Driven by curiosity and a desire to understand how science, creativity, and culture come together to produce something as timeless as beer, Mercy Chiambi is now on the path to become a Master Brewer, a title only a few women hold globally.
“Becoming a Master Brewer is considered the highest achievement in the brewing world. It requires years of studying, practical experience at a commercial brewery, and the ability to lead a team,” Mercy begins.
The Consistency of Brewing
Mercy’s journey began with a foundation in Food Science at the University of Nairobi, where she developed a strong grasp of fermentation, microbiology, and process control. She then joined the business as a young brewer eager to understand how raw materials move through the brewhouse and eventually become the beers consumers recognise on shelves and at the bar.
Her development has been deliberate. She has rotated through brewhouse operations, quality management, packaging, and supply planning. The intention is to understand the full operational chain and build capability that will allow her to lead with both technical depth and commercial awareness.
“I learned very quickly that brewing is not just about making beer. It is about consistency. It is about managing inputs, efficiency, losses, and yield. You must know where every litre comes from and where it goes,” she adds.
Over the years she has earned her place as one of the country’s most respected female brewer, leading the team responsible of ensuring the beer brewed at the Kenya Breweries Limited plant meets the quality benchmark consumers expect.
“My day starts with reviewing performance from the previous shift. I want to see our brewhouse efficiencies, how fermentation behaved, the quality markers and if anything needs early intervention,” she says. “Consumers do not see the hours we spend analysing, testing and refining. They only see the final product, and it is my job to ensure that it is excellent in every single way.”
Once the brew has fully matured, it is ready to be packed into bottles and steel barrels formats that the consumer finds in bars and outlets. But like many brewers, she has a personal favourite.
“I always reach for draught,” she says with a hearty laugh. “Draught is the closest connection between what I create in the brewery and what the consumer experiences in their glass.”
Mercy explains in detail that draught represents the intersection of science, technique, and a pure consumer experience. The perfect pour, the creamy head, the fresh flavour, are all because of decisions made on the onset of the brewing process from when the raw materials are chosen.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As one of the few women in brewing, Mercy’s message to young people and especially women is clear. “Don’t be afraid to step into spaces where you’re underrepresented. Brewing is about passion, curiosity, and creativity. If you love science and creating something that brings people joy, this is the space for you. Be bold and keep going.” she concludes.
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