Ryan goes from roasting coffee to crafting beer

“I went to university but left for a hospitality career because it paid off quicker - and then I stayed within the industry for about 25 years,” said Ryan.

“I had a stint roasting coffee as a roasting manager, but the physical toll brought me back to hospitality. But hospitality’s long nights and weekend work mentally and emotionally exhausted me.”

“When I would finish work, I’d often drink different craft beers at Saccharomyces Beer Café in South Brisbane and thought I’d like to create beer one day. Even though I had no homebrewing experience, I was an avid consumer, analysing and enjoying different brews,” he said.

The impact of the pandemic on the hospitality industry prompted Ryan to rethink his career. So, after years of enjoying craft beer, he decided to turn his passion into a profession and train to become a brewer.

"My enthusiasm for craft beer had grown, and I wanted to understand it from a production level, so I decided to take up a course to learn how to brew," he continued.

Learning about TAFE Queensland’s Certificate III in Food Processing (Brewing)(FBP30121) course through word of mouth, Ryan enrolled to turn his fascination for brewing and his passion for beer into a professional career.

Studying full-time for six months, his Mondays were dedicated to online learning, and the rest of the week, he trained hands-on in TAFE Queensland's state-of-the-art Coopers Plains BrewLab.

Ryan learnt all the practical aspects of brewing beer and how to operate the lab's industry-standard tanks, vessels, kettles, filters, kegging and canning lines.

"The state-of-the-art equipment and industry-standard facilities enhanced my learning and gave me the confidence to step into any brewing environment," he explained.

His learning experience blew him away, and he fondly recalls the practical aspects of the course, using bespoke brewing equipment and experiencing commercial brewing techniques.

"The training was invaluable - everything is aligned with the real world, from working with industry-grade equipment like the Anton Paar alcolyzer to perfecting techniques like yeast propagation and canning," said Ryan.

His experienced teachers brought decades of brewing experience to guide the program, and their mentorship played a crucial part in Ryan’s learning process and continues to influence his work today.

Perhaps the most pivotal moment came when his teacher, Kate Stuart, connected Ryan with industry professionals, earning him his first brewing job with Chris Fletcher at Archer Brewing in Wilston, Brisbane.

"Kate was amazing, both in her teaching and her connections. While judging alongside Chris, he told her they were looking for someone to join their team. She introduced me to him, and we went for a beer afterwards, shook hands, and I was invited to check out the place on Monday, leading to my first job in the industry - I didn’t expect it to pay off so quickly," he said.

Thanks to the practical skills he honed at TAFE Queensland, Ryan hit the ground running at Archer Brewing.

"I was surprised at how prepared I felt walking into the brewery on my first day. My training lowered the barrier to entering an industry I’m passionate about, and I knew how to handle everything from basic mechanical processes to in-depth scientific concepts," he explained.

Since joining Archer Brewing, Ryan’s career has flourished as part of a team that has brewed over 50 different beer styles and won awards, including the best European-style beer at the 2024 Queensland Awards for their Archer Saison.

"Winning best European-style beer with a 100% Australian Saison was incredible. It was a challenge, but achieving that with all Australian ingredients made it even more rewarding," said Ryan.

During a recent visit to Saccharomyces Beer Café, Ryan felt that his brewing journey had come full circle, realising that he was once an enthusiastic beer drinker and now sees his creations on tap.

“I used to wonder how great beer was made, and now I sit in the same seat, enjoying my creations while watching others appreciate them. It’s incredibly satisfying to produce something I’ve loved for so long,” he said.

Ryan’s story is a testament to the power of following your passion, with TAFE Queensland offering the training and industry connections to turn dreams into reality.

He advises anyone looking to break into the industry to jump at the chance and enrol in the course - while remembering to enjoy yourself.

"If brewing is something you're passionate about, don’t be afraid to try something new, and if you take on the course, don’t fall behind on your assessments, and most importantly, enjoy the ride," concluded Ryan.