A teenager who is not old enough to drink has become the UK's youngest brewer at just 17 years old - and he can't wait for his birthday next month to order a pint of his own beer.<br /><br />Jacob Murphy became fascinated with brewing after he visited the Guinness Storehouse during a family holiday to Dublin when he was ten.<br /><br />Two years ago he started working part time at the Fixed Wheel Brewery in Blackheath, West Mids., mixing up the hops and malt.<br /><br />He impressed owner Scott Povey so much he has now been offered an apprenticeship, making him the UK's youngest professional brewer.<br /><br />Jacob, from Quinton, Birmingham, said: "I just remember I really got interested in brewing beer after that trip to the Guinness factory in Dublin.<br /><br />"I really loved all the smells and stuff and seeing all the barrels. It got me into it.<br /><br />"When I was 15 I started emailing brewers near me and Scott replied.<br /><br />"I did a brewery tour and did a few days experience to get used to the working environment.”<br /><br />Jacob has now been taken on full-time and works alongside the company’s two other brewers.<br /><br />He added: "All of my friends went to college, a few do music, but none of them are doing anything similar to what I’m doing in the brewery.<br /><br />“I’m now crafting my own IPA, the Neo Pro, which I opted for over a stout as it's approaching summer.<br /><br />"Every month we do cask specials then I think we have nine that are house beers that we brew all the time. We do a keg special every now and again. <br /><br />“Originally I wanted to brew a stout but we’re heading into the summer so I wanted to brew something nice and hoppy, that I would enjoy drinking."<br /><br />Jacob's workmates are planning a big bash to celebrate his 18th birthday on June 11.<br /><br />He said: "It would be quite nice for the first official pint that I drink to be my own beer. <br /><br />"Hearing someone come up and order my beer that I've made is really gratifying, just knowing that people like something that I'm doing. <br /><br />"It's going to be really cool on my birthday, we’ve got over a 100 people coming. It's going to be summer so we can go outside.<br /><br />"Turning 18 will also have advantages for my career because at the moment I'm too young to sample beers when I attend brewing events.<br /><br />"I can't wait to come up with some more ales. It's been a rollercoaster career already and I've barely even started."
