Brewing Technician
Max is a Brewing Operative at Tiny Rebel Brewing in Newport, Wales
I work at Tiny Rebel Brewing as a Brewing Technician. My job is to oversee the production of wort, which is the sugary water that we turn into beer by adding yeast. I also make sure the plant is clean – we’re making a food product, so cleanliness is super important.
I love that I’m always doing something different and that there’s a lot of problem-solving involved. It’s satisfying to break down a problem and figure out how to fix it. I also enjoy the teamwork, even though we’re all brewing our own beer, we’re constantly talking and helping each other out. And it’s great to see the finished product that you’ve worked hard on.
Being hands-on is a big part of the job. I use a lot of hand tools and machinery like pumps, valves, and tanks. Problem-solving is crucial because things don't always go right, and you have to figure out how to fix them. Communication is also important because we're always talking to each other and making sure everything runs smoothly.
We have a team of six, and there's a wide range of experience. Our head brewer has about 15-20 years of experience, and our head of operations is a master brewer with even more knowledge. It's great to have people around who you can ask questions and learn from. We also have new starters, and it's nice to train them and pass on what you've learned.
I really enjoy using the solenoids that control the cooling of the tanks. They wear out because they're used every day, but I've learned how to fix them, and it's satisfying to see them working properly again.
I'm really into sports. I used to do competitive swimming, and now I've taken up triathlons. I also play rugby, football, and golf - anything sports-related, I'm into it.
Don't be scared to make mistakes. I've learned invaluable lessons from the mistakes I've made. You won't move forward if you don't make mistakes. Just relax and learn from them, but don't make the same mistake twice!
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