How to Get a Job at a Brewery
There are many positions in breweries, so the industry is a great career opportunity for specialists with a broad set of skills. In this article, we will discuss careers in brewing and the best ways to get into the industry.
There are many positions in breweries, so the industry is a great career opportunity for specialists with a broad set of skills. In this article, we will discuss careers in brewing and the best ways to get into the industry.
Beer is the third-most-popular drink after water and tea and has been brewed for thousands of years. In 2019, global beer production equaled 1.91 billion hectoliters and contributed $82.9 billion solely to the US, making it a vital participant in the international economy.
The brewing industry creates many jobs and attracts specialists in numerous fields. If you want to enter the industry, continue reading to learn what specialists are in demand and how to get a job at a craft brewery.
Careers in the beer industry
There are more than 580,000 brewing jobs in the US and over 2.3 million in Europe. The industry welcomes specialists with different professional backgrounds and skills. Therefore, if you wonder how to get into the brewing industry, check the most popular positions and the requirements to choose your vocation. The salaries are provided by Payscale.
Brewer
A brewer is a specialist responsible for brewing and day to day processes. The general responsibilities include brewing and packaging beer according to the schedule, keeping facilities functional and clean, assisting operations managers with inventory management, and monitoring fermenting quality. You can start as an assistant and, over time, become a head brewer.
- Degree: A high school diploma. A college degree in a related field or a formal brewing education is desired but not required.
- Requirements: Knowledge of recipe development, strong administration and communication skills, following procedures and guidelines, ability to prepare reports.
- Average hourly pay: $15.31
Microbiologist
The brewing industry is in constant demand for microbiologists who can improve the quality and taste of this beverage. They are trained to use different scientific tools to study and monitor bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The most important task of a brewery microbiologist is to ensure there are no harmful microbes in the product. If you have relevant qualifications and experience, the brewery industry may offer multiple opportunities and challenging projects.
- Degree: A degree in microbiology, biological science, microbial science, or related field. Hazard reduction and quality control qualifications like HACCP and RIHP are a big plus.
- Requirements: Knowledge of laboratory practices, good oral and written communication skills, ability to schedule and organize laboratory tests, attention to detail.
- Average salary: $54,709
Sales Manager
If you are interested in getting a job at a brewery with no experience applying for a sales manager position may be a good idea. A sales manager at a brewery works closely with distributors and sells and promotes the company’s beer. These specialists are frequently on the go and often have to face heavy workloads and tight schedules to meet the sales goals.
- Degree: A high school diploma. A bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field is desired but not required.
- Requirements: Good time-management skills, stress resistance, setting sales goals, collecting and analyzing market data, analytical skills.
- Average pay: $82,039
Engineer
Engineers play an important role in the brewery industry, and the list of their responsibilities is rather broad: from building projects to maintaining systems. If you are interested in brewing and have at least basic engineering qualifications, be sure to find a good opportunity. Brewing engineers work with construction, systems, and mechanics.
- Degree: A degree in process/electrical engineering, food production, mechanics, or related engineering field. A Diploma Master Brewer qualification (Institute of Brewing) is a plus.
- Requirements: Mastership of project management software, working with steam, boilers, and HVAC systems, strong problem-solving skills, PLC programming, attention to detail.
- Average pay: $71,093
How to increase your chances of getting into the industry
It is important not only to possess the necessary skills and knowledge but also to know how to present them to enter the brewing business. That is why creating a professional resume and cover letter is essential. Below we will tell you how to write them correctly.
Resume
A resume is an application document that includes information about your education, experience, training, and skills. It aims to show recruiters that you possess the right background and proficiencies for the position. To write a good resume, keep in mind the following tips:
- Use the CAR formula. Every achievement in your resume should include the Challenge you faced, the Action you took, and the Result you achieved. Try to quantify every accomplishment to add value.
- Prioritize your content. It is important to create a customized resume that contains only relevant experience and achievements in the chosen field.
- Always proofread the text. Make sure that your resume is free from any mistakes or typos. Recruiters make their decision not only based on your qualification but also the quality of the text.
- Build a professional resume using GetCoverLetter. With our builder, you can create a customized and properly formatted resume within 15 minutes.
