Brewers create, produce and test beers and other alcoholic drinks. They can work in large-scale industrial breweries or small, boutique micro-breweries. They are in charge of selecting the ingredients for a drink, mixing and brewing them correctly, and testing the product before it goes out to the public.
If you are patient, have an interest in chemistry and food, like to experiment, and are prepared to put in some manual work, a career as a Brewer could be ideal for you.
About you:
- Creative and inventive
- Patient and hard-working
- Good problem solver
- Knowledge of basic food technology
- Good communicator and team leader
- Great sense of taste
- Good sense of personal hygiene
- Fit and prepared for hands-on work
The job:
- Creating recipes for new drinks
- Analysing samples during the brewing process
- Sourcing ingredients
- Testing products before they go to market
- Operating machinery and equipment
- Keeping workspaces and tools clean and sanitary
- Designing packaging and branding for products
- Maintaining and servicing equipment
- Supervising and directing other staff
Lifestyle Impact: Moderate
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- Part Time opportunities: Low – 85% of Brewers work full-time (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
- Average hours for full-time workers: 44 hours a week, which is around average (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
- Brewers’ salary (average) $62,000* per year (Source: glassdoor.com.au). *Salaries vary depending on your skills and experience.
- Future career growth: Very strong (Source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
- You will likely need to do some manual work, so being fit and healthy is an advantage.
Brewers are most in demand in these locations:
This is a very small industry, with only around 1,200 workers in 2021 (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au). Job openings can be competitive. There are opportunities available across the country, with the most in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, and above-average demand in South Australia and Tasmania.
You may be able to perform some duties remotely, but it is likely that most of your work will need to be done on-site.
How to become a Brewer in Australia
You don’t need any formal qualifications to become a Brewer in Australia, but having some could open up more opportunities for you.
Step 1 – Consider completing your high school certificate and take subjects such as Maths and Chemistry.
Step 2 – Start brewing at home and start learning the basics of the trade. Get work experience in a brewery if possible. Do a short course or workshop.
Step 3 – Consider undertaking a relevant VET qualification to boost your prospects.
This could include courses such as a Certificate IV in Food Science and Technology, or a Certificate IV in Food Processing.
If you want to take your studies to the next level, you could also consider a university-level course such as a Bachelor of Science majoring in Food Technology, or a Graduate Diploma of Brewing.
Step 4 – Apply for a job in a commercial brewery, where you can expand on your skills and learn how to manufacture beverages on a large scale.
Step 5 – Consider starting up your own boutique brewery and making your own craft beverage.
Find out more here –
https://australiancraftbeer.org.au/
Similar Careers to Brewer
Winemaker
Food Scientist
Nutritionist
Find out more about alternative careers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do Brewers do?
Brewers are responsible for the creation and manufacture of alcoholic beverages such as beer and cider.
Which industries employ Brewers?
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Brewers are most commonly found in the Manufacturing industry.
Do I need to go to university to become a Brewer?
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No. You don’t need a qualification to work as a Brewer in Australia, but having one can improve your prospects and open up more opportunities.
Where do Brewers work?
Brewers most commonly work in breweries and factories. These could be either small micro-breweries, up to large-scale commercial breweries.
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What are 3 things I can do right now to help me become a Brewer?
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If you’re in high school and you’d like to find out if a career as a Firefighter is right for you, here’s a few things you could do right now:
- Develop your passion for food and science. Get stuck in and learn as much as you can about the science behind the brewing process. You could even take a short course or workshop.
- See if you can get work experience at a local brewery. This is a great way to start networking and making connections for the future.
- Start trying to brew your own drinks at home. Refine the process and even experiment if you’re brave enough. See if you can get friends and family to test out your creations.
