Brewer/Cellar Operator

Wine Industry Expo; Firestone, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Firestone Walker Brewing Company is seeking a dedicated Brewer/Cellar Operator to join our production team. You will clean tanks, transfer beer, manage yeast and quality, and maintain a sanitary environment across the brewery.

Responsibilities include operating centrifugation, monitoring fermentations, handling transfers, filtration, and ensuring adherence to SOPs and safety protocols while collaborating with the Brewhouse and Packaging teams.

Qualifications

• Proficient math skills for measurements and data recording.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to read and interpret brewing literature and instrumentation manuals.
• Analytical approach to quality control and process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Set up, maintain and operate centrifugation equipment.
• Brew efficiently on brewhouses including grain transfer, mashing, lautering, boiling, and cooling of wort while monitoring quality and equipment performance.
• Monitor fermentations, check gravities, identify irregularities, record data, perform dry hopping, caps, and chill tanks.
• Manage yeast through harvesting, viability checks, dumps, and burps.
• Conduct beer transfers, ensure readiness and clean transfers with appropriate SOPs.
• Operate filtration, pre-coat and CIP to meet quality specs and sanitation.
• Complete paperwork accurately and on time.
• Perform tank cleaning and sanitization.
• Use safety equipment and follow PPE guidelines.
• Uphold Firestone Walker quality standards and communicate inventory levels.
• Adhere to safety procedures and participate in safety training.
• Collaborate with Brewhouse, Cellar, and Packaging Managers.

Skills

Mathematics

Communication

Analytical reading of journals

Problem solving

Education

Formal Education in Brewing and Fermentation

Job description

WHO WE ARE:

Firestone Walker Brewing Company began as a small brewery with roots in the wine country on California’s Central Coast. Now a regional craft brewery, our singular purpose remains – to craft the world’s best beers. Passionately in pursuit of the perfect beer… and never satisfied.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Brewer/Cellar Operator is responsible for cleaning tanks, transferring beer, quality management, yeast management, and equipment maintenance. The cellar operator is also required to maintain a neat, clean, and sanitary environment throughout the brewery.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specifically, the responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following activities. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Set up, maintain and operate centrifugation equipment
• Brew efficiently and effectively on both brewhouses including grain transfer, mashing, lautering, boiling, and cooling of wort while monitoring quality of product and performance of equipment
• Monitor fermentations-check gravities, identify irregularities, record data, dry hopping, cap, and chill tanks
• Manage yeast through yeast harvesting, checking viability, yeast dumps, and burps
• Complete beer transfers: check product for readiness, set up, transfer and cleanup according to SOP. Ensure clean transfers at low D.O. levels in a timely manner
• Run Filtration: Setup and pre-coat, follow SOP to meet quality specifications; ensure proper operation, CIP, and sanitization
• Complete all necessary paperwork accurately and on time
• Complete tank cleaning and tank sanitization
• Use proper safety equipment and personal protection equipment.
• Uphold the quality standards of Firestone Walker inside and outside the Brewery
• Communicate low level inventory of all items used
• Ensure that safety procedures are adhered to throughout the building
• Communicate regularly and efficiently with Brewhouse Manager, Cellar Manager, and Packaging Manager
• Complete all required safety training
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Formal Education in Brewing and Fermentation preferred
• Prior professional brewing experience preferred
• Overnight Shifts are mandatory

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Basic mathematical skills
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to analyze and interpret technical journals pertaining to brewing and quality control
• Read and understand a variety of scientific instruments

WORK ENVIORNMENT:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

• Work in a wet environment with loud noise
• Exposed to acids, caustics, and cleaning products
• Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs
• Grip and manipulate tri-clamps and drag hoses several times a day
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Regularly required to lift 55lb grain bags and 44lb Hop boxes with assistance
• Employee is occasionally required lift and maneuver a keg (165lbs) with assistance