Senior Brewer

Bowness Bay Brewing UK; Kendal; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above national average salary

Flexible working hours

Supportive team environment

Job summary

A growing craft brewery in the UK is seeking an experienced Senior Brewer to lead production shifts and ensure quality control. The successful candidate will have 3-4 years of commercial brewing experience and a solid understanding of production processes. This role involves mentoring junior brewers, participating in recipe development, and maintaining high hygiene standards. The brewery offers competitive compensation and flexible working arrangements, making it a great opportunity for those passionate about craft brewing.

Qualifications

• 3–4+ years of hands-on commercial brewing experience.
• Proven ability to operate a brewery independently.
• Experience of wort production and full cellaring operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead shifts and day-to-day production decisions.
• Ensure quality sign-off and maintain hygiene standards.
• Participate in recipe development and beer trials.

Skills

Hands-on brewing experience

Production decision-making

Quality control

Team leadership

Detail-oriented

Education

IBD General Certificate in Brewing

Tools

Semi-automatic brewing systems

CIP systems

Job description

Senior Brewer – Bowness Bay Brewing Co., Kendal

Are you an experienced brewer ready to take the next step — without moving into a desk job? Bowness Bay Brewing is one of the Northwest's fastest-growing craft breweries, and we're looking for a Senior Brewer to become a key figure on our production floor.

This isn't a Head Brewer role and it isn't a standard brewer role. It sits squarely in between — craft-led, hands-on seniority, with real responsibility for quality, consistency and shift leadership.

ABOUT US

Based in Kendal, Cumbria, we operate a new semi-automatic four-vessel brewhouse capable of up to five brews per day. Our range includes 3 low-alcohol beers, 2 premium lagers and a core line‑up of traditional ales. We supply our beers to mainly on‑trade establishments throughout the whole of the north of England as well as Southwest Scotland. We're a team of 14, including four brewers who take what we do seriously — and enjoy doing it.

THE ROLE

As Senior Brewer you will be the most experienced operator on the floor. You'll lead shifts, take day‑to‑day production decisions independently, and act as deputy to the Head Brewer when required. You'll also play an active role in quality sign‑off, supporting junior brewers and contributing to recipe development.

You’ll work on a flexible shift pattern (early, standard and evening shifts) with flexible and compressed hours available to the right candidate.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Day-to-day production

• Operate the four-vessel brewhouse confidently and independently across all brewing stages.
• Manage fermentation and conditioning, making timely quality-based decisions without supervision.
• Carry out packaging operations including cask racking, keg filling, CIP and associated preparation.
• Maintain meticulous brewing records for batch traceability and statutory reporting.

Quality & compliance

• Take responsibility for quality sign-off on your own brews — tasting, adjusting and releasing to standard.
• Support the Head Brewer in maintaining HACCP documentation and food safety compliance.
• Identify and elevate quality or process issues promptly; propose practical solutions.
• Uphold and model the highest hygiene standards across all production areas.

Leadership & team

• Lead the brewhouse on your shift, organising workload and supporting junior brewers.
• Deputise for the Head Brewer in their absence, ensuring continuity of production and standards.
• Informally mentor less experienced team members, sharing knowledge and best practice.
• Contribute actively to team briefings, tasting panels and continuous improvement discussions.

Development

• Participate in recipe development and seasonal or speciality beer trials.
• Stay current with brewing techniques, ingredients and industry developments.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 3–4+ years of hands-on commercial brewing experience.
• IBD General Certificate in Brewing or similar (or working towards).
• Proven ability to operate a brewery independently and make confident production decisions.
• Experience of wort production and full cellaring operations.
• Sound understanding of CIP, hygiene management and food safety principles.
• A natural deputy — someone junior brewers respect and look to for guidance.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented and calm under pressure.

Desirable (not essential)

• Experience on semi-automatic or multi-vessel brewing systems.
• Familiarity with lager or low-alcohol beer production.
• Some involvement in quality control or HACCP documentation.
• Counterbalance forklift licence.
• Full, clean UK driving licence.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A salary that reflects genuine seniority — above national average and negotiated based on your experience.
• Flexible and compressed working hours — we mean this, and will make it work for the right person.
• A flexible shift pattern with real variety across early, standard and evening shifts.
• The chance to join one of the Northwest's fastest-growing breweries at a pivotal moment.
• A team that takes the craft seriously and supports each other to do it well.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your CV and a short covering note — telling us about your brewing experience and why this role appeals — to:

Please email your CV to Mr Rick Eastwood, Operations Director - email - [e-mail]