Do you like beer? Do you like making stuff? Then you’re in the right place! Whether you’re interested in home brewing as a hobby or want to become a professional brewer, you’ll find answers to important questions in this article. We’re covering everything from how to get started with a beer-making kit at home to what education and skills you need to make a career out of your passion.

How Do I Get Into Brewing at Home?

To get started brewing beer at home, you need:

• Space to brew
• Brewing equipment
• Ingredients
• Instructions

If you love beer and creating things with your own hands, then home brewing can be the perfect hobby for you! In the next section, we’ll cover how easy it is to join the hobby.

How Hard Is It To Start Brewing Beer at Home?

Fortunately, it’s never been this easy to get into the beer making process at home! With so many options, starter kits, and pieces of educational content available, you can get started brewing your own beer at home.

Two ways to set up your home brewery efficiently and cost-effectively are:

• Homebrew Starter Kits: These kits come with essential pieces of equipment—like fermenting containers, cappers, siphons, and so much more—for your home brewery. If you’re just getting started, the Basic Brewing Starter Kit is a fantastic entry point.
• Beer Ingredient Kits: These kits come with the exact amount of hops and malted grains you need for a specific recipe. You’ll also receive detailed instructions to guide you through each step of the brewing process. Looking for the perfect recipe for beginners? Try out the Chico Suave Pale Ale Beer Kit!

You can also view our blog to learn more about how to brew beer.

Can You Be A Brewer Without A Degree at Your Own Brewery?

You can become a brewer—either at home or professionally—without a degree. If your goal is to experiment with different recipes at home, then the only requirements you need to fulfill are:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Follow your state’s homebrewing laws
• Set up the proper equipment
• Gather ingredients
• Get brewing!

If your goal is to brew professionally, then the requirements and responsibilities may look like:

• Have brewing experience
• Perform quality control tests
• Monitor the fermentation process
• Maintain beer production records
• Troubleshoot equipment issues
• Keep a clean and organized workspace

Browse brewing job postings and connect with professional brewers to learn more about what specific breweries look for in candidates.

How Do You Become a Brewmaster in the Brewing Industry?

A brewmaster (or head brewer) is someone who oversees the production of beer at a commercial level, and becoming one typically requires formal training. You don’t necessarily need a four-year brewmaster degree, although many aspiring brewmasters expand their knowledge and become more competitive in the job market with degrees in food science, microbiology, and chemistry, to name a few.

Other ways to learn the ropes and juice up your resume include:

• Brewing beer at home.
• Entering local brewing competitions.
• Working at a brewery.
• Obtaining a brewmaster certification.

Like most fields, there isn’t one path to becoming a brewmaster. Learn the craft, develop your skills, get your name out there, and keep going until you land your dream job! 

Is Brewing An Art Or Science in the Craft Beer Industry?

Brewing beer—whether at home or professionally—is both a science and an art. The science is the technical aspect of brewing: the boiling temperatures, chemical interactions, carbonation periods, and more that turn wort into beer. Then there’s the art (or craft), where each brewer gets to add their own personal touch. When you’re brewing, you can tweak ingredients, flavors, fermentation methods, and other aspects of the process to create beer that’s truly unique to you. Craft brewing requires both art and science to truly work.   

Can You Make Money From Brewing?

Depending on how you choose to pursue brewing, you could end up spending a lot of money, saving some money, or earning a living. For example, some home brewers engage with the hobby as a way to save money in the long run. That’s because brewing your own beer can often be cheaper than purchasing it from a store, restaurant, or bar. Plus, you get the added satisfaction of enjoying a brew that you made yourself!

Other home brewers prioritize the pursuit of the perfect setup. This often involves the most advanced equipment, which comes at a higher cost than more affordable starter setups. However you decide to engage with home brewing, Great Fermentations has the equipment you need.

If you go into brewing as a career, the average salary is $44,701 as of August 2023 (according to salary.com). Brewmasters, with extra education and training, can earn more. Glassdoor reports that the average salary of Brewmasters is $84,881 as of June 2023.

Take the First Steps into Brewing with Great Fermentations!

For hobbyists and career brewers alike, the best way to improve your beer-making experience is to get brewing! The more batches you make and the more recipes and gear you test out, the more skilled you’ll become. You’ll also get to drink and share a lot of delicious beer along the way.

So, whether you want to brew craft beer, create a craft brewery, or just now picking up the beer brewing process as a hobby, Great Fermentations can help! Wherever you are on your brewing journey, Great Fermentations has the resources to keep you going. Explore our ingredients, equipment, and more at our online shop and Indianapolis location.