Marston’s Beer Company has appointed two new Head Brewers at their Oxfordshire and Hampshire breweries with internal appointments; both of whom had their first taste of brewing through work experience.
Following the retirement of Jeff Drew, Maurice Walton has taken over as Head Brewer at Ringwood Brewery in Hampshire and Jon Tillson has been appointed as Head Brewer at Wychwood Brewery in Witney, Oxfordshire.
Maurice got a taste for brewing in the early 80s when he was offered a holiday job at Ruddles Brewery in Rutland. After a degree in Industrial Biology he went back to Ruddles; and after a brief spell with Morland he worked for Greene King, completing his Master Brewer qualification in 2002.
Maurice joined Ringwood Brewery in 2004 working in beer quality and brewing roles, taking up the role of second brewer in 2013 and is excited to now be taking on the top job as Head Brewer. He said: “I look forward to looking after this great brewery with the team producing great beers, meeting customers, and creating some new beers in the future.”
Jon began at Wychwood Brewery on a two-week work experience from school in 1992. At the time it was a busy eight-barrel microbrewery on the edge of town. The placement led to a part-time job after school.
With a Business Degree in Nottingham and a short sabbatical working as an accountant in a solicitors’ office, he returned to the brewery in 2001 and joined the growing brewing team. He was appointed as Second Brewer in 2004, a job that continued when Marston’s acquired the brewery in 2008 and Jeff Drew took over as Head Brewer. He completed his Master Brewer qualification in 2014.
Born and bred in Witney, Jon said: “Who would have thought that a school work experience placement would have led to me being in charge of brewing my favourite beer? I couldn’t be happier!”
Emma Gilleland, Director of Brewing for Marston’s Beer Company added: “We have a great team of brewers across our brewing estate, all working very hard for their qualifications along the way. It always gives me enormous pleasure to recruit from within the business so the team can see real career progression without leaving the business. I wish both Maurice and Jon all the best in their new roles.”
Marston’s Beer Company operates across six breweries and produces an outstanding range of premium ales, world lagers and craft beers.
http://www.marstons.co.uk/beers/
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