17 Assistant Brewer Interview Questions and Answers

The title “assistant brewer” is a bit misleading. While it’s true that assistant brewers do help brewmasters with the brewing process, they also have a lot of responsibilities of their own. In small breweries, assistant brewers may be responsible for the entire brewing process, from start to finish. In larger breweries, they may be responsible for specific tasks, such as operating the brewing equipment, monitoring the fermentation process, or packaging the finished product.

No matter what size brewery you’re applying to, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions during the interview process. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of common assistant brewer interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the brewing process?

Brewing is a complex process that requires an understanding of chemistry, biology and engineering. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary knowledge to perform your job duties. In your answer, explain what steps are involved in brewing beer. Share any experience you have with the brewing process.

Example: “Brewing involves many different processes. First, brewers need to create a recipe for their beer. They then measure out all of the ingredients needed for the brew. Next, they add the malt to hot water to release enzymes. This converts the starch into fermentable sugars. Then, brewers cool the liquid so yeast can be added. The yeast turns sugar into alcohol. After fermentation, the brewer adds hops to give it flavor. Finally, the beer is filtered and carbonated.”

What are some of the most important skills for an assistant brewer to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and qualifications to be successful in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills that relate to the job description.

Example: “The most important skill for an assistant brewer is communication. This person needs to be able to communicate with other brewers, managers and customers about their beer recipes and brewing processes. Another important skill is creativity. I believe that being creative helps me come up with new ideas for beers and ways to improve existing ones. Finally, I think attention to detail is also very important because it ensures all of our beers are brewed correctly.”

How would you handle a situation where the head brewer is out sick and you have to fill in for them?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle responsibility and your ability to take charge when needed. Use examples from past experiences where you had to step up in a leadership role or fill in for someone else’s responsibilities.

Example: “In my last position, the head brewer was out sick one day, so I filled in for them. I made sure to communicate with other brewers about what they were working on that day and helped them if they needed it. I also checked in with the servers to make sure they had everything they needed. The team worked together well, and we all got through the day without any issues.”

What is your experience with cleaning and sanitizing brewing equipment?

Brewing equipment requires regular cleaning and sanitizing to ensure the quality of the beer produced. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with this important task. In your answer, explain how you clean and sanitize brewing equipment. Share any tips or tricks that you use to complete these tasks more efficiently.

Example: “I am very familiar with the process of cleaning and sanitizing brewing equipment. I’ve been doing it for five years now, so I know what methods work best. For example, I always start by washing all the equipment in hot water. Then, I move on to sanitizing. I find that using a mixture of bleach and water is the most effective way to kill bacteria. However, I only do this after each batch.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to make a decision that affected the entire brewing process.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether or not you have experience making important choices. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your decision-making skills, problem-solving abilities and leadership qualities.

Example: “In my last position as assistant brewer, I was responsible for overseeing the entire brewing process. One day, our head brewer had to leave early due to an emergency. This left me in charge of the entire operation. At first, it was a little overwhelming because I had never been in this situation before. However, I took a deep breath and assessed the situation. I decided that we would continue with the current batch of beer and brew another batch later in the evening.”

If we hired you as an assistant brewer, what would be your ideal role within the brewery?

This question can help the interviewer determine your career goals and how you plan to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific role that is similar to assistant brewer but also highlight any skills or experience that would make you a good fit for that position.

Example: “I think I would thrive as an assistant brewer because of my passion for beer and brewing. However, if I were hired here, I would love to work my way up to head brewer. I have been working on perfecting my craft for years now, and I feel like I am ready to take on more responsibility in the brewery.”

What would you do if you noticed a problem with one of the batches you were brewing?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to challenges and solve problems. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to communicate clearly and commitment to quality work.

Example: “If I noticed a problem with one of the batches I was brewing, I would first try to identify what caused it. If I could fix the issue myself, I would do so immediately. If not, I would alert my supervisor or brewer as soon as possible. They may ask me to document the issue in case they need more information later. After documenting the issue, I would start working on another batch until my supervisor told me otherwise.”

How well do you work with others? Can you follow the instructions of a more experienced brewer?

Assistant brewers often work with other members of the brewing team, including experienced brewers. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate and communicate effectively with your coworkers. Use your answer to show that you are a team player who is willing to learn from more experienced brewers.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with others. In my last role as an assistant brewer, I worked closely with my lead brewer to develop new recipes for our beers. My lead brewer was always available to answer any questions I had about the brewing process. She also gave me plenty of opportunities to try different tasks on my own so that I could gain valuable experience.”

Do you have any questions for us about the assistant brewer position?

