Alright, who’s game to become Australia’s next chief beer taster?

Could you really be paid to taste beer all day?

One Australian brewing giant is offering exactly that—if your palate is up to scratch.

But behind the bubbles lies a job that’s as scientific as it is satisfying.

Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) is searching for a new chief beer taster following the retirement of Tina Panoutsos—one of the world’s top beer palates.

Panoutsos began her journey in 1989 as a quality assurance chemist and eventually became CUB’s associate director of beer knowledge.

She wasn’t just known inside the brewery.

Panoutsos judged competitions around the world including the World Beer Cup and the Australian International Beer Awards.

In 2023, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award, with peers saying ‘the quality of beer is better in this country for having had Tina a part of the industry.’

More Than Just Drinking: The Science of Professional Beer Tasting

This isn’t about kicking back with a schooner—CUB’s chief taster must evaluate around 30 beers a day.

Each sample is rated out of nine across categories like aroma, flavour, appearance, and mouthfeel.

The goal is consistency—ensuring that a Victoria Bitter brewed in Perth tastes exactly the same as one poured in Brisbane.

Sensory evaluation is the technical term for the skill—detecting flaws, tracking subtle differences in flavour, and guaranteeing quality across batches.

Could You Be Australia’s Next Beer Expert?

Formal qualifications aren’t always required, but understanding beer and brewing is essential.

Panoutsos entered the industry not as a beer lover, but as a scientist looking for a lab job.

It’s an industry where women—once a rarity—are proving to be outstanding tasters, with studies showing women often excel at sensory evaluation.

Why This Role Matters More Than Ever

With rising standards and more discerning drinkers, beer quality has never been under more scrutiny.

At CUB—owned by Asahi Beverages—the pressure is on to uphold a 192-year brewing legacy.

For those eager to try the path themselves, training is available.

WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting teaches students to assess beer with precision—not just personal preference.

Aspiring tasters can also join homebrewing clubs, tour breweries offering technical tastings, or pursue certifications in beer judging.

For anyone who’s ever joked about wanting to be paid to drink beer, this role proves that dreams can come true—if you're willing to work for them.

Would you ever consider a career shift into beer tasting—or know someone who should?

If you’ve ever wondered how even the most well-funded ventures can go belly-up, this next story offers a revealing glimpse behind the scenes.

It's a reminder that brand recognition and big names don't always guarantee success—especially in the competitive world of brewing.

Read more: Brett Lee’s beer brand crumbles despite millions in funding—what went wrong?