Brewing Quality Control Technician

Carolina Beverage Group, LLC; Cold Spring (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) with company match

Bonuses

Employee Assistance Program

Life and Disability Insurance

Free Uniforms

Job summary

Cold Spring Brewing in Cold Spring, MN seeks a Quality Control Lab Technician to perform daily testing ensuring product quality across the brewhouse. This full-time night shift position involves 12-hour shifts from 5p to 5a with a 2-2-3 rotation.

You will conduct yeast and water tests, monitor gravity, temperature, and contamination, generate reports, and support flavor testing and training. The role requires attention to detail and GMP/HACCP familiarity in a fast-paced production environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Familiar with GMP/HACCP and quality control practices.
• Strong attention to detail and record-keeping skills.
• Proficient with MS Office and data portals.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily QC testing of beer and process samples.
• Monitor gravity, pH, temperature, and contamination checks.
• Test yeast viability, cell counts, and related microbiology tasks.
• Prepare analysis solutions and calibrate lab equipment.
• Generate and file statistical and scientific reports.
• Support flavor testing and training activities.

Skills

MS Office (Outlook, Excel)

Laboratory testing & QC

Recordkeeping

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology or Chemistry

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Job description

Join The Brew Crew – Crafting Quality with Intention!

With roots dating back to 1874, Cold Spring Brewing is a leader in contract beverage production, serving customers nationwide from our state-of-the-art facilities in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest. As one of the most diverse and flexible beverage manufacturers in the country, we produce everything from teas and energy drinks to malt-based beverages.

Our Opportunity: Brewing Quality Control Lab Technician

Status: Full Time Night Shift

Hours: 12-hour shift - 5p-5a

Schedule: 2-2-3 rotating shifts (work 15 days a month!)

[Plus, a $2.00 night shift differential if applicable]

Summary

This position performs daily quality control testing to ensure a quality product is being consistently produced at all times for the brewhouse.

What You Will Be Doing

• Checks beer tanks daily inclusive, but not limited to brew gravity, ph, temperature.
• Performs yeast testing pertaining to brewing, including but not limited to: viability/vitality, cell count and microbiological plating.
• Checks brewing and service water for microorganisms.
• Check brew products for aerobic and anaerobic contamination and identify possible sources.
• Performs alcohol concentration testing.
• Prepare taste tests to assure brew quality conformance.
• Assists in preparation of flavor perception training.
• Participate in flavor testing and training.
• Generates statistical and scientific reports to assure beer specification verification.
• Checks alpha acid bitterness levels and color spectrophotometrically.
• Aseptically collect and test samples of raw water, treated water, sanitation rinse water.
• Perform and record wet and dry sanitation swabbing without compromising validity of test sample to verify sanitation practices.
• Ensures brewing sheets are filled out properly, including identification and report non-conformance, by dated signature.
• Performs product testing, at various process stages, inclusive of CO2, total air, dissolved oxygen, haze, and other analyses as required.
• Performs chemical water analyses at various usage points.
• Measures CIP chemical concentrations.
• Measures diacetyl and total VDK levels.
• Prepare standard analysis solutions.
• Calibrate gauges, thermometers, and laboratory equipment as prescribed and to verify operation.
• Performs all other duties as assigned or required by supervisor/customer.

What You Need to Bring

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Knowledge working in Outlook, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and use of customer portals
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records
• Regular use of computer, writing, and filing records

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with SAP or other inventory management systems
• Experience with GMP and/or HACCP regulations
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology or Chemistry
• 1-3 years’ experience in a Quality environment or manufacturing environment

Job Setting

This role is based in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Employees will experience varying physical demands throughout the day, including standing for extended periods and walking on occasionally slippery floors. Primarily works in office setting, may spend time in the production/warehouse environment.

Due to the nature of the facility, temperatures may fluctuate based on outside weather conditions including heat and cold.

The work environment can be loud, and hearing protection (ear plugs) is required. Additionally, to ensure safety and hygiene, employees must wear hairnets and refrain from wearing jewelry while on the production floor.

Alcohol is an ingredient in products we produce. We are unable to guarantee specific positions, work schedules or work environments that do not include working around alcohol.

Physical Requirements

• Extended standing on hard surfaces.
• Regular bending, stooping and lifting up to 50lbs.
• Vision required: distance, close, color, peripheral and depth perception
• Frequently required to stand, talk or hear, use hands feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
• Will work around noise, dust, variable temperatures and use of production chemicals
• Regular standing and sitting for extended periods of time

What’s In It For You?

At Cold Spring Brewing, we believe in supporting the well‑being of our team members both inside and outside the workplace. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health Insurance: Competitive medical, HSA and FSA plans, dental, and vision coverage options for you and your family. Coverage begins the 1st of the month following 60 days.
• Paid Time Off: Paid Time off and paid holidays to ensure work‑life balance.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with company match to help you plan for the future beginning 1st of the month following 6 months
• Bonuses: Monthly performance-based bonuses
• Employee Assistance Program: Support services for personal, work, and life challenges.
• Life and Disability Insurance: Life insurance, AD&D insurance, and short- and long‑term disability coverage.
• Free Uniforms

At Cold Spring Brewing, you’ll be part of a company that values innovation, quality, and teamwork. We’re committed to providing you with the resources and support to grow your career, all while fostering a culture of safety, sustainability, and employee empowerment.