Semi, kind of, nearly new to the game.....

[FelixFire]

Hello, my name is Owain and when i left college last year for a gap year 'to travel' i got offered work in a local micro brewery. Iv decided instead of going to university i would carry on a career in brewing, although archaeology is very interesting id find it hard to gain a career in it......and beer floats my boat just as much.

So anyway, i enjoy the work i have at the moment and have since gone full time working at the brewery, learning the trade. Although i have gained alot of knowledge about how to brew from working there i don't actually get to brew due to not knowing the exact proceeder for large scale brewing and the two master brewers being in control. I have been promised to be put on a course through work if i want to, but a commitment to the business would have to be made in exchange for training. The only problem i have with this is i have always wanted to go self employed and i would LOVE to run my own little brewery. Which i would like to do in the next couple of years given certain things happen and i gain a decent amount of knowledge.

So im going to start brewing on a small scale at home to develop my knowledge and gain experience in doing the whole procedure. Iv been a member of numerous forums through time for one thing or another and have found them incredibly helpful being able to talk to other like minded passionate people and hope to gain from the knowledge and experience of people on here aswell as hopefully giving some back if i can.

This has been a plan of mine for a while and have recently rekindled my spark for it when my dad promised to invest in a kit ect as he put my sister through uni and im not going. This is on the proviso that i show him i am capable and knowledgeable about making beer. Id also be interested in making wine and cider so this forum is perfect for me.

Anyway, thats alot of writing for little useful information.

Nice to meet everyone :) :

 

[l33th4ll]

my best advice youtube videos an interesting way to watch others and gain some knowledge

 

[jamesb]

Hi owain, welcome to the forum.

There's a few of us on here who work at breweries, from micro to macro. Which one's your's?

James, Sandstone Brewery.

 

[FelixFire]

Cheers for the tip, iv been watching a few vids on there for inspiration, although a lot of it seems differnt to how they brew at work which I'm finding it hard to get my head round. Can anyone recommend a good course or books which are good? Thanks

 

[FelixFire]

Hi James how's it going?

I work for a very small micro brewery called 'the ludlow brewing company' its set to expand alot this year though!

Could you recomend any courses or books?

Thanks

Owain

 

[jamesb]

Nice beers there! I particularly like boiling well.

What sort of level are you at? The only non postgrad courses really available are the brewlab ones, and having seen the course materials for the three week course, i'm not that impressed. Any ag brewer with any proficiency would find it easy. I would however, be interested in a couple of the niche day courses though.

Books... Plenty. Try Brewing science by george fix for a first off. Nothing makes a difference like experience with kit and ingredients though.

 

[evanvine]

Welcome to the Forum FF, I wish you well in your venture.
I am sure we would like to be kept up to date with your progress.

 

[Moley]

I have been promised to be put on a course through work if i want to, but a commitment to the business would have to be made in exchange for training. The only problem i have with this is i have always wanted to go self employed and i would LOVE to run my own little brewery. Which i would like to do in the next couple of years given certain things happen and i gain a decent amount of knowledge.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me, what sort of commitment are they expecting?

I've tried self-employment, survived for 12 years and got out on my own terms, but it's probably not something to rush into.

Don't get me wrong though, anyone who can make a living out of a hobby is very fortunate.

Welcome to the forum, there's a wealth of knowledge and experience on here, and good luck with your plans.

 

[Tony]

Nice to meet you FF!
:

Edit: Oh .. something for free, it's a bit outdated in places as it's only the first edition which has remained free... but it's not a bad place to start!
http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html

 

[Aleman]

OK Remember that brewing commercially is 5% Brewing and 95% business, get yourself a copy of The Microbrewers Handbook by Ted Bruning, for the low down on how to (and how not to) go commercial. There are an awful lot of craft micros starting up all the time . . . they don't tell you how many go but each year though

Brewing wise A Guide to Craft Brewing by John Alexander . . . Great Brewing book UK Based and accurate . . . even if he does use a dozen words where one will do and tyhe index leaves a lot to be desired. . . More theoretical Brewing Second Edition by Lewis and Young. For the most important part of brewing Yeast, The practical side to beer fermentation by Chris White and Jamil Zainasheff . . . Another good book is Beer:Tap into the Art and science of brewing by Charlie Bamforth . . . Who also has another good book on beer flavours . . . Charlie is a Brit and is Professor of Brewing at Berkley or somewhere in the US.

And whatever you do steer clear of anything by Papazian or John Palmer

 

[FelixFire]

Thanks James, i have a basic knowledge to be honest, but i would rather be treated as if i know nothing to re enforce my current knowledge and cover anything i may have not picked up on. At work im more involved in general bits and pieces like cleaning the vats, helping deliver, doing invoices/paperwork, preping barrels for racking ect. I do touch on the brewing side with measuring grain and flour ect. The problem i have found with courses is there vague in the descriptions of what they cover and they tend to be in the London area or Scotland, which is fine if i do it for work but it A LOT of money if its just out of my own pocket!

And thanks everyone for the help with books ill get on Amazon and order some.

 

[evanvine]

And whatever you do steer clear of anything by Papazian or John Palmer

Tony
you must have spent some time and effort in research to produce this very informative post!
I've just used your last comment to pinpoint it.
Yes, I'm very pleased you're still with us. :thumb: