A brewmaster is a person who creates beer. While making beer may appear to be a dream job for some, it is a highly skilled art that can be difficult, tedious, time-consuming, and even dangerous. Brewmasters work in a variety of sizes of beer factories all over the world, overseeing the entire beer-making process from start to finish.
The amount of work a brewmaster must do is largely determined the work environment and the amount of beer that must be produced. In a large production facility, such as a commercial brewery, the position may be more of a managerial one, requiring oversight of those who perform the majority of the hands-on work. A brewmaster will usually have a much more hands-on role in the process of making beer at microbreweries, where the beer is produced in much smaller quantities. Brewmasters are also considered home beer brewers and hobbyists.
The brewmaster’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the beer produced is of high quality, which includes ensuring that batches of the same beer are consistent. The process is broken down into several steps that must be followed to the letter. The process starts with gathering the necessary ingredients, some of which must be hand-picked the brewer due to the beer’s uniqueness. Malted grains, hops, yeast, woods, and fruits are just a few of the unusual ingredients that can be used.
Following that is a lengthy process of combining, boiling, cooling, storing, and bottling all of the beer’s ingredients. During most, if not all, of these steps, a more involved brewmaster is present. He or she must ensure that exact temperatures of mixtures are met, as well as the various times they must be treated and allowed to rest.
In the worst-case scenario, failure to follow proper protocol can result in beer that is unsafe to drink; this product must be discarded, and the entire process must be restarted from the beginning. The cleanliness of the brewing equipment is the most important consideration for a brewmaster. Contamination will prevent proper fermentation, especially when the beer is cold, rendering the batch useless. Improperly or impatiently brewed concoctions can also be hazardous, resulting in exploding beer bottles and other potentially dangerous situations.
A brewmaster must taste a batch of beer after it has been brewed, which many consider to be the most enjoyable part of the job. This is where their expertise really shines; they must be able to detect even the tiniest differences between batches and ensure that a one-of-a-kind brew has the flavors, colors, and other characteristics that he or she envisioned. Beer tasting can also be used to gather feedback on a product allowing customers to try it.
Many brewmasters seek out new ideas and business advice from other beer professionals. Others work as trainers and teachers, teaching people how to brew beer in both casual and professional settings. Brewmaster requirements vary brewery, but in general, years of experience are required. Some schools offer certifications that can help an aspiring brewer find work as a brewmaster’s assistant, where he or she can begin gaining the experience needed to work independently.