Bath Ales is seeking individuals who are passionate about beer to become its first brewing apprentices.
The brewer behind Gem bitter is offering two people the chance to train at its state-of-the-art Hare Brewery, pictured, at Warmley between Bath and Bristol to learn the craft of beer production. 
As well as gaining hands-on experience in the brewery, the apprentices will develop their technical knowledge by undertaking academically based training sessions at the International Centre for Brewing Science (ICBS) at Nottingham University.
They will complete an 18-24 month Level 4 qualification – the equivalent to the first year of a bachelor’s degree.
The course, launched this February, is the first of its kind in the UK. It has been facilitated by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) in conjunction with a group of individuals who work in the UK brewing industry, including Bath Ales’ head brewer Georgina Young, who joined the firm in March from London brewer Fuller, Smith & Turner.
The successful candidates will report to Georgina, who oversees all aspects of the brewing and packaging of Bath Ales’ beer brands.
She said: We’re delighted to be opening Hare Brewery’s door to the brewers of the future. It’s so important that we offer high-quality training opportunities and look to nurture talent within our industry.
“We’re looking forward to meeting some of the shortlisted applicants – it’s a Gem of an opportunity for aspiring brewers looking for a foot in the door.”
Bath Ales, which owns city pubs The Swan, The Griffin, The Hop Pole and The Salamander, was acquired in 2016 by Cornish brewer St Austell, best known for its Tribute, Proper Job IPA and Korev lager brands.
Last year a multi-million pound investment doubled the capacity of the brewery to produce more than 50,000 brewers’ barrels of beer per year – the equivalent of over 14.5 million pints.
As well as its flagship beer Gem, Hare Brewery also makes Lansdown West Coast IPA and Bath Ales’ first lager Sulis along with a growing portfolio of seasonal and specialist beers.
To find out more about the apprenticeships visit www.bathales.com/brewingapprenticeship. Applications close on Friday August 30.
