Beer Brewing Industry Career Description
The beer brewing industry is a sophisticated and large industry, which includes both the agricultural and industrial sectors. As such it plays an important part in the country's economy and is the employer of thousands of people, from factory workers to those employed in top level management.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Beer is made from malted barley, hops, maize and sugar and the agricultural sector therefore plays an important part in providing supplies of these products. The barley is cleaned, sized and malted in malting.
The most important task of the maltster is to ascertain that the barley crop is of the required standard. To malt the grain, it is first soaked in water in steep tanks until it has the proper moisture content for sprouting. The wetted barley is then placed in huge germinating compartments where the correct atmosphere is maintained by gently blowing clean air through it. When sufficient
sprouting has occurred, kilning stops the growth. The amount of heat and length of time in the kilning operation determines the colour of the finished beer.
Once the malt has been made, the brewer is able to continue the beer-making process. In the brew house the seasoned barley malt is ground in large mills. Brewers' maize is also milled. The ground barley malt and maize are delicately proportioned and mixed with water in mashing tanks. During the mashing process, strict timing and temperatures are maintained so as to convert the starches in the grains into fermentable sugars. The final alcoholic content of the beverage is therefore controlled in the mashing process. The protein-rich grains are then strained off, leaving a clear amber liquid called wort. The wort flows into brew kettles where it is blended vigorously with hops.
Once brewing is completed, the hopped wort is cooled to the most desirable temperature for the addition of fresh yeast. Experts under rigidly controlled conditions in laboratories propagate these pure culture systems. The yeast is added as the cooled wort flows into primary fermentation tanks. Here the yeast ferments the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. After a few days the beer is transferred into secondary fermentation tanks. The temperature-controlled fermentation then takes place until the specific beer has reached the right level of alcohol and sugar. The yeast is then drained off to lagering cellars where it rests for a few weeks and builds up carbonation and flavour. Once the beer reaches maturity, it flows through a final filter into filling machines. The beer is then ready for packaging and distribution.
The following functions are necessary to support all the processes involved in the brewing of beer:
Quality control
Quality control starts at the raw material stage and follows through to the distribution of the beer. Chemical and microbiological analyses and control during packaging are required to ensure that high standards are maintained during the production until the packaging and delivery.
Educational requirements: A degree or diploma in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology or Packaging is required.
Packaging
The beer is bottled, canned, pasteurised, checked, labelled, packed, palletised and stored. Incoming bottles, cans and cartons are sorted, de-crated and washed. Expensive equipment is used.
Educational requirements: A degree or diploma in Industrial Engineering is a requirement. Mechanically minded people with a B.Sc. degree may also be successful in this occupation.
Engineering
Engineers are responsible for maintaining equipment and ensuring that there are no breakdowns. The design section plans new buildings and breweries, from the structure to the machinery to be used.
Educational requirements: A degree or diploma in Engineering is required.
Operations
This department uses expensive vehicles and highly specialised systems to distribute vast amounts of beer. Beer is distributed both by road and by rail from the brewery to depots and customers.
Educational requirements: Although no specific diploma or degree is required, a B.Com. (Economics / Transport Economics) degree is a suitable qualification.
Laboratories
Brewing Consultants
This section advises on process, plant and quality issues.
Educational requirements: Extensive incompany experience is necessary to fill positions.
Chemists
This section consists of a quality assurance group which offers analytical and auditing services to the brewers, a gas chromatography group and a general analytical group responsible for updating and developing analytical methods.
Educational requirements: The minimum requirement is a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry but employers prefer candidates with a B.Sc. (Honours) degree.
Biochemists
These specialists are responsible for the development of new varieties of barley, malt and hops.
Educational requirements: A B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry or Microbiology is required.
Process innovation
This section aims to produce beer more cheaply and to improve its quality.
Educational requirements: A brewing background is a prerequisite.
Microbiologists
This section comprises a quality assurance group and a yeast research group.
Educational requirements: A B.Sc. degree in Microbiology is required.
Systems
The Systems Department renders a service to many other departments in the breweries by means of providing facilities involved in the management of hardware and software, planning and control involved in architectural issues and development which includes programming, systems analysis and project management.
Educational requirements: A degree in Computer Science or Engineering or a similar diploma .
Marketing
This department controls the advertising of beer. Representatives advise bottle stores or hotels on how best to display their wares, build consumer offtake and also how to budget and control their businesses.
Educational requirements: A B.Com. degree or similar diploma.
Planning
The Planning Department forecasts sales, plans production and determines future demands for beer.
Educational requirements: A B.Com. degree or similar diploma.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? People interested in management positions should be prepared to be transferred.
Where can I work?
Breweries employ brewers.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
No
|
