LEAD BREWER 

  • Full-time

  • Compensation/Salary: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

  • Reports to: Production Manager, R&D Brewer

The Lead Brewer is responsible for maintaining the quality and consistency of Smog City beer throughout the production process while upholding our core values of Quality, Community, and Respect. This role serves as a strong advocate for the beer at every stage, helping ensure production standards are met and that brewing equipment and facilities are maintained with a high level of cleanliness, care, organization, and attention to detail.

The Lead Brewer also helps set the standard for day-to-day brewery operations, supporting a safe, efficient, and collaborative production environment while identifying issues that could affect beer quality or consistency.

Primary responsibilities:

  • Lead 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 equipment 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 tidying up

  • Supports 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

    • Advocates for and ensures preventive equipment maintenance to avoid production delays and ensure cost effective care and the highest quality beer.

General requirements:

  • Stay organized and communicate effectively

  • Understands and adheres to recipes and formulas.

  • What is on the brew log goes in the tank, what goes in the tank is recorded on the paper log and in the brewery software.

  • Maintains a safe, clean and positive work environment.

  • Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of all equipment and facilities at all times.

  • Learns and adheres to standard operating and safety procedures in wort production, vessel cleaning and sanitation, yeast handling, fermentation and maturation, sample collecting and filtration operations.

  • Maintains the operational efficiency and safety of the equipment you use. 

  • Catch it before it breaks, fix it if you can, bring it to someone’s attention if you can’t.

  • Keeps accurate logs and governmental compliance paperwork.

  • Assists in safety compliance and QA/QC.

  • Works hard and efficiently on a daily basis to make the best beer possible.

  • Participates in beer festivals and events. You make the beer, tell the world about it!

  • All staff help out wherever they are needed. The above are guidelines but additional responsibilities may, and most likely will, be required.

  • Must be able to work nights and weekends

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.

  • Insane 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.

  • Subject line of the email must read: Seven sicilian sailors sailing the seven seas.

  • 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 six months of professional experience at a commercial brewery or 3 years of home brewing experience.

  • Bachelor’s degree and/or formal brewing education preferred.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter and resume to ilovebeer@smogcitybrewing.com OR fill out the form below.

The cover letter should describe why you are interested in the position and why Smog City Brewing Company should hire you. 

Please provide a resume that includes all relevant work history. It should also contain your education and any formal/informal brewery training.

You must provide 3 references, one character reference, one professional reference and a third of either character or professional nature.  At least one reference should be from your current/most recent place of work.

References WILL be checked.

APPLY HERE