| Brew Master Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Job Outlook | 0.2% |
Brewing beer is a science.
And there is no one more experienced at this exciting task than a Brew Master.
Although it may seem that loving everything about beer is the qualifier to landing this job, there are several tasks that need to be completed in order to create this popular beverage.
Brew Masters are constantly working to keep their environment and beer ingredients clean.
Not only is this important in order to for public safety, but also to create beer that is high quality and tasteful.
Beer has to go through a complicated process in order to render it palatable and safe to consume.
A Brew Master is in charge of this task as well other additional tasks that help keep a brewery operating in a safe and clean manner.
These professionals spend their time creating the perfect brew for consumers with varied tastes.
If you dream of working at a brewery for a living and want to become a Brew Master , continue reading below.
You will find information regarding education requirements, a general job description, salary and wage information and the projected job outlook for this industry.
Table of Contents
Education Requirements to Become a Brew Master
There are several ways a candidate can become a Brew Master.
There are traditional formal education programs that offer the opportunity to learn this trade.
But candidates can also learn all their necessary skills to become a Brew Master as a hobby.
There are several types of schools that offer programs to become a Brew Master.
In addition, potential Brew Masters may attend a traditional educational program to acquire an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
Students choosing to get an Associate’s or Bachelor’s from an institution not offering a Brew Master program can major in mathematics or chemistry.
If your school doesn’t offer a Brew Master degree or a related career track, consider taking courses in fermentation science, distilling and filtering to strengthen your background for this career.
These candidates can supplement their education and learn how to make beer by taking some online courses or practicing brewing beer as a hobby.
Schools that offer training as a Brew Master may offer classes online or in the traditional classroom setting.
Traditional schools that offer these courses include The University of California at Davis and The University of Wisconsin.
Online schools that offer Brew Master curriculum outnumber traditional schools.
Students can join a program offered by the American Brewer’s Guild or the Institute for Brewing Studies which also offers a list of recommended Brew Master Schools.
Students studying this career not only need to talent to create new recipes for brews, but they must also be able to thoroughly understand the distilling and cleaning process that beer needs to undertake before being offered to the general public.
Brew Master Job Description
In short, a Brew Master makes beer.
However, because brewing beer is a complicated process, these professionals have to follow a specific routine in order to provide a brew that is tasteful and safe to drink.
A Beer Master is responsible for choosing and measuring the right ingredients, creating or following a recipe and managing the fermentation process.
A Brew Master also spends a good chunk of their time cleaning.
They must clean their work environment, beer making equipment and the ingredients used to make beer in order to ensure that consumers receive a product that is safe to consume.
Distilling and cleaning the ingredients used to make beer is a big part of the process in brewing and producing it.
In addition, Brew Masters will monitor the fermentation process and use recipes that will give the beer a unique taste that their clients will enjoy.
Brew Master Salary and Career Path
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides wage and salary information for the Beverage and Tobacco industries as a whole.
Brew Masters are categorized as separating, filtering and clarifying operators and tenders.
In 2008, these professionals made an average annual income of $39,900 per year.
There are approximately 1,500 brewing facilities located nationally.
Large breweries in the United States tend to be located in specific regions in the country.
Candidates looking for employment with a large brewery may have to relocate as larger facilities are located in Texas, Colorado and California.
The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.
National Average Salary
$35,920Average Salary by State
| State | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,010 |
| Alaska | $47,980 |
| Arizona | $39,140 |
| Arkansas | $29,940 |
| California | $46,250 |
| Colorado | $39,580 |
| Connecticut | $45,330 |
| Delaware | $41,190 |
| District of Columbia | $45,440 |
| Florida | $34,870 |
| Georgia | $33,130 |
| Hawaii | $45,470 |
| Idaho | $32,810 |
| Illinois | $36,660 |
| Indiana | $32,960 |
| Iowa | $32,790 |
| Kansas | $30,650 |
| Kentucky | $30,890 |
| Louisiana | $28,060 |
| Maine | $39,370 |
| Maryland | $40,930 |
| Massachusetts | $46,730 |
| Michigan | $34,610 |
| Minnesota | $40,320 |
| Mississippi | $25,290 |
| Missouri | $32,350 |
| Montana | $35,200 |
| Nebraska | $34,060 |
| Nevada | $40,230 |
| New Hampshire | $41,670 |
| New Jersey | $42,190 |
| New Mexico | $33,160 |
| New York | $43,950 |
| North Carolina | $33,070 |
| North Dakota | $38,650 |
| Ohio | $34,790 |
| Oklahoma | $27,420 |
| Oregon | $41,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,750 |
| Rhode Island | $44,150 |
| South Carolina | $30,620 |
| South Dakota | $34,280 |
| Tennessee | $31,160 |
| Texas | $32,030 |
| Utah | $36,860 |
| Vermont | $38,940 |
| Virginia | $36,830 |
| Washington | $47,740 |
| West Virginia | $29,680 |
| Wisconsin | $36,850 |
| Wyoming | $34,650 |
| Guam | $29,310 |
| Puerto Rico | $26,370 |
| Virgin Islands | $31,560 |
The top earning state in the field is Alaska, where the average salary is $47,980.
These are the top 5 highest-paying states in the field:
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a brew master?
A brew master is someone who makes beer.
Brew masters are responsible for selecting the ingredients, creating the recipes, preparing beer mixtures, and supervising the fermenting process.
They work for breweries and supervise the brewing team at every step of the production process to make sure that the beer comes out perfectly.
Brew masters need chemistry and biology knowledge in order to understand and supervise the fermentation process.
Along with technical knowledge, brew masters also need good leadership and business skills.
How much does a brew master make?
Brew masters earn, on average around $30,000-$50,000 a year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly wage for employees in breweries was $969 in 2016.
The exact salary depends on the employer and the brew master’s level of experience.
How much does it cost to become a brew master?
Although there are no educational requirements, obtaining a certification or a degree in the field can help you learn the technical aspects of making beer.
Holding a bachelor’s degree or a certificate in brewing, microbiology, food science, fermentation, or chemistry can demonstrate your knowledge and technical abilities to potential employers.
Certificate and apprenticeship programs cost between $1,000-$10,000, depending on the school and the program’s duration.
If you want to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the field and the college you choose doesn’t offer a program in craft beverages, you could get your degree in chemistry.
Chemistry programs are available at many colleges and cost, on average, around $41,000 a year.
Tuition costs vary depending on the college and the program you choose.
What is the demand for brew masters?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the brewing industry is expanding quickly.
Employment in the brewing sector reached 58,580 in 2016.
Breweries accounted for more than half of the employment growth in the beverage manufacturing industry between 2006 and 2016.
As more breweries open, the demand for brew masters will grow.
However, in order to be sure that you get the best chances of finding a good job in a brewery you should consider getting some formal education in the field.
How long does it take to become a brew master?
A certificate or a degree program in brewing, chemistry or a related field may equip you with the skills necessary to begin a career in this field.
Certificates and apprenticeships programs can last between a few weeks and a few months, depending on the school and the program you choose.
Two-year associate’s programs and four-year bachelor’s programs are also offered at some colleges.
Graduate programs are also available for those who want a more in-depth understanding of the brewing industry.
Most schools require that students be over 21 before enrolling in courses that may involve tasting the beer.
On-the-job training is another great way of learning the technical aspects of making beer.
Finding an entry-level job at a brewery will help you gain experience in the field and learn from an experienced master brewer.
