Malt master
Also known as: malter, malting expert, malt expert, malting master
About this occupation
Malt masters evaluate and grade different malts on a sensory basis for brewing purposes. They assess the look, the smell, and the taste of raw materials and unfinished products in order to maintain the consistency of products. They use their knowledge to prepare mixtures as part of product development.
Essential skills and knowledge
- set production facilities standards
- food and beverage industry
- create new concepts
- quality assurance methodologies
- implement marketing strategies
- operate pneumatic conveyor chutes
- manage staff
- sales promotion techniques
- types of barley
- financial capability
- consult to produce single malt beverages
- apply HACCP
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Food Science Technicians (O*NET 19-4013.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Science, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$52,130 a year (2025), 14,600 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 (3.8)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.0)
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 Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
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 Scientists and Technologists
- Chemical Technicians
- Quality Control Analysts
- Agricultural Technicians
- Agricultural Inspectors
- Quality Control Systems Managers
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
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.