Cullercoats Brewery takes on teenage trainee brewer in bid to grow

A WHITLEY Bay teenager has landed a job at Cullercoats Brewery – on the very day he finished his A-levels.

Douglas McCallum, 18, swapped the exam hall for mucking out the mash tun, and after a three week probationary period, brewery owner Bill Scantlebury says his new trainee assistant brewer is exactly what the business needs.

“He’s keen, hardworking and a very quick learner, so we know he will be a great asset, and has already had an impact on our productivity,” Bill said.

Since setting up the brewery, which specialises in traditional English ales made using all British ingredients, in November 2011 the business has grown steadily and although Bill has had some help from family – his wife Anna has been working there since January – the trainee will enable the company to grow further.

“Doug will be learning all aspects of brewing including looking after live yeast cultures,” said Bill, “and that will allow Anna to focus more on the sales and administration.

“It’s a great opportunity for a young person – microbreweries are one of the UK’s recent success stories in an otherwise cool economic climate, and being in a small business means you get variety and responsibility from the start.”