Young Cornwall brewer named apprentice of the year

Wetherspoons sold 35,000 pints of Mr Baker's Average Joe beer

A young Cornish brewer is raising a glass after winning the title Apprentice Brewer of the Year 2023.

Joe Baker, 27, who is among the up and coming apprentices at St Austell Brewery, scooped the award from HIT Training.

Mr Baker already has an impressive pedigree, with 35,000 pints of his own beer, Average Joe, sold.

Like all apprentice brewers at St Austell he is also on course to conjure up more of his own brews this year.

About 80 people from across the business celebrated the achievements of its apprentices

Mr Baker's journey into brewing began when he became a bottler at the St Austell plant and he progressed into brewing when a vacancy opened up.

In 2022 he created Average Joe which was selected to be sold at 480 Wetherspoon pubs as part of a beer festival.

"We are lucky as brewers to be able to produce a small batch beer every year," he said.

"I did not expect to get the apprentice award because I was up against some very good brewers from around the country."

A spokesperson from St Austell Brewery said: "Joe has had a phenomenal year after passing his course with high marks and producing his own beer."

Mr Baker, who is now a full-time brewer, was among 94 apprentices at the firm.

The brewery has also launched a pre-16 hospitality academy which will give students a taste of what it is like to work at the company.

About 80 people from across the business attended a special lunch ceremony at the brewery's visitor centre to celebrate the achievements of its apprentices.

Other apprentices winning awards included procurement manager Jak Yelland-Hill, brewing apprentice Matthew Hawkey and Harry Dupi, a team leader at the Royal Castle pub in Dartmouth.

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