Max Harris, Brewing Technician

Brewing Technician

Max is a Brewing Operative at Tiny Rebel Brewing in Newport, Wales

What I do

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.

How I became a technician

I grew up in Newport and did GCSEs in PE, geography, and graphic design. I love sport and also enjoyed maths and science, especially physics. After my A-levels in maths, physics, and PE, I went to university in Swansea to study mechanical engineering as I wanted to get into motorsport, but I lost interest and dropped out in search of something new.

I was already working at Tiny Rebel in the online shop team, and when a Brewing Technician job came up, I went for it and got the job! I started two years ago and have been learning ever since. I’ve completed a foundation course in brewing and also recently finished my general certificate in brewing.

Every day is different, which is one of the best parts of the job.

It's great to see the finished product that you've worked hard on.

A typical day in my
working life

Every day is different, which is one of the best parts of the job. I start brewing when I get in, which is about a six-hour process. There's a lot of problem-solving involved, like figuring out why the sugar levels aren't right or fixing machinery that has broken.

We work in a team of six, with each of us brewing our own beer. We also have to clean the plant and get the next shift's brews ready. It's always busy, but it's never boring!

What I love most about my job

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.

A little more about
my everyday role

The skills I use most

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.

The best bits about working in a team

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.

My favourite piece of equipment

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.

What I like to do in my spare time

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.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

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!

Find out more about this role

Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.

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