Untapped competition: Meet the 2024 Rising Stars of Brewing

HIT Training is proud to unveil this year’s Super Six, a group of extraordinary brewing apprentices who have showcased remarkable skill, creativity and passion throughout their apprenticeships. These six individuals have been recognised for their outstanding achievements in the craft and are now finalists in HIT’s Untapped Brewing Competition 2024, an exciting contest that celebrates the very best of apprentice brewing talent across the country.

The Untapped competition challenges apprentices to create their own unique brews, blending creativity and technical skill, with the winner being crowned at a grand finale on 24th October. The competition offers apprentices the opportunity to showcase their talents to leading brewers and industry experts while vying for the title of Untapped Champion.

The 2024 Super Six are:

Freddie Barnes – Hobsons Brewery, Cleobury Mortimer
Freddie has used his apprenticeship to dive deep into the science behind brewing, taking on new responsibilities and creating his own beer, ‘CanalHouse Pale’, as part of his Untapped entry. His newfound confidence has made him a leader within his brewery, with the ability to conduct brewery tours and develop new recipes.

Johnny Howes – Magpie Brewery, Nottingham
With 15 years of media industry experience, Johnny boldly decided to switch careers and follow his passion for brewing. He has already created his award-winning Untapped entry, ‘To Autumn’, and has brought fresh perspectives to brewing techniques at Magpie Brewery.

Liam Tomlinson – Brewhouse & Kitchen Chester
Liam’s apprenticeship has taken him from assisting to running 500-litre brews solo. He earned a Silver Award at SIBA North-West for his recipe creation, which he is now developing further for his Untapped entry ‘Golden Boy’. His attention to detail has also seen his cellar recognised by Cask Marque as one of the best they’ve visited.

Tom Naylor – Little Mesters Brewing, Sheffield
Tom’s journey from hospitality to brewing has allowed him to bring creativity and fresh ideas to Little Mesters Brewing. He has played a key role in every part of the brewery’s operation, from brewing and packaging to creating his Untapped beer, Crag, which has already impressed customers.

Olivia Lamley – Powder Monkey Brewing Co, Gosport
Olivia’s passion for brewing has led her from the taphouse to becoming an independent brewer at Powder Monkey Brewing Co. Her recipe creations have gained recognition in competitions and her Untapped entry, ‘Kai-riiwhi’ has already advanced through to the competition’s final stages. Olivia is looking forward to continuing her career and helping the brewery grow.

Amber Postlethwaite – Rigg and Furrow, Northumberland
After 10 years in hospitality, Amber wanted to make something tangible with her hands. Her apprenticeship has allowed her to flourish and her innovative Untapped entry ‘Wives Tale’ has already caught the attention of industry experts. Amber is passionate about continuing her brewing education and making her mark on the industry.

What’s Next?

The Super Six apprentices are all finalists in HIT’s Untapped Brewing Competition, which puts their skills to the test in a unique challenge to create an original, standout beer. The winner will be revealed at the grand finale on 24th October during a special brewer event that promises to be an exciting showcase of the best in apprentice brewing talent.

Jeremy Scorer, HIT Training’s Licensed Trade Director, commented:

Our Super Six apprentices are a shining example of what’s possible with the right blend of hands-on experience and structured training. The Untapped Competition is a fantastic platform for these rising stars to showcase their talent and creativity. We’re incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing how they continue to shape the future of brewing in the UK.

HIT’s Untapped Brewing Competition has become a key event in the brewing calendar, celebrating the future of British brewing by providing apprentices with the opportunity to develop their skills, learn from industry experts and gain invaluable exposure.

For more information about HIT Training’s brewing apprenticeships visit: Elevating Brewer Apprenticeships Through Hands-On Workshops