Last updated 15:09, Friday, 27 June 2008

LAST month Futures looked at the significance of the micro breweing industry in Cumbria and how a number of individuals have created thriving businesses within it. This month we take a look at the people behind the scenes who work at producing the perfect pint. Jennings employee Rebecca Adam is not only known for her love of producing beer, she's the company's only female brewer

Rebecca Adams at Jennings: ‘The brewing industry is a small and friendly one’

AS a university graduate, Rebecca Adams looked for a career which meant she could put her chemistry degree to good use. It’s not surprising an advert for North East-based Vaux Brewery, requiring a trainee brewer, attracted her attention immediately.

Rebecca, originally from Surrey, visited Thwaites Brewery in Blackburn for initial training in the brewing process.

She went on to work in the brewing team for a number of years until she was made redundant.

“For all those years I was at Vaux Brewery I learned all there was to brewing,” explained Rebecca.

“I had sampled various roles there, from packaging to brewing and even shift work.

“But after I was made redundant I had heard there was a laboratory position here at Jennings Brewery and after confirming with the head brewer, I decided to apply for the position.

“That was seven years ago and I have loved being here and working as Jennings’ only female brewer.

“Although my role here is a little different from the last, as I work in the lab, a lot of my job is analysis-based which I hadn’t done previously in Sunderland. Instead all the samples were analysed collectively over there.

“As for now, it’s just me who works in the lab so I’m continually swapping roles between analysing and brewing.

“Being a brewer here at Jennings involves everything from ordering stock to writing new recipes, to tasting samples.”

In an ordinary day, Rebecca’s flexible role can see her doing anything from making sure equipment is prepared and taking samples during the brewing process to reporting findings back to headquarters.

“There is a lot of theory behind the practical process to brewing. For example if the water is too hot it will kill off the enzymes in the brew,” said Rebecca.

“A lot of knowledge about brewing you pick up as you go along. Obviously I had a lot of previous knowledge but I have taken brewing exams.

“People don’t realise the mix of skills needed to be a brewer; having my chemistry degree obviously helps but there are a lot of practical and engineering skills involved.

“But all of this variety that’s required in the role keeps the job interesting.

“There is a lot of job satisfaction as a brewer; seeing people have a good night out on what you’ve made is something else.

“The brewing industry is a small and friendly one. There are a lot of familiar faces and you often come into contact with brewers from around the country.

“However, the brewing industry in Cumbria is a thriving one. It’s changed from when I first started as now there is more of a chance to be successful as a micro brewery.

“There are also more opportunities for women in the brewing industry, whether that’s as a brewer or owning their own micro brewery. If you have a love of brewing there’s nothing stopping you.

“But a thriving industry must maintain quality and standards, the standards that have allowed us our reputation.

“We need to continue to produce products which are consistently good.

“Without a doubt I would recommend brewing as a career to anyone; it’s such a varied job but having a background in physics, engineering and chemistry has proved invaluable for me.”