Career guide

Brewer and distiller: career guide and training

As a brewer and distiller you produce alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine and jenever.

What will you do?

You may work as a beer brewer, a distiller of spirits or a winemaker. You prepare products for fermentation, dose the raw materials and follow up the alcoholic fermentation closely. You develop blends and cuvees, take samples and check the quality of the product.

  • Prepare products for fermentation and dose the raw materials
  • Follow up the alcoholic fermentation
  • Develop blends and cuvees
  • Take samples and check product quality
  • Rack the product after fermentation, then bottle and label it
  • Maintain the workstation and work with respect for the environment

Skills to develop

  • Knowledge of fermentation and production processes
  • Accurate dosing and quality control
  • Knowledge of food safety and hygiene rules
  • A well-developed sense of taste and smell
  • Orderly and clean way of working

Your foundation for this occupation

Understand ingredients, fermentation and clean equipment. Brewing and distilling share fermentation knowledge but use different downstream processes.

From preparation to your first day

  1. Develop the practical skills

    Follow brewing or distillation on training equipment under supervision. Learn to interpret measurements and document a batch correctly.

  2. Check your work

    Compare readings, aroma and flavour with product specifications. Handle pressure, hot liquid and alcohol according to workplace procedures.

How can you grow?

Specialise in brewhouse work, fermentation, distillation or sensory quality before progressing to recipe development and production management.

Frequently asked questions

Is the work mainly tasting?

Tasting is one check. Cleaning, process monitoring, measurements and records occupy much of the job and make repeatable quality possible.

Sources and training

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