Alexei Iljin was born in St Petersburg in 1978. He graduated from the Leningrad State Academy with a specialisation in "automating production processes." He took a second higher degree in "economics and company management" at the Far Eastern State University of Communications.

Alexei Iljin began his career in Baltika in the year 2000 in the position of metalworker in repairs within the repairs and mechanics section of the Baltika-St Petersburg brewery. Beginning in July 2002, Alexei Iljin joined the design group involved in the construction of the brewery in Khabarovsk and from the time when that facility was commissioned he worked in various positions: as head of the mechanics department, chief engineer, and director of the subsidiary.

18 October 2007 Alexey Ilyin was appointed acting Managing Director of Baltika-Samara brewery.