How to get a job in the brewing industry
Most brewing companies prefer to train their employees in-house, but this specialized education is meant only to supplement and enhance previous learning. Any serious brewer will need a Bachelor of Science in any one of several disciplines, including microbiology, organic chemistry, food science, biotechnology and process or chemical engineering. These degree programs require four years at the undergraduate level. Brewers must also have a firm mathematical foundation and an aptitude for problem solving.
In addition to a Bachelor`s Degree, brewers may also complete the Master Brewer Program, a diploma program that covers, among other things, fermentation, brewing, mashing, malting and finishing. Graduates hold internationally recognized, formal qualifications in the finer arts of brewing science and brewery engineering. This program, often no more than three or four months in length, culminates in a final examination that awards a diploma. Brewery personnel with no formal scientific training or degrees may opt to enroll in a Professional Brewers Certificate program, which upon completion, will certify them in brewing techniques.
Brewers may choose to specialize in certain aspects of the brewing process and can focus on one role or specialty within a brewing company`s production process. This specialization allows them to obtain a high degree of proficiency in some of the many technical aspects of the brewing process, such as distilling, packaging, electronics, project management, process control and many other disciplines.
Some breweries, especially microbreweries, require employees to service a variety of roles within the processing plant competently. Therefore, mechanical or logistical knowledge and training would be helpful in streamlining the process from fermentation to bottling. Because the brewing process is highly automated, knowledge of line management, electrical engineering and general mechanical know-how would greatly aid in the functioning of the product line. Some manufacturing facilities are implementing computerized machinery as part of their production lines, making familiarity with computer programming another valuable skill to possess.
Any courses with a business-oriented focus would also greatly assist in monitoring expenses, quality control, industrial law and worker safety. Some breweries may require their brewers to interact with distributors and buyers and even deliver the goods to their retail destination. Thus, any skills relating to personnel management and inter-personal and communication skills would be vital to the successful functioning of a production plant.
Brewers will also be expected to constantly supplement their learning as new techniques and production methods are developed. Consistency and quality of product are valued above all other aspects of brewing and require constant learning and skill growth in order to remain competitive in the retail marketplace.
All traditional colleges and universities, as well as some online colleges, offer the Bachelor`s Degree of Science and business courses necessary for success in the brewing field. Some colleges and distance-learning facilities offer the more specialized Master Brewers` courses and diplomas. Brewing is a field calling for highly specialized knowledge in a variety of roles, but offers in return a varied, challenging and rewarding career in the demanding field of producing anything from beer to ethanol-based biofuels.
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