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HIT Training is proud to unveil this year’s Super Six, a group of exceptional brewing apprentices who have showcased remarkable skill, creativity and passion throughout their apprenticeships. These six talented individuals have earned their place as finalists in HIT’s Untapped Brewing Competition 2026, an exciting competition celebrating the very best of apprentice brewing talent across the country.
Untapped gives brewing apprentices the opportunity to put their creativity and technical knowledge to the test, developing an original beer and showcasing their skills to leading brewers and industry experts.
The competition began with the preliminary ‘Into the Mash Tun’ round, which challenged apprentices to submit an original beer recipe and explain the provenance and characteristics of its principal ingredients, as well as how each ingredient contributes to the beer’s style and character.
Following this initial round, six apprentices have been selected to progress to the final and compete for the title of Untapped Brewing Champion 2026.
The 2026 Super Six are:
Jacob Martin – Lost Pier Brewing
Jacob’s brewing journey began at 17, when experimenting with homebrewing sparked a passion that led him to Lost Pier Brewing. Working as part of a small team has allowed him to learn all aspects of brewing, from designing his own recipes to gaining experience at events. His Untapped entry, Smooth Progress Nitro Bitter (4.4%), is a classic bitter with a smooth, nitrogenated mouthfeel. Jacob’s ambition is to eventually own and run his own brewpub.
Josh Metcalfe – Cumbrian Ales
Josh’s brewing journey began during lockdown, when homebrewing inspired him to leave a 10-year career in SEN teaching and pursue brewing. After working part-time at a brewery, he moved to a larger cask brewery in the Lake District, where he has spent over two years developing his passion for cask beer. His Untapped entry, Tiger Tiger, is a medium-amber British Session IPA combining heritage malts with Harlequin and Nectaron hops. Josh’s ambition is to win Best Beer of Britain with a cask recipe ale for Cumbrian Ales.
Lewis Hall – Bristol Beer Factory
Lewis Hall’s brewing journey began with a love of beer and a desire to join the welcoming brewing community. His Untapped entry, Tenant, puts a local spin on a renowned competition-born beer, celebrating what the UK has to offer. Lewis hopes to one day run his own brewery and taproom while gaining experience in breweries around the world.
Sam Schofield – JW Lees
Sam Schofield’s brewing journey began with homebrewing at university, leading him to complete a foundation brewing qualification before joining JW Lees as a trainee brewer. His Untapped entry, Hoppy Scholar, is a 4.5% American Blonde Ale. Sam hopes to become Head Brewer at JW Lees while continuing to develop his brewing knowledge and skills.
Szymon Gradzinski – Lacons
Szymon Gradzinski’s brewing journey began in hospitality, where his love of good beer sparked an interest in brewing. Now two years into his apprenticeship at Lacons, his Untapped entry, Szy, is a 4.2% English Pale Ale combining modern English hops with a balanced malt profile and crisp, fruity finish. Szymon hopes to continue developing his skills and explore a wider range of beer styles.
Tomas Pewton – The Hop Shed
Tomas’s brewing journey began as a passionate homebrewer before he gained hands-on experience running a small brewery and volunteering at breweries including East London Brewing Company. Now an apprentice at The Hop Shed, his Untapped entry is a 4.5% British Golden Ale combining heritage malt and classic British hops with modern varieties. Tomas hopes to become a full-time brewer and is particularly fascinated by traditional gruit beers.
What’s Next?
The Super Six will now take their place in the final of HIT’s Untapped Brewing Competition 2026, where their brewing skills, creativity and knowledge will be put to the ultimate test.
The finalists’ beers will be served at the Brewer Apprenticeship Graduation at the Albert Hall Conference Centre in Nottingham on Thursday 22 October, giving guests the opportunity to sample the beers created by this year’s talented finalists.
The event will also see the overall Untapped 2026 winner crowned, celebrating the outstanding achievement of one apprentice and their journey throughout the competition.
Over the coming week, we will shine a spotlight on each member of the Super Six, exploring their brewing journeys, their competition entries and the passion that has driven them throughout their apprenticeships.
Celebrating the future of brewing
HIT’s Untapped Brewing Competition celebrates the next generation of brewing talent, giving apprentices the opportunity to develop their skills, demonstrate their creativity and gain valuable recognition from experienced industry professionals.
The competition highlights the important role apprenticeships play in developing the skills and talent that will shape the future of the UK brewing industry.
Jeremy Scorer, HIT Training’s Licensed Trade Director, commented:
Our Super Six apprentices are a shining example of the talent, creativity and passion being developed through brewing apprenticeships. Untapped provides an exciting platform for apprentices to showcase what they can achieve, while giving the wider industry an opportunity to discover the next generation of brewing talent. We’re incredibly proud of this year’s finalists and look forward to celebrating their achievements at the graduation event.
For more information about HIT Training’s brewing apprenticeships, visit: https://hittraining.co.uk/elevating-brewer-apprenticeships-through-hands-on-workshops/
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