We’re hiring a Head Brewer!

Queer Brewing is a small, independent craft brewery and brand based in East London. Founded in 2019, we began as a collaboration project with raising funds for LGBTQ+ charities and providing visibility and representation for LGBTQ+ folk in and around beer at the core of our mission. Since 2021 we’ve been brewing our core range, specials, and collaborations at a number of breweries around the country, and storing and sending beer out from our warehouse and office in Leyton.

In 2022 we expanded our team from founder Lily and creative director Charlotte to three, hiring our first account manager. The team has since grown to four with the addition of a part-time warehouse fulfilment operative, and we’re now expanding further in building our own brewery.

For four years we’ve been contract brewing with our friends around the country, but after a difficult year we came to the conclusion that, at our size and at this point in the life of the business, contract brewing is no longer a tenable means of production. As such, we’ve taken on the unit next door to our warehouse, and we’re installing a purpose-built 30hL brewery.

We’re looking for a Head Brewer to lead this brewery, taking on our existing portfolio of core, seasonal, and one-off beers and developing them further. We’re the only brewery of our kind in the UK, and have become known for delicious hoppy pales and IPAs, well-executed lagers, and a small but highly-regarded number of cask ales. We’re excited by everything that having our own brewery affords us, including greater experimentation and development, as well as the ability to further refine beers we love greatly, as well as significantly greater control of our output.

As our Head Brewer, the candidate will (depending on start date) ideally be present at the commissioning of the brewhouse and will be responsible for the running and operation of the brewery from thereon. To begin with, our warehouse manager will be assisting with packaging and other tasks until we reach the point where a brewery assistant will be hired.

As Head Brewer, you will be responsible for:

  • The design, refinement, and production of all Queer Brewing beer;

  • Working with our founder Lily to explore and develop new products and ideas;

  • Managing production schedules alongside our Sales Manager to ensure consistency and continuity of core lines and availability of specials;

  • Ordering raw materials including ingredients and packaging materials;

  • Record-keeping including brewing, packaging, ingredient, stock, maintenance, lab analysis, and compliance records;

  • Brewery and packaging plant maintenance;

  • QA/QC of beer in tank and packaged beer, including external QB through third-party labs;

  • Ensuring health and safety standards are adhered to on site including: relevant training, PPE, food safety, plant maintenance and testing;

  • Ensuring the brewery is kept clean and tidy at all times;

  • Maintaining and updating HACCP and food safety programmes;

  • Accurately costing production to allow correct pricing of products;

  • Managing future production staff including leave;

  • Interviewing and hiring of new staff in tandem with the director;

  • Learning, understanding, and implementation of new brewing techniques and ingredients;

  • Monthly duty returns;

  • Scheduling and completing cellaring checks;

  • Representing Queer Brewing at trade events throughout the year.

The ideal candidate will gel well with our small team and understand what we’re about, and will share our values and goals for the company. They will also have the relevant experience and drive to help get the company to where it needs to be. We’re looking for someone who:

  • Has at least two years’ experience in a senior brewing role and is ready to take on a Head Brewer role, or at least a year’s experience as a Head Brewer;

  • Has IBD brewing qualifications (or an equivalent) and either has or is working towards their diploma in brewing;

  • Has experience in brewery management, from software to SOPs and anything in between;

  • Has experience driving a forklift;

  • Is comfortable working alone when required;

  • Is full of ideas for new beers and has a willingness to refine existing recipes.

In return, we can offer a friendly, supportive, and caring workplace working alongside passionate and driven people, and a great work-life balance. You will be entitled to:

  • Competitive salary of £38,000 per annum for 40 hours per week;

  • 21 days’ holiday plus bank holidays;

  • Company pension scheme;

  • A beer allowance.

To apply to be our new head brewer, please email hello@thequeerbrewingproject.com with the subject line "Head brewer job," with your CV and a cover letter outlining why you think you’d be a good fit for this role, and why you’d like to work for Queer Brewing.

Applications close 16th of October.