How do you know you've found the right head or lead brewer?

Nathaniel Miller. Brewer and Brewery Owner

I thought this was an interesting question I received from subscriber Brewdaddy. I am a brewer, but I’ve also hired lots of brewers too over the years. Almost all have been enthusiastic about the job, because brewing can be a lot of fun, and not a bad way to make a paycheck.

But this question can also be approached on a deeper level. I think what this person wants to know is how do you find a brewer who you can trust to represent your brewery the way you would.

I am hoping that if you are opening a brewery and looking for a brewer, you are getting into the business because you love craft beer, and not simply to make a buck. I’ve seen both, and the ones simply in it for the money won’t have the staying power in most cases. It’s just a business venture.

People that get into the business because they love the craft will have a better insight into what they are looking for in a great brewer. You basically live and breathe beer. For me it’s all I thought about. I read everything I could on making it. My favorite book is a first edition signed copy of The Practical Brewer. There are of course newer versions I recommend. I was always exchanging information with other brewers on better ways to make beer, and trying to figure out how best to set up my equipment to make the process more efficient.

Your potential brewer should be like that. Of course they could be super cool, but they would also have a nerdy geek streak about them as well. On their own they would be part of brewers discussion groups on line. The best ones still home brew too and are always experimenting, so they still might be involved in home brewing clubs. If they are the type that polishes their tanks and keeps everything neat and orderly, that is also an indication that it’s not just a job, but that they take ownership.

You can only get so much information when you interview a potential candidate, but after hiring them, in about two or three months you will know if you’ve got the right brewer who you don’t have to keep an eye on.

It’s only possible to tell before you hire someone if you have seen them in their previous job, which in most cases isn’t possible. This brewer might not be a Siebel graduate. They could be a passionate home brewer who became an assistant brewer in another brewery. So resume is not everything.

So the bottom line to the question, for me at least, is that the brewer takes ownership of the brewery and pride in their work. That won’t happen without a passion for the craft.

As you open your brewery and you have hired a brewer, brew beer with this person as much as you can. The best brewery owners in my view know how to brew, and it will make owning a brewery much more fun as well.