Brewer/ Cellarperson

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.