Cover letter
A cover letter is an advertisement where candidates try to sell themselves as valuable employers. It goes beyond a simple enumeration of your skills and work experience and concentrates on personal traits and aspirations. Here are the things to keep in mind when working on the letter:
- Pay attention to the structure. A professional cover letter contains the following parts: a header, salutation, introduction, body paragraphs, final paragraph, and closing.
- Show your value. Provide examples of your skills and proficiencies that will help you to excel in the position. Explain why you can become a valuable employee for a particular company.
- Follow the vacancy’s instructions. If the vacancy says to attach your cover letter in an email, attach it as a PDF or Microsoft Word file. If the recruiter asks to use an online application system, do so.
- Get familiar with cover letter examples. At GetCoverLetter, you can view examples of the cover letter content and design one for several different industries.
How to enter the brewing industry: useful tips
There are many reasons why people are interested in the brewing industry. Some love quality craft beer and want to learn how to make it, while others see the potential in a constantly growing market and don’t want to miss an opportunity. Regardless of why you are interested in the industry, here are some useful tips and tricks to help you get a job at a brewery.
Get an education
With an increased demand for quality beer comes a demand for qualified and professional brewers. This leads to more programs and schools that prepare specialists. If you want to learn how to get a job as a brewer and are ready to study, pay attention to training programs at the Siebel Institute of Technology, UC Davis Extension, or the American Brewers Guild. Their graduates are the most celebrated brewers in the world. You can also learn fermentation sciences at such schools as Appalachian State University and Middle Tennessee State University.
If you want to become a brewing specialist, here are continuing education opportunities that may be of great help:
- Craft Beer Trade Certificate (Central Washington University)
- Certificate of Fermentation Science (Central Michigan University)
- American Society of Brewing Chemists
- Master Brewer’s Association of the Americas
Finally, you can enroll in the Cicerone Program. It is a 3-level training program that educates specialists in areas such as beer, brewing, food pairing, beer styles, and ingredients. A certified Cicerone is a trained professional who manages sales, staff education, and day-to-day operations.
Search for offers on job boards and professional websites
One of the simplest ways to find a job at a brewery is to search for vacancies on job boards. Apart from general local websites, you can visit specialized platforms like Craft Beverage Jobs, Brewers Association, Brewbound, and Probrewer. On Craigslist, companies often publish internships and entry-level positions.
You can also try your luck on LinkedIn, where you can find groups related to craft beer. Here are some of them: Beer Jobs, Craft Beverage Jobs, and Craft Brewing Industry. You can leave comments, communicate with brewers, and stay updated on the latest vacancies. But don’t forget to keep your LinkedIn account professional.
Be ready to start at the bottom
It can be difficult to land a job at a brewery, so you should be prepared to start with an entry-level position. If you are genuinely interested in becoming a brewer or a beer sales manager but have no experience, be ready to work as a keg cleaner or an assistant brewer. Luckily, this industry promotes talent quickly. So if you are hard-working and prepared to learn, you’ll do well.
Network
Networking is one of the most effective job-search tools, especially in such a social industry as brewing. It revolves around people, so the best way to find a vacancy is to communicate (both online and offline).
Finding the right connections on the Internet is rather easy. You can be working part-time at another job and still find a few minutes to leave a comment on Instagram or Twitter. Engage with the brewery businesses and show your interest by liking their posts and communicating with other subscribers. You can also ask questions to demonstrate beer knowledge. For example, ‘What hops did you use?’
Make a list of the breweries you are interested in, follow them on social media, and regularly interact with them. Attend local events and get acquainted with the brewing influencers. Finally, make sure your friends and relatives know that you are looking to get into the industry and to keep your candidacy in mind.
Volunteer
Quite often, you can find beer events looking for volunteer assistance. You could help prepare the location, serve beer, or clean everything after the event ends. Brewers pay attention to volunteers and consider them as potential hires. Show that you can interact with people, have basic knowledge in the industry, and that you are genuinely interested in brewing. Volunteering may be a great starting point to get into the market without experience or with an employment gap.
Wrap-up
The brewing business has a large number of job opportunities both for beginners and experts. This opens up numerous possibilities and makes the competition rather tense. If you want to enter the industry and succeed, approach the process comprehensively: read the tips above, make a plan of action, write a professional resume and cover letter, and start searching for the most suitable vacancies. It may take a while, but our tips will surely make the process simpler.