This question gives you the opportunity to show your interest in the job and learn more about it. Before your interview, make a list of questions that will help you understand what the role entails and how you can succeed in it. Some examples include:

What are some challenges I might face as an assistant brewer? The responsibilities of this position may be different depending on the brewery. Consider asking about any unique aspects of the job so you can prepare for them. Example: “I’ve noticed that you have a lot of seasonal beers. I’m excited to get started with those because they’re my favorite type of beer to brew. However, I know that seasonal beers require extra work to create. If there’s anything I should know about working with seasonal beers, I’d love to hear about it.”

When do you plan on retiring and leaving your position as head brewer?

This question is a way for employers to see if you have plans of staying with their company long-term. They want someone who will be committed to the job and stay with them for many years. Your answer should show that you plan on being in this position for quite some time. You can talk about your future goals or how much you enjoy working at the brewery.

Example: “I don’t think I’ll ever retire from brewing. It’s something I love doing, so I hope to do it as long as possible. I would like to continue working here until I’m an old man. I’d like to teach others what I know when I get older and let my son take over.”

We want to improve our bottling process. What suggestions do you have for us?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and how you can help the company improve its processes. When answering this question, think about bottling challenges you’ve faced in previous roles and what solutions you implemented.

Example: “In my last role as assistant brewer, we had a bottleneck when it came to bottling because of our equipment. We were able to solve this issue by purchasing new equipment that allowed us to bottle more efficiently. I would recommend doing the same thing here. You could also consider hiring another person to work with you on bottling so you don’t have to rush.”

Describe your experience with using industrial-sized bottle fillers.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with working in a brewery and how you might fit into their company. Use examples from your previous job to describe what you did, how often you used the equipment and any challenges you faced using it.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for filling kegs of beer that were delivered by trucks. The process involved connecting hoses between the truck’s delivery system and our bottle filler. This required me to use a forklift to move the pallets holding the kegs onto the conveyor belt leading up to the bottle fillers. Once the kegs reached the top, I would connect them to the hose and begin filling the bottles.”

What makes you stand out from other assistant brewers who are applying for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of the skills that set you apart from other applicants. Choose two or three skills that are most important for this role and explain why they make you qualified.

Example: “I have five years of experience as an assistant brewer, so I know what it takes to succeed in this position. However, my passion for beer is what makes me stand out from other applicants. I love learning new techniques and experimenting with different ingredients to create unique brews. My creativity has helped our brewery win awards at local competitions.”

Which brewing methods do you prefer?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and skill. It also helps them understand what you enjoy doing most in a brewery setting. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention two or three methods that you are familiar with and have used before.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily as an assistant brewer for the past five years, so I’m quite comfortable working with all brewing methods. However, my favorite method is cold brew because it’s a unique process that requires a lot of attention to detail. I also really enjoy using decoction mashing because it allows me to create complex flavors in beer.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of cleaning and sanitizing brewing equipment?

Brewing equipment is a crucial part of the brewing process, and it’s important to keep it clean and sanitized. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you understand how to properly clean and sanitize equipment. In your answer, explain what steps you take when cleaning and sanitizing brewing equipment.

Example: “I think that sanitation is one of the most important aspects of brewing because it ensures that the beer doesn’t have any bacteria or other contaminants in it. I always make sure to thoroughly clean all surfaces of the equipment before sanitizing it. I use hot water and soap to remove any debris from the equipment, then I rinse it with cold water. After that, I sanitize the equipment by spraying it with an approved sanitizer.”

How often should brewing equipment be cleaned?

Brewing equipment needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure the quality of the beer produced. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how often to clean brewing equipment and what steps to take when cleaning it. In your answer, explain that you would clean brewing equipment after every batch or at least once a week. Explain that you will use sanitizing solutions to clean all surfaces and sterilize any tools used during the brewing process.

Example: “Brewing equipment should be cleaned after each batch is brewed. I also recommend cleaning equipment at least once per week. This ensures that there are no bacteria in the equipment that could affect the taste of the beer. When cleaning equipment, I always use sanitizing solutions to kill any germs on the surface. Then, I sterilize any tools that were used during the brewing process.”

There is a problem with the water in our area. How would you adjust our brewing process to account for the water’s impurities?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt. Your answer should show that you can think critically, evaluate the situation and make adjustments as needed.

Example: “I would first test the water in our area to see what impurities are present. Then I would adjust my brewing process accordingly. For example, if there is too much iron in the water, I might use less hops or add more yeast to help balance out the flavor. If there is not enough calcium in the water, I might add it during the brewing process.”