ASSISTANT BREWER :: jOBS

We’re hiring! Feel free to drop us a line and introduce yourself [scroll down].

OVERVIEW:

First State Brewing Company (FSBC) is an award-winning Brewery, Taproom + Kitchen located in Middletown, Delaware. FSBC operates a production microbrewery with a 20-BBL production brewhouse and a 3-BBL R&D brewhouse. FSBC currently distributes products throughout Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., E. Pennsylvania, Virginia and Oregon.

FSBC seeks an experienced, professional, and passionate Assistant Brewer. The ideal candidate should have a passion for craft beer and the brewing industry, at least 2 years professional brewery experience, a formal brewing education, an uncompromising commitment to quality and safety, and a continuous improvement mindset.

The Assistant Brewer is an important role that is responsible for assisting with managing, executing and enhancing all brewery operations, including raw material handling, brewing, cellaring, packaging, equipment maintenance, cleaning, sanitization, and safety. This is a very hands-on position.

Assistant Brewer reports to the Brewery Operations Manager. Assistant Brewer is a full-time non-exempt position, generally working 30-40 hours per week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operations

• Assist with execution and enhancement of:

  • overall Brewery operations

  • raw materials handling, including receiving, storage, milling, etc.

  • ‘hot-side’ brewing operations, including mashing, lautering, wort boiling, transferring, grain-out, clean-in-place (CIP), etc.

  • ‘cold-side’ cellar operations, including yeast management (i.e., pitching, harvesting, propagation, etc.), tank additions (i.e., dry-hopping, fruiting, etc.), tank drops, fining, filtering, transferring, centrifuging, carbonating, CIP, etc.

  • packaging operations, including canning, kegging, CIP, etc.

  • equipment operations, including preventative maintenance and repairs for all brewing equipment, packaging equipment, steam boiler, glycol chiller, mill, pumps, CIP cart, lift station, effluent tank, etc.

  • wastewater operations and side-streaming procedures

  • beer, cider, seltzer and barrel-aging programs

  • Brewery operations and quality SOPs to ensure products are produced consistently, free of defects, true to style and of the highest quality

  • safety SOPs to ensure a safe work environment, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance with applicable OSHA standards including hazard communication, lock-out/tag-out, confined space entry, chemical handling, etc.

  • cleaning and sanitization SOPs for all Brewery equipment and work areas

  • equipment SOPs to ensure safe use and compliance with manufacturer operating best practices and preventative maintenance schedules

• Assist with ensuring that awareness of and compliance with all Brewery SOPs are maintained and that work is completed in a consistent, safe, and efficient manner

• Assist with ensuring that the Brewery equipment and production areas are kept clean, organized, and in good working order to meet quality, sanitization, and safety standards; and are ‘tour ready’ at the end of each work day

Events

• Assist with executing internal events including team events, trainings, beer dinners, promotions, etc., including those held on evenings and weekends

• Attend and represent the Company and its products at external festivals and events, including those held on evenings and weekends

General

• Support the Brewery Operations Manager as required; Perform other duties as assigned

• Maintain a positive, professional and respectful demeanor at all times when interacting with or communicating with internal or external personnel

• Manage time and activities efficiently to maximize production

• Support and promote the Company’s culture, mission, core values and guiding principles

• Be an ambassador for the Company and its products

• Stay current with developing beer styles and industry trends; propose new recipes and innovation ideas

• Continue to improve knowledge of craft beer, brewing science, brewing technologies, and leadership, through internal and industry training, and self-study

• Strictly adhere to all applicable Company and department specific policies, standard operating procedures, checklists, etc.

• Strictly adhere to responsible alcohol practices and applicable laws and regulations

• Maintain an OSHA compliant certification for use of fork lifts or obtain within thirty (30) days of employment

• Maintain an OSHA compliant certification for use of ariel/scissor lifts or obtain within thirty (30) days of employment

• Maintain General Certificate in Brewing (Institute of Brewing & Distilling) certification or obtain within one (1) year of employment

• Maintain Delaware Responsible Alcoholic Beverage Server Training Program certification or obtain within thirty (30) days of employment

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience

• Two (2) years of professional brewery (10+ BBL) experience is required

• Diploma or certificate from an accredited professional brewing program (i.e., Siebel Institute, American Brewers Guild, etc.) is strongly preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in brewing science or technology, or related technical field is preferred

• Fork lift experience and certification is preferred

• Ariel/scissor lift experience and certification is preferred

Physical

• Ability and willingness to:

  • lift sixty (60) pounds individually and one-hundred seventy (170) pounds with assistance

  • work in cold, hot, wet, humid and loud environments for extended periods

  • perform a variety of physical tasks including heavy lifting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motion, over the course of several hours

  • endure working long shifts and standing for 8-12 hours per day

  • operate heavy machinery, power tools and hand tools

  • work with hazardous chemicals

General

• Passion for the craft beer and brewing industry

• Knowledge & Skills:

  • brewing and fermentation science and technology

  • brewing process and recipe formation

  • workplace safety and brewery hazards

  • mechanical, engineering, electrical and plumbing

  • problem solving and troubleshooting

  • craft beer styles and beer serving

  • draft equipment, maintenance, and troubleshooting

  • communication, organization, time management and multi-tasking

• Ability to manage and prioritize work load with minimal oversight

• Ability to work both independently and within a team to accomplish goals/objectives

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines and goals/objectives

• Positive attitude and professional demeanor in all situations; Ability to maintain composure if conflicts arise

• Strong work ethic

• Consistency and reliability

• Strive for constant and never-ending improvement

• Willingness to maintain a flexible schedule and ability to work days, evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays, as needed

• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, insurance coverage and reliable vehicle

• Valid work authorization documentation (Form I-9)

• At least 21 years of age

• Be a good human

Disclaimer: This job description is intended to present an illustrative description of the range of duties, the scope of responsibility and the required level of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to describe the primary functions of the job; they are not intended to reflect all duties and may not be comprehensive or all-inclusive. Employees are expected to perform all other duties as assigned or directed by management. Job descriptions, roles and responsibilities may be modified at any time if deemed appropriate by management.

CONTACT

Interested in a Assistant Brewer position at First State Brewing Company?

Don’t be shy… Drop us a line and introduce yourself! ;)