Lead Brewer

Smog City Brewing Co.; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Smog City Brewing Co. in Torrance, CA is seeking a Lead Brewer to ensure wort production and beer quality while guiding the brew team. The role requires hands-on leadership, advanced hot side and cellar knowledge, and a commitment to safety and consistency.

Minimum 3 years in a commercial brewery and a Bachelor’s degree or formal brewing education are preferred. This full-time position offers competitive hourly pay and opportunities to contribute to R&D and new recipes.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience at a commercial brewery including wort production.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Ability to lead and motivate a brewing team and to follow recipes and logs precisely.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Brew Team and set a positive example for culture and performance.
• Coach shift brewers on execution and guide day-to-day process decisions.
• Identify maintenance opportunities and supervise cleanliness and organization.
• Brew beer and oversee wort production; verify brew logs and recipes.
• Monitor logs, ensure data accuracy in brewing systems, and ensure alignment with production schedules.
• Perform cellar duties and CIP of tanks and lines; support R&D and new recipes.

Skills

Leadership

Brew team coaching

Communication

Quality control

Brewing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or brewing education

Job description

Smog City Brewing Co. is a family owned and operated brewery who has spent 15 years proving that we could do business and do good. We’re passionate about making great beer and food, being a positive part of the communities we serve, and treating people with respect. We want Smog City to be a place where great people enjoy coming to work, take pride in what they do, and feel like they’re part of something worthwhile.

The lead brewers role at Smog City Brewing is to ensure beer is being produced at the highest quality possible and supporting the brew team as a leader to make them successful.

This position requires a high level of knowledge and experience of hot side and cellar practices as well as team management.

Duties include:

• Leading the Brew Team
• Set a positive example for teammates in culture and performance
• Coach shift brewers on execution and guide day to day process decisions
• Identify opportunities and manage the execution of proper maintenance, cleaning and organization
• Communicate clearly and positively with shift brewers, production team and leadership
• Brew beer and oversee wort production
• Follow brew logs and verify their correctness
• Verify recipes on brewsheets & T5I production software
• Monitor accuracy of brew logs and T5I data by brew team
• Ensure that what is on the recipe goes in the tank and what goes in the tank goes into T5I
• Perform cellar duties as needed
• CIP of tanks, transfer lines, & other cellar equipment
• Execute dry hopping and dry hop resuspension
• General cleaning and organization
• Support the R&D Brewer and Production Mgr. as needed
• Collaborate on R&D projects & new recipe design
• Constantly evaluate ingredients and processes for efficiency and improvement
• Contribute your expertise to a holistic view of the production schedule
• Scrutinize brew logs and fermentation logs daily, weekly.
• Ensure brewers adhere to each brands guidelines in the brew process
• Ensure all quality related tests are executed and recorded
• Evaluate anomalies and bring them to the DBO or Brewmaster’s attention.
• Document changes made in an easily traceable format
• Monitor the health and operation of malt handling, brewhouse, and cellar equipment
• The lead brewer is the most experienced brewer actively using brewhouse equipment weekly
• Advocate for and ensure preventive maintenance is performed on schedule to avoid production delays and ensure cost effective care and the highest quality beer.

Minimum Physical Abilities

• Must be in good physical condition and able to maneuver in confined spaces.
• Must be able to walk, sit, stand, and/or crouch for extended periods of time.
• Must be able & willing to work early morning, daytime, evening and/or weekend shifts.
• Must be able to lift 55 lbs. (malt bag!) to shoulder level repeatedly and maneuver at least 165 lb. (full keg!) containers safely.

Necessary Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and use your time efficiently.
• Knowledge of the brewing process and how everything you do affects the quality of the beer.
• Excellent beer knowledge, a good sense of smell and taste with the ability to communicate what you are sensing.
• Must be able to follow directions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely with respect to all personnel at all levels, in addition to customers.
• Forklift experience is a plus.

Education/Experience

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience at a commercial brewery that includes wort production
• Bachelor’s degree and/or formal brewing education preferred.

Industry Sectors:
Beer - Brewing/Brewery Jobs

Date Posted:
8/21/2026

Job Title:
Lead Brewer

Company:
Smog City Brewing Co.

Employment Type:
Full Time

Compensation/Salary:
$23.00 - $27.00 per Hour

Industry Sectors:
Beer - Brewing/Brewery Jobs

Date Posted:
8/21/2026

Location: Torrance, CA, 90501