QA Lab Tech / Brewer
Alewerks Brewing Company is seeking a full-time brewer also capable of handling lab duties at our brewery in Williamsburg, VA. Alewerks opened is 2006 and distributes throughout Virginia in kegs and bottles. Our main production facility produced 6,200 bbls. in 2017 and we are in the process of installing a 3.5 bbl. Small-batch system to let our brewers flex their creative muscles. We are seeking a self-motivated individual who loves beer and is not afraid to put in hard work for a quality product.
Job Summary: The individual is responsible for controlling all quality assurance aspects of the brewery in the laboratory while also working alongside the brew team in order to maintain production targets in the brewery.
Supervisor - Lead Brewer
Department - Production
Roles & Responsibilities
Perform routine analysis of all yeast cultures
Collect and analyze wort & beer throughout production to ensure microbiological stability
Analyze Dissolved Oxygen levels in wort, fermentation, packaging, and finished product
Monitor proper chemical usage/titrations in brewery, cleaning, packaging operations, etc.
Monitor all aspects of fermentation (Extract, pH, etc.)
Monitor (non-sour) barrel-aged beer microbiological stability
Monitor sour beer barrel-aged beer (pH, Specific Gravity, Titratable Acidity, etc.)
Analyze finished beer parameters: Protein, IBU, ABV, etc.
Conduct forced fermentations to determine true final density
Assist with the development of new SOPs
Communicate results with brewery staff and management
Maintain laboratory equipment: Hach Orbisphere, Video Microscope, Spectrometer, etc.
Maintain proper lab beer inventory for recall testing
Set up and oversee weekly sensory taste panel
Data entry – lab results, yeast counts, sensory taste panel data, fermentation/brew-day data, etc.
Maintain an organized laboratory
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field of study: Biology, Chemistry, etc.
Brewing Science Degree from accredited Brewing School (Heriot-Watt, Univ. Cal. Davis, American Brewer’s Guild, Siebel, Brewlab, Doemans, Weinhenstephan, etc.)
Basic laboratory proficiency
Strong communication skills
Schedule
10:00am - 6:30pm Monday - Friday with occasional weekend requirements
Compensation
Health care
Paid Vacation
Retirement Compensation
Salary dependent upon experience
Work clothing
Interested candidates shouuld apply to Geoff@alewerks.com