Kieren goes from Designer to Brewer

While working as an in-house designer at a Gold Coast restoration company, his love for craft beer grew - but his early homebrewing attempts were far from perfect.

When his hobby turned into a full-fledged passion, he took a leap of faith, enrolling at TAFE Queensland - a decision that led him to a brewing career at the award-winning Burleigh Brewing Company.

“When my wife, Kristen, gave me a 35L Brewzilla all-grain brewing system for my 39th birthday, I was determined to master the craft,” Kieren explained.

“I started researching brewing techniques but quickly realised I needed structured training.”

That’s when Kristen discovered TAFE Queensland’s Certificate III in Food Processing (FBP30121) brewing course in Brisbane at just the perfect time, as he was ready to change careers after 10 years in graphic design.

Delivered onsite at the Mt Gravatt nano brewery and the state-of-the-art Queensland BrewLab microbrewery at the Coopers Plains Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Kieren learned the skills and knowledge from industry professionals to turn his passion into his profession.

Each class provided a deep dive into all things beer. In just six months, the program covered brewing history, ingredients, techniques, styles, science, laws, sustainability, and - most importantly - practical hands-on brewing experience.

Alongside his classmates, Kieren milled grain, brewed beer, inoculated wort, transferred and packaged their brews, and gained real-world insights from his teachers, experienced brewers Matt and Stu.

“The teachers went out of their way to prepare us for the industry, sharing real-world knowledge and skills,” Kieren recalled.

“One of the most rewarding experiences was using the Brewlab kit to take a Frothrookies recipe from concept to packaged product.”

Feeling his confidence grow with each lesson, Kieren graduated with the skills, knowledge, and industry connections needed to break into the brewing world.

Burleigh Brewing Company was the first brewery he had ever visited as a customer – and thanks to the course, it’s now his workplace.

After his wife, Kristen spotted a job listing for an entry-level Brewery Assistant position, she encouraged him to apply.

“I sent my resume in, not expecting much, but then I got a call for an interview,” said Kieren.

“After a great chat with the team, I was invited back for a second interview with the owners. A few days later, I got the call - I got the job!” he explained.

Now an Assistant Brewer, his TAFE Queensland training made his transition into his new job and dream career smooth.

His daily responsibilities include preparing and milling grain, cleaning equipment, monitoring brewing conditions, and occasionally bottling and kegging – helping the independent brewery win on the global stage.

Burleigh Brewing was the only Australian brewery featured at the recent World Beer Championships, collecting two gold medals for its Japan Black and Bighead brews.

“Being able to pitch in where I could help the team out in producing a world championship beer is a truly awesome feeling. Everyone at Burleigh Brewing plays a part in the process, and it really is a team effort,” said Kieren.

“So much of what we do at Burleigh Brewing was covered in the course - on a much larger scale. On my first few days, I was in the lab taking pH readings and measuring gravity with a DMA 35 - things I had already learned at TAFE Queensland.”

Looking ahead, he envisions himself as the head brewer of a small, hidden gem of a brewery - one with incredible beer, great food, and a loyal following.

In the meantime, he takes pride in contributing to Burleigh Brewing’s award-winning success, knowing every team member plays a role in creating world-class beer.

His advice to aspiring brewers?

“Just do it. Whether you're a homebrewer looking to go pro or seeking a career change, it’s a pathway worth exploring. It’s never too late to have a crack at something you want to do,” concluded Kieren.