Carlton and United Breweries, now under Asahi ownership, is on the lookout for a new chief beer taster, one of the most prestigious roles in the beverage industry. This opportunity has arisen after the current taster, Tina Panoutsos, announced her retirement following an impressive 30-year tenure.
Panoutsos expressed her love for the job, stating that her passion kept her in the role for three decades. During her time, she carried out around 30 beer tastings each day, meticulously evaluating each sample on parameters like colour, clarity, and overall appearance, scoring them out of nine and identifying any inconsistencies.
The selection for her successor will be stringent, with candidates required to showcase their ability to assess various attributes of beer. In preparation for tastings, Panoutsos suggested avoiding coffee, emphasizing the importance of palate clarity, alongside abstaining from spicy food to ensure an accurate taste experience.
This unique job opportunity highlights not only the significance of the tasting role but also the artistry involved in beer evaluation.