Brewmaster
Also known as: beer production manager, master brewer, brewing manager, brewery manager
About this occupation
Brewmasters ensure brewing quality of current products and create mixtures for the development of new products. For current products, they oversee the whole brewing process following one of many brewing processes. For new products, they develop new brewing formulas and processing techniques or modify existing ones as to come up with potential new products.
A specialisation of chemical engineer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- beer downstream processing
- develop standard operating procedures in the food chain
- exert quality control to processing food
- fermentation processes of beverages
- create new concepts
- manage food manufacturing laboratory
- financial capability
- ingredients for beer production
- manage budgets
- train employees
- work in an organised manner
- maintain updated professional knowledge
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Food Scientists and Technologists (O*NET 19-1012.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
- Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
- Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
- Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.
- Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
- Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking
US median pay: US$88,720 a year (2025), 13,060 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Agriculture or Foods and NutritionO*NET: Food ProductionVery important (4.1)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (4.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.5)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Food Science Technicians
- Animal Scientists
- Chemists
- Agricultural Technicians
- Microbiologists
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Quality Control Analysts
- Agricultural Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.