Summary/Objective

To lead and manage all aspects of brewing operations, producing high-quality, innovative, and customer-focused beer that drives revenue and attracts patrons to the brewery taproom. The Head Brewer will balance creativity with operational excellence, aligning beer production with market trends and customer preferences to maximize profitability while ensuring an exceptional taproom experience.

Core Values

Big Grove only hires and retains people who exhibit our core values. Our Core Values are:

1. Set the Tone

2. Thirst for Improvement

3. We Care

4. Practice Candor

5. Passion Driven

Attached to this job requisition is a culture deck explaining these core values. The goal of our culture deck is to show you who we are as a company, and then you can decide if you personally align with us and are excited to begin a career here.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Serve as a brand ambassador during special releases and events in taprooms, emphasizing exceptional guest experiences through brewery tours, beer sampling, and engagement.

2. Lead staff training and development focused on beer production, styles, and industry knowledge.

3. Ensure a safe work environment through safe work habits, understanding of risks, compliance with regulations, and following corrective action plans for any identified safety hazards and risks as directed by management.

4. Perform and troubleshoot all functions of the brewery and cellar per standard operating procedures, including but not limited to, raw ingredient handling, wort production, yeast management, dry-hopping, barrel handling, clarification, clean-in-place systems, quality assurance, record keeping, and general cleaning and maintaining Brewhouse Area including Boiler Room and Mill Room.

5. Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workspace.

6. Collaborate with the Director of Brewing and Store Director to plan and schedule beer brewing and finishing processes.

7. Coordinate with the Manager of Brewery Operations to manage ingredient and supply deliveries to the brewery.

8. Manage and oversee the ordering and inventory of guest draft beer and packaged to-go beer, ensuring optimal stock levels and a well-curated selection that complements the brewery's offerings. Collaborate effectively with partners, including FOH, Distributing Partners, and Iowa City Production, to maintain strong relationships and streamline procurement and inventory processes.

9. Follow corrective action plans as needed to ensure all core beers match the established quality standards as directed.

10. Report, evaluate and interpret wort and beer quality daily, including analytical results, process consistency, and taste. Implement changes to improve processes, recipes, beer flavor and consistency as directed. Dump Trub, Pitch Yeast and record all Brewhouse Measurements.

11. Conduct monthly inventory checks for salts, Servomyces, Supermoss, grains, and hops.

    1. Manage grain inventory, deliveries, and spent grain removal by coordinating with local farmers.

12. Oversee yeast pitching and cell count management.

13. Document all beer movements in the EKOS software system.

14. Maintain equipment and operating systems, including CIPing Brewhouse, HEX and KO hoses to ensure proper working conditions and perform preventative maintenance as directed. Responsible for ordering replacement parts, hardware, gaskets, tubing etc.

15. Execute recipes according to brew log specifications, accurately recording all relevant data.

16. Operate forklifts and other equipment as required.

17. Complete assigned tasks and action items from weekly L10 management meetings.

Competencies

1. Team focused approach

2. Positive attitude

3. Safety minded

4. Detail oriented

5. Thoroughness

6. Organizational Skills

Be a high performing Big Grove team member with ability to look at business as a whole, communicate with all people, collaborate with all departments, work to solve organizational problems, and accomplish goals. Contribute to and exemplify BGB values, vision, standards, and culture.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Work Environment

• Temperature Variability: The brewery floor may be warm due to production equipment or cooler in storage areas.

• Loud Noise Levels: Constant operation of machinery, conveyor belts, and forklifts may require hearing protection.

• Fast-Paced Setting: Production deadlines and efficiency standards demand a high level of focus and speed.

• Wet or Slippery Floors: Frequent cleaning, liquid spills, and condensation are common, requiring proper footwear.

• Exposure to Chemicals: Cleaning and sanitizing agents are used regularly, requiring protective gear.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Standing and Walking: Ability to stand for long periods and walk throughout the brewery.

Lifting: Must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 30-50 lbs., such as bags of grain, hops cases/pallets, or other supplies as needed.

Reaching, Bending, and Stooping: Regular reaching, bending, and stooping are required to stock supplies, clean equipment, and access ingredients.

Hand Dexterity: Must be able to operate and adjust machines, and equipment, requiring good manual dexterity and coordination.

Physical Stamina: The position demands high energy levels to work in a busy, fast-paced environment during peak hours.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position and hours of work/days may vary from week to week. Schedules will be posted the week prior to allow time for employees to be informed of work requirements. The business is open 7 days a week. Evening and weekends are likely a key requirement.

Travel

None

Preferred Education and Experience

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Up to 1 year of related management or supervisor experience preferred

3. Proficiency in brewing and fermentation processes

4. 2-5 years of experience of professional brewing

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.