Brewer & maltster (Brauer/in und Mälzer/in)
The beer and beverage production trade, emblematic of Germany: from malting to brewing to bottling, with real technical depth.
The profession
The brewer and maltster turns raw materials (barley, hops, water, yeast) into beer: malting, brewing, fermentation, filtration and bottling, with plant control and quality checks.
Salary
During the Ausbildung, about 980 €/month in year 1, 1,140 € in year 2 and 1,330 € in year 3. On entry after training, about 2,960 to 3,400 €/month depending on the agreement and region (sources: German salary portals, sector data). Indicative figures.
Duration and path
The training lasts 3 years, alternating company / vocational school, with the chamber exam. It takes place in breweries and maltings.
Employers hiring
Craft and industrial breweries, maltings, beverage groups. Germany has a very large number of breweries, with regular demand for skilled staff.
Prospects and progression
Progression into plant operation, quality control, production responsibility, or the master brewer title (Braumeister) through further qualifications.
German level and visa
B2 is the standard. You need an Ausbildung contract and a training visa (§ 16a). We train you to B2 in Douala and handle the paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it a technical or craft trade?
- Both: it combines production know-how with plant control and strong quality checks.
Indicative gross ranges from public German sources (Federal Employment Agency, Entgeltatlas, Gehalt.de, IHK). In the food industry, pay follows sector collective agreements and the statutory minimum wage, and varies by region, employer and experience. Most of these jobs are non-regulated to work; some skilled crafts (butchery) or the visa route may involve recognition, decided by the competent German authorities. Always check your case.