Zilker Brewing Company is looking for a person who is passionate about quality and community. We are expanding our distribution footprint and offerings in Central Texas, and are seeking a talented and experienced brewer to add to our team. Opened in 2015, we are an urban brewery located in East Austin, TX with a focus on distinctive small batch beers, and a solid core lineup of beer for wider distribution in the Austin metro area. Our brewhouse is a flexible 15bbl system with output around 5500 bbls. Our values are providing a high quality experience in all aspects of our business, and maintaining a focus on our local community.
Roles & Responsibilities
- General cleaning and maintenance of workspace in accordance with cleaning schedule
- Cleaning and sanitization of fittings and small parts
- Adherence to documentation practices
- Evaluation of raw materials and communication of inconsistencies (grain, hops, etc.)
- Thorough completion of work everyday from start to cleanup.
- Responsible for all brewing operations including:, wort production, cleaning, yeast handling, brewhouse CIP
- Ensures the highest quality beer is being created in the facility.
- Upholds QA/QC standards.
- Yeast management (harvesting, viability, cell counts, use methylene violet solution, pitching, checking pitch rate)
- Accurate record keeping.
- Properly storing and organizing grain
- Properly storing and organizing hops
- Daily tank gravity and pH monitoring
- Daily sensory analysis
- Conduct forced diacetyl tests
- Dry hopping/other additions, rousing of hops
- Transferring product from fermenter to brite tank
- Knowledge of fining agents
- Knowledge of lenticular filter (setup, operation, clean-up)
- Beer carbonation
- Knowledge of CO2 regulators, flowmeters, volumes, Zahm and Nagel, Anton Paar CBox
- Fermentation tank and brite tank CIP (with caustic or acid), note in log
- Fermentation tank and brite tank AUP (Acid wash Under Pressure), note in log
- Tank passivation, note in log
- Sanitization of fermenters, brite tanks, and other brewery vessels
- Composting of trub material from fermenters
- Walk in cooler organization
- Keg washing/filling
- Work canning line in accordance with head brewer directions
- Thorough completion of work everyday from start to cleanup.
- Operation and general maintenance of boiler (Turn on/off, blowdown procedures)
- Once a quarter customer facetime (beer tastings, pint night, events, etc.)
Requirements
Qualities:
- Have a passion for quality beer and workmanship
- Self-motivated
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong sense of cleanliness
- Organized
Abilities:
- Ability to understand and take both verbal and written directions well
- Strong communication skills
- Good manual dexterity
- Ability to climb ladders and work in confined spaces
- General knowledge of tools and mechanical skills
- Critical Thinking/Problem Solver
- Physically capable of performing daily brewery work; standing most of the day, crouching, lifting 50LBs +, maneuver 160lbs regularly
- Forklift operation
Teamwork/Communication:
- Timely and reciprocal communication is expected.
- Documentation is critical, including process deviations, and the resulting decisions, actions and expectations of outcomes.
- Ask questions, double check work to prevent mistakes which may cost money, time, and effort to fix.
Experience:
- Applicants must have previous brewing or cellar experience at a minimum of 2 years.
Flexibility:
All staff will be expected to fill multiple roles as necessary to ensure smooth operation and the success of the brand. This is the nature of a smaller craft brewery, especially one seeking to grow either in production volume or quality.
- Willingness to do tasks outside the scope of the this position
- Contribute ideas to ensure company's long term success
- Accessible for remote communication in off hours
- Willing to work staggered shifts as required by the production schedule
- Willing to work weekends if required by the production schedule.
Compensation/Benefits:
Competitive compensation and PTO programs. Medical, dental, and vision packages available.