Laine Brew Co has appointed its first ‘One for All’ apprentice following the launch of campaign to encourage greater diversity within the brewing industry.
The Brighton-based brewery, from Laine Pub Company, marked a step forward for Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI) in the sector by welcoming apprentice Lauren Carpenter to their team.
Carpenter joins the team after working in the hospitality sector for eight years and was one of over 20 applicants. In addition to her work for Laine, her year’s apprenticeship will include a number of exciting collaborative brewing assignments with breweries around the UK and a virtual collaborative beer with US brewer and Megan Stone (@isbeeracarb).
Stone has brewed at leading US breweries Modern Times (San Diego) and Duclaw (Baltimore). In the UK, she has already collaborated with Laine to create a limited-edition hazy IPA called All for One, which was brewed to commemorate the launch of the scheme.
Stone firmly supports the apprenticeship scheme, aimed at increasing diversity in brewing and commentedm ?“In the US, I’ve learned you have to fight and be pushy to get your foot in the door. No-one necessarily gives you permission as a female, LGBTQ+, or as a person of colour.
'As a young, gay woman, I am made to feel like I need to constantly prove myself to be worthy of a place in the industry. Laine launching an apprenticeship program to literally invite people into the industry is a fantastic move in the right direction.
'More perspectives in the beer making process - which are all unique in their own way - will give us new tastes, inspirations and influences and that is not just a positive way to go, it is the right way to go.
'Everyone benefits from DEI – workers, colleagues, friends and drinkers alike. I hope this program that Laine and I have collaborated on will inspire many other breweries, companies, and people to move in the same direction. I wish Lauren the very best of luck in her new career. I can’t wait to watch her journey in beer!”
Laine CEO Gavin George says that the brewing company had long recognised the predominance of white males in the brewing industry’s workforce and believed that change must come from within.
He continued, “We launched the ‘One for All’ apprenticeship scheme to encourage people from all backgrounds to consider a career in brewing and we are thrilled that Lauren has decided to join our scheme.
'We are sure she will have a hugely positive impact on our brewing team and will enjoy this change of career.”
Head Brewer, Will Brooke-Smith added, “It has been great to welcome Lauren in to my team. In the short time she has been with us she has already picked up the technical aspects of the brewing process, proving you don’t need to be a beer geek to start working in a brewery. Although I’m sure - like me - she’ll be one soon.”
Laine Brew Co is offering one apprenticeship per year which will teach the essential skills and crafts involved in brewing beer and apply that skillset to a range of beer styles.
Successful candidates will brew independently in Laine’s Sussex production brewery where flagship beers including ‘Fader’, ‘Source’ and ‘Mangolicious’ are made.
Additionally, they will assist with the creation and production of shorter run, seasonal and experimental beers in Laine’s brew pubs: the North Laine in Brighton and the People’s Park in Hackney.
Supported by the Hospitality Industry Training Brewer Scheme, Laine’s apprenticeship will be run in conjunction with the University of Nottingham’s International Centre for Brewing Science.