We don’t all get our dream job, but Martin Birch certainly has!
Martin has recently joined Batham’s brewery in Quarry Bank, taking over the brewing of Batham’s beer when the last brewer retired recently after 40 years.
Martin is, in fact, a Master Brewer. Born in Quarry Bank, a stone’s throw from the brewery, Martin started his brewing career with Watney’s in 1978. He studied for his Diploma of Management Studies at Kingston Business School, and in 1984 passed his Master Brewer Examinations for the Institute of Brewing. He later became Head Brewer at Hansons and then held several senior management positions with Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries. Until recently he worked for Unilever as a Technical Consultant within the brewing industry, travelling the length and breadth of the country.
Married to Lyn, they have a daughter Katherine, 27, and a son Daniel, 24. Martin still lives not far from Batham’s Brewery, so he has manged to stay close to his roots and a loyal Batham’s customer!
Martin takes over the brewing from Ken Smith, who retired earlier this year after 40 years at Batham’s Brewery.
Martin said “I still have to pinch myself when I think how lucky I am to be brewing Batham’s beer. It must be every local man’s dream!”
Director Matthew Batham said “Now that Ken Smith has retired, all Bathams drinkers will be relieved to know that the brewing continues in the safe hands of a local connoisseur!”
