Qualification finder

Brewer

Key information

  1. Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
  2. Reference: ST0580
  3. Version: 1.2
  4. Level: 4
  5. Typical duration to gateway: 18 months
  6. Typical EPA period: 3 months
  7. Route: Engineering and manufacturing
  8. Integration: None
  9. Maximum funding: £13000
  10. Date updated: 03/07/2025
  11. Approved for delivery: 22 June 2018
  12. Lars code: 294
  13. EQA provider: Ofqual
  14. Example progression routes:
  15. Review: this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

Contents

Contents

Apprenticeship summary

Overview of the role

Making beer.

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in breweries with large scale national or international production through to small micro breweries, all of which produce beer. Beer is an alcoholic beverage that is differentiated from other alcoholic beverages i.e. cider, wines and spirits on the basis of differences in the approach to production and the use of different ingredients. Beer is a fermented beverage rather than distilled and uses cereals rather than fruit as a source of fermentable sugar. Beer in the UK is produced to the lowest strength within the alcoholic beverage sector. All beers are typically made from a common set of ingredients and are produced by a brewer.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to make beer either at specific stages of the brewing process (raw material handling, brewhouse, yeast and fermentation, beer finishing and maturation, packaging, product stability and retail trade quality) or in its entirety from raw material handling to product stability and retail trade quality. Whilst well established, the brewer occupation is a diverse role which may vary considerably across the sector. As well as beer production, a brewer may also have a role in design and development of new brands and will need to react to information related to the quality and consistency of beer at various stages of production and once in final package. The brewer may also have input to the selection, design and operation of equipment and technology implemented within the brewery and which is required for processing of ingredients as well as beer production. Finally, a brewer may be required to take part in public facing activities such as product launches or beer tasting sessions.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other members of a team or they may work alone. In smaller breweries it is more likely that a brewer will be required to work with more autonomy across the entire brewing process. For larger breweries it is more likely that a brewer will be responsible for specific parts of the brewing process, working alongside or even leading a small team of production operators. In larger breweries, brewers are more likely to report to a senior brewer or director and may also be required to interact with other members of the business. For instance, to work with engineers or report on production metrics, help market existing brands or even to develop new ones.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for meeting production demands for either their stage of the brewing process or the entire brewing process, ensuring that all legislative and regulatory requirements are also achieved.

Typical job titles include:

Brewer Technical brewer

End-point assessment summary

ST0580, Brewer level 4

This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.

The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

  • fail
  • pass
  • merit
  • distinction

When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.


EPA gateway

The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.

The gateway requirements for your EPA are:

  • achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • for the practical brewing assessment underpinned by brewer log-book, the project's title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO and a project summary submitted

  • for the professional discussion underpinned by brewer log-book, you must submit a brewer log-book

Assessment methods

Observation with questions

You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 5 hours. They will ask you at least 30 questions.


Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 75 minutes. They will ask you at least 9 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a brewer log-book before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.


Who to contact for help or more information

You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.

You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.

You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments

If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.

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Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.2 Occupational standard, end-point assessment and funding band revised 30/06/2025 Not set
1.1 End-point assessment plan revised 16/05/2024 29/06/2025
1.0 Retired 22/06/2018 15/05/2024
Employers involved in creating the standard: AB-Inev, Adnams, Arran Brewery, Big Smoke Brewery, Brewhouse & Kitchen, Carlsberg Marstons, Everards, Five Points Brewery, Greene King, Heineken, Hydes Brewery, Liberation Brewery, Lincoln Green Brewery, Little Brewing Company, Asahi UK, Molson Coors, Oakham Ales, Purity Brewery, Round Corner Brewery, Seven Bro7hers Brewery, St Austell Brewery, Three Blind Mice Brewery, Wimbledon Brewery, Wye Valley Brewery

Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence

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