Case studies: Technical brewer: Florent Vialan

Florent has advanced in his career, moving from France and around the UK in order to secure his current role as a director of brewing

I have worked in four different breweries, starting as a brewery worker in France only two days after my graduation. I then moved to England when I was 23 and worked as a brewer in Swindon. I got promoted quite rapidly to a second brewer. After that, I moved to Kent and worked for a smaller craft brewer for a year and half, and finally got headhunted for Purity Brewing Co as a head-brewer.

My degree in biotechnologies, food and fermenting processes was extremely relevant, as it was mainly to do with hygiene and microbiology. This included how to handle the products and standards of working.

On a typical day, if I'm brewing (which would be two to three times a week), I look after the process, recipes, fermentations and maturation. Otherwise I control the ordering of the raw materials, production plan, staff and staff training, maintenance, quality control and admin.

As I have moved up in my career, I have found myself doing less physical jobs and doing more staff training and admin. Dealing with staff and customers has been the big learning curve for me, especially on the rare occasion when we do not meet their expectations. But I do enjoy getting praise for our products from customers and colleagues.

My career ambitions are to go as far as I can go with Purity; the new fully automated brew plant and our plans for the future will allow for my development. Further down the line I would like to open my own business.

I think my job is the perfect mix of science, physical work and art. I really love the atmosphere between people, the conviviality and friendship.

Brewing is a really rewarding career but it takes a lot of hard work, and you should not expect a 9 to 5 office job. You need to consider the physicality of the role, especially as a craft brewer. Another thing to consider is that you probably will need to travel as while opportunities are all over the world, you will be lucky to find one on your doorstep.

However the result is a product that other people will enjoy and be thankful for. You do not create a liquid, you create pleasure. The balance between science, craft and art can really fulfil your personality and skills.