Tom Naylor – Brewer at Little Mesters Brewing

“The knowledge I’ve gained through HIT Training has allowed me to take more creative control and bring fresh ideas to the brewery. My increased confidence and understanding of brewing processes have definitely made a positive impact on the business”

Why an apprenticeship?

Before joining Little Mesters Brewing in Sheffield, I’d worked in hospitality for several years and was always curious about the different beer styles I came across. Sheffield is packed with breweries, so I often found myself on brewery tours or in tap rooms, getting more and more interested in the craft of brewing. When the chance to become an apprentice at Little Mesters came up, I didn’t hesitate – I knew it was the perfect opportunity to turn my passion into a career.

The Level 4 Brewer apprenticeship with HIT Training has allowed me to combine hands-on experience with formal training. The apprenticeship has given me a strong foundation in brewing science, which compliments the practical work I do at Little Mesters.

Benefitting my business

Being part of a small team means I get to do a bit of everything at Little Mesters, from brewing to packaging and distribution. I even work behind the bar at our tap room. The skills I’ve gained during my apprenticeship have not only helped me in brewing but also in running the day-to-day operations of the brewery.

One of my proudest moments has been creating my own beer, Crag, which has been really well received by our customers and going on to win the HIT Training Untapped brewer competition 2024 which challenged apprentice brewers to produce an original recipe beer. The knowledge I’ve gained through HIT Training has allowed me to take more creative control and bring fresh ideas to the brewery. My increased confidence and understanding of brewing processes have definitely made a positive impact on the business.

The HIT Training difference

The support I’ve received from HIT Training has been brilliant. Between the in-person workshops at Nottingham University and the online support, I’ve been able to build a strong knowledge base in brewing. I also get excellent on-the-job training from my mentor, Neil, who is the head brewer at Little Mesters.

Looking ahead, once I complete my apprenticeship, I hope to continue working at Little Mesters and help the brewery grow. Eventually, I’d love to take on a head brewer role and possibly tour Europe to learn more about continental brewing styles, bringing back new ideas to experiment with here in Sheffield.

To find out more about our brewer apprenticeship, please click here: https://hittraining.co.uk/elevating-brewer-apprenticeships-through-hands-on-workshops/