difficult challenge while working in the brewery.
What safety and sanitation procedures have you implemented in previous breweries?
How do you ensure quality control and consistency in the beers that you produce?
What strategies do you use to keep up with the changing trends in craft brewing?
What experience do you have with managing staff and ensuring efficient operations?
How do you handle customer complaints or feedback on the beers that you brew?
How do you stay up-to-date on new technologies, processes, and ingredients in the brewing industry?

Common Tools in Industry

Mash Tun. A large vessel used in the brewing process to steep grains and then collect the sugary liquid. (eg: A 5-barrel mash tun is used to steep 20 lbs of grain and collect over 1 gallon of sweet liquid. )
Fermenter. A vessel used to create beer flavors with yeast. (eg: A 10-barrel fermenter is used to create a wheat beer with a Belgian yeast strain. )
Kettle. A large, heated tank where wort is boiled and hops are added for flavor. (eg: A 40-gallon kettle is heated to a rolling boil and 1 oz of hops is added for bittering. )
Heat Exchanger. A device used to cool hot wort quickly and efficiently. (eg: A plate heat exchanger is used to cool 10 gallons of hot wort to a yeast-friendly temperature in under 10 minutes. )
Refractometer. A tool used to measure the amount of sugar in a liquid sample. (eg: A refractometer is used to measure the gravity of a wort sample and ensure the desired alcohol content of a beer. )
Hydrometer. A tool used to measure the density of liquids. (eg: A hydrometer is used to measure the specific gravity of a beer sample and ensure the desired alcohol content. )
Kegging System. A system of valves, hoses, and tanks used to fill kegs with beer. (eg: A 6-head kegging system is used to fill three 5-gallon kegs with beer in less than 10 minutes. )
Bottling Machine. A machine that fills and caps bottles with beer. (eg: A 4-head bottling machine is used to fill and cap 12-ounce bottles with beer in less than 15 minutes. )
Yeast Starter Kit. A kit of tools used to cultivate yeast for fermentation. (eg: An advanced yeast starter kit is used to create a 10-liter starter of yeast with a high density of viable cells. )

Professional Organizations to Know

Brewers Association
Master Brewers Association of the Americas
American Homebrewers Association
European Brewery Convention
Institute of Brewing and Distilling
Society of Barley Engineers
National Homebrewers Conference
American Society of Brewing Chemists
Beer Judge Certification Program
Brewers Publications

We also have Quality Control Brewer, Yeast Brewer, and Barrel Brewer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Mash Tun. A large container used in the brewing process to extract fermentable sugars from malted grains by soaking them in hot water.
Wort. The liquid extract resulting from mashing grains, which is then boiled with hops to make beer.
Hops. The dried flower of the hop plant, which is added to boiling wort to impart bitterness and aroma to beer.
Fermentation. The process in which yeast consumes sugars present in wort and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Yeast. An organism used to convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide during fermentation.
Lagering. The process of storing beer at cold temperatures for a period of time to allow it to mature and develop flavor.
Bottling. The process of filling bottles with beer and sealing them for sale and consumption.
Kegging. The process of putting beer into a keg and then carbonating it for consumption.
Carbonation. The process of adding carbon dioxide to beer to create carbonation.
Dry Hopping. Adding hops to beer after fermentation, which increases hop aroma and flavor but not bitterness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Head Brewer? A1: A Head Brewer is a professional who oversees the brewing process in a brewery, typically ensuring that recipes are followed, ingredients are of the highest quality, and operations are run efficiently. Q2: What experience is required to become a Head Brewer? A2: Generally, becoming a Head Brewer requires at least five years of professional brewing experience, as well as an intimate knowledge of the brewing process, ingredient selection, and quality control. Q3: What are the duties of a Head Brewer? A3: A Head Brewer's duties may include developing recipes, managing fermentation and maturation processes, quality assurance testing, inventory control, selecting ingredients, and managing staff. Q4: How many people does a Head Brewer typically manage? A4: A Head Brewer typically manages a team of 5-10 individuals, depending on the size of the brewery. Q5: What kind of salary can a Head Brewer expect to make? A5: Salaries for Head Brewers vary greatly and depend on a variety of factors including experience, the size of the brewery, and the location. Generally, Head Brewers can expect to make an average salary of $50,000-$70,000 per year.

Web Resources

Innovation Brew Works Gets New Head Brewer | PolyCentric - CPP polycentric.cpp.edu
Staff | Brewer Athletics www.breweredu.org
Staff | Brewer Athletics www.breweredu.org