Steve Wellington, Master Brewer of Worthington's White Shield
Curriculum Vitae
5 years training to be a doctor at St Thomas' Hospital in London taught me that you invariably see people at their worst, consequently a change of career seemed appropriate.
Having spent many a happy evening in the hospital bar, it became apparent that the social aspects of life, especially when linked with drinking beer, resulted in seeing people at their best, hence the die was cast, and a trip to Burton upon Trent in 1965 sealed my enjoyable and happy career in Brewing.
A fairly arduous training period ensued for 5 years before taking the Diploma of the Institute of Brewing, much helped by the biochemistry and physiology learned at the hospital (Oh yes! The yeast cell shares most of the metabolic processes of the human body!).
A good pass in the exam resulted in an award which enabled me to experience brewing in other countries.
I brewed with Tuborg Breweries in Copenhagen and also with Canadian Breweries in Toronto & Winnepeg before returning to Burton in 1971. Following a 4 year period in every department of the brewery, I was invited to head up the export operation of Bass involving sales for the first time in my life. I suspect the appointment was mainly due to my overseas travelling experience.
Trips to most countries in the world then became the norm with huge volume gains in the USA with draught and bottled Bass as well as very pleasing sales of non-alcoholic Barbican in the Arab countries of the Middle East.
The birth of my first daughter persuaded me that long periods of travelling would not be a good idea hence I returned to Burton to run the technical services operation for Bass for several years.
When getting close to retirement in 1994, the chance of a lifetime arose with the opportunity of starting up the micro-brewery in the Bass Museum as it was then, and brewing and selling whatever I fancied. It has always been a brewers dream to have his very own brewery, and here it was for me, on a plate!
Our cask beers went from strength to strength as did our reputation; however, in 2000, we received the jewel in the crown by being allowed to brew Worthington White Shield. A modern bottling line was supplied and we began to reduce our reliance on draught beer in favour of Bottled White Shield. We won many awards for the product which has been brewed in many locations since 1830.
To me White Shield is the mother of all ales and to have been entrusted with it has made it the pinnacle of my brewing career.
Try it for yourself and taste the passion!!!