Job Description
Senior Brewer – Bowness Bay Brewing Co., Kendal
Are you an experienced brewer ready to take the next step — without moving into a desk job? Bowness Bay Brewing is one of the Northwest's fastest-growing craft breweries, and we're looking for a Senior Brewer to become a key figure on our production floor.
This isn't a Head Brewer role and it isn't a standard brewer role. It sits squarely in between — craft-led, hands-on seniority, with real responsibility for quality, consistency and shift leadership.
ABOUT US
Based in Kendal, Cumbria, we operate a new semi-automatic four-vessel brewhouse capable of up to five brews per day. Our range includes 3 low-alcohol beers, 2 premium lagers and a core line-up of traditional ales. We supply our beers to mainly on-trade establishments throughout the whole of the north of England as well as Southwest Scotland. We're a team of 14, including four brewers who take what we do seriously — and enjoy doing it.
THE ROLE
As Senior Brewer you will be the most experienced operator on the floor. You'll lead shifts, take day-to-day production decisions independently, and act as deputy to the Head Brewer when required. You'll also play an active role in quality sign-off, supporting junior brewers and contributing to recipe development.
You'll work on a flexible shift pattern (early, standard and evening shifts) with flexible and compressed hours available to the right candidate.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Day-to-day production
* Operate the four-vessel brewhouse confidently and independently across all brewing stages.
* Manage fermentation and conditioning, making timely quality-based decisions without supervision.
* Carry out packaging operations including cask racking, keg filling, CIP and associated preparation.
* Maintain meticulous brewing records for batch traceability and statutory reporting.
Quality & compliance
* Take responsibility for quality sign-off on your own brews — tasting, adjusting and releasing to standard.
* Support the Head Brewer in maintaining HACCP documentation and food safety compliance.
* Identify and escalate quality or process issues promptly; propose practical solutions.
* Uphold and model the highest hygiene standards across all production areas.
Leadership & team
* Lead the brewhouse on your shift, organising workload and supporting junior brewers.
* Deputise for the Head Brewer in their absence, ensuring continuity of production and standards.
* Informally mentor less experienced team members, sharing knowledge and best practice.
* Contribute actively to team briefings, tasting panels and continuous improvement discussions.
Development
* Participate in recipe development and seasonal or speciality beer trials.
* Stay current with brewing techniques, ingredients and industry developments.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Essential
* 3–4+ years of hands-on commercial brewing experience.
* IBD General Certificate in Brewing or similar (or working towards).
* Proven ability to operate a brewery independently and make confident production decisions.
* Experience of wort production and full cellaring operations.
* Sound understanding of CIP, hygiene management and food safety principles.
* A natural deputy — someone junior brewers respect and look to for guidance.
* Highly organised, detail-oriented and calm under pressure.
Desirable (not essential)
* Experience on semi-automatic or multi-vessel brewing systems.
* Familiarity with lager or low-alcohol beer production.
* Some involvement in quality control or HACCP documentation.
* Counterbalance forklift licence.
* Full, clean UK driving licence.
WHAT WE OFFER
* A salary that reflects genuine seniority — above national average and negotiated based on your experience.
* Flexible and compressed working hours — we mean this, and will make it work for the right person.
* A flexible shift pattern with real variety across early, standard and evening shifts.
* The chance to join one of the Northwest's fastest-growing breweries at a pivotal moment.
* A team that takes the craft seriously and supports each other to do it well.
HOW TO APPLY
Send your CV and a short covering note — telling us about your brewing experience and why this role appeals — to:
Please email your CV to Mr Rick Eastwood, Operations Director - email - rick@bownessbaybrewing.co.uk