TAFE SA’s Beer Brewing program is designed to help brewing enthusiasts lift their skills and knowledge to a professional level and this month people can taste the results with students taking part in the Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival at the Adelaide Showground from July 12-14.
Home brewers transitioning from hobby to career and those already working in the industry who want to expand their knowledge are among those taking up the course.
Brewing lecturer Mark Roberts says students learn best practice and gain skills essential to making beer in a craft brewery.
“The training has a great hands-on aspect and we make up to nine varieties of beer over the course,” Mark says.
“Those practical activities are backed up by theory and learning why we do things and we encourage plenty of problem solving to get people thinking and learning about solving issues back in the workplace.”
The course covers the entire brewing process through to processing and packaging and successful participants gain a Certificate III in Food Processing (Brewing).
A full-time commitment over six months, the training is delivered in a blend of classroom and online learning. Guest presentations and site visits are part of the course and Mark says students also work on a ‘collaboration brew’ with an industry group.
“Our current students are working with the SA Brewing Club to design a brew, an Extra Special Bitter, and we’ll have it on tap at the Beer and BBQ Festival in July,” he says.
Mark brings a wealth of experience to the program with a background in science and education – he has qualifications in both - and a passion for brewing.
He’s worked at West End Brewery, in the labs and the production area, and most recently as head brewer at Lady Burra Brewhouse, where he still works part-time.
“My role as brewing lecturer is a good blend of my skills; I love the science and technical side of brewing but also the craft side,” he says.
“There’s an art to finding the right taste and it’s satisfying to make something that you can enjoy and see other people enjoying too.”