Technical brewer

Technical brewers are in charge of beer and cider making processes, quality control and packaging.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a technical brewer, you could:

  • select raw ingredients and manage the brewing process
  • monitor production and make quality checks at each stage
  • clean and maintain brewing equipment
  • oversee kegging, canning, packaging and labelling
  • develop new beer recipes and brewing methods
  • keep detailed production records
  • manage stock and order raw ingredients from suppliers
  • assist with product promotion to wholesalers, local markets, beer festivals and on social media

Working environment

You could work at a brewery or distillery.

Your working environment may be noisy and humid.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience you could become a senior brewer, technical director or overall production manager.

You might also become self-employed and set up your own microbrewery. You can get advice on setting up a new business from GOV.UK and Brew School.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • knowledge of chemistry for brewing, fermenting and distilling
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • administration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be over 18 years of age

You may need a full driving licence for some jobs.

Most relevant

  • Chemistry - Technical brewers rely on chemistry every day – from understanding fermentation reactions and enzyme activity to monitoring pH levels and managing water chemistry. They need to know how different chemical processes affect the flavour, clarity, and stability of beer and cider.
  • Biology - Technical brewers work closely with living organisms, particularly yeast, which drives the fermentation process. Understanding microbiology is essential for controlling fermentation, preventing contamination, and ensuring consistent quality in every batch.
  • Food Preparation and Nutrition - Technical brewers select raw ingredients like malt, hops, and water, and need to understand how these interact during brewing to affect taste, texture, and nutritional content. Knowledge of food safety, hygiene standards, and production processes is central to the role.
  • Mathematics - Technical brewers use maths to calculate ingredient ratios, measure alcohol content, monitor temperatures, and scale recipes up or down for different batch sizes. Accurate calculations are critical for consistency and for meeting legal labelling requirements.

Also relevant

  • Design and Technology - Technical brewers operate, clean, and maintain complex brewing equipment including fermentation vessels, filtration systems, and packaging lines. Understanding how machinery works and being able to troubleshoot mechanical issues helps keep production running smoothly.
  • Business - Technical brewers often manage stock, order supplies, and assist with promoting products at festivals and to wholesalers. Those who set up their own microbrewery need to understand pricing, marketing, and how to run a small business.
  • Environmental Science - Technical brewers need to consider water usage, waste management, and energy consumption during the brewing process. Understanding environmental impact is increasingly important as breweries work to reduce their carbon footprint and manage by-products responsibly.
  • Physics - Technical brewers apply principles of heat transfer, pressure, and fluid dynamics when managing processes like mashing, boiling, and carbonation. Understanding how temperature and pressure affect brewing helps them control quality at each stage of production.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses or a graduate training scheme

You could study for a degree in a subject, such as:

  • food science or food technology
  • brewing and distilling
  • microbiology
  • chemistry

You could continue your studies by doing a postgraduate qualification, like a master's in brewing and distilling, brewing science or biochemical engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

You could apply to a brewery company for a place on a Brewer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

You may be able to start as a brewery production assistant or other operational role and take training on the job, with the support of your employer.

You'll usually need at least 2 years' experience in brewing to apply for technical jobs directly. Employers may also want you to have recognised industry qualifications like those offered by the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers.

You could take professional qualifications, for example the Foundation in Brewing, before applying for a job as a trainee with a brewery.

If you have a degree, you could apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with one of the larger brewing companies.

Career tips

Forklift truck training could be helpful when applying for jobs, though employers may put you through this when you start.

Further information

You can find out more about working in the brewing industry from Brewlab and the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates.

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