March 2012

Deli Ninja

Do you love Short’s Brewing company and the craft brewing industry? Do you want to help us make some of the best food on earth? Do you like working with people who care – in Northern Michigan? Are you looking for a full-time, permanent job with great perks? Short’s Brewing Company seeks an employee with kitchen experience who is passionate about the hospitality industry, is a team player, and has experience in a large volume food operation. Some essential skills will include effectively preparing our menu items in quantity, prepping food, knife skills, and practicing strong oral and written communication skills.

You will need to be able to lift 50 pounds to chest height, stand on your feet for 8-10 hours per day, climb stairs repeatedly, and tolerate hot environments.  We are seeking someone with experience and we will compensate accordingly ($10-$15 per hour).  Other perks include health insurance.

Maintenance and Welding Ninja

We are looking for another maintenance team member. This is a new position, requiring in-depth technical and hands-on mechanical skills, plus significant welding experience including sanitary welding proficiency. The successful candidate will have exceptional mechanical and welding skills, a self-motivated personality, and the ability to organize, plan ahead, and follow through with difficult tasks. Other special trades skills such as CAD, HVAC, electrical, and/or mechanical experience will be considered favorably. Please also indicate related experience with fluid process systems, filler machines, packaging and conveyance systems, 5-S workplace organization or lean manufacturing, and the operation of forklifts, trucks, and tractors.

This position requires the ability to work in a fast paced environment, stand for over eight hours at a time, repeatedly lift up to 75 lbs to shoulder height, and work in extreme temperatures for extended periods of time in a wet and loud production environment, with chemicals of varying composition. This job requires a person who is able to be punctual and reliable on a day to day basis. Pay Range will depend upon qualifications and experience.  Other benefits include health insurance.

If you are interested in either of these positions, please send your resume and cover letter, or any inquiries that you may have, to employment [at] shortsbrewing.com.

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We are currently looking for a talented candidate with a great attitude and work ethic to serve as a packaging line worker in Elk Rapids. The packaging line worker is responsible for erecting and building six packs and case boxes with finished product and other similar duties. The packaging line worker is also responsible for cleaning and filling kegs. If you are interested in this employment opportunity, please email your resume and cover letter, or any questions that you may have, to: employment [at] shortsbrewing [dot] com.

- SBC Human Resources

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We recently completed our ambitious $2 million dollar production brewery renovation. Highlights of the project included a new mill and grain handling system, 16 new 90 barrel tanks, new administrative offices, a new lab, a new production floor, as well as new hard lines feeding all of our tanks. Throughout the process, we’ve documented the action with time lapse cameras. Watch the 3rd and final tank drop here, or if you missed the first two, watch them here- phase 1 and phase 2. Michael Murphy IV professionally photographed much of the renovation process and his photos can be viewed here.

Phase 3 from Short's Vimeo on Vimeo.

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UPDATE:  We will be taking applicants resumes until Wednesday 7/25/12. Thanks to all of the applicants!

Do you want to get into brewing? Do you love Short’s? Did you know that our pub still makes almost all of its own beer onsite? We are seeking an Assistant Pub Brewer who will be in training to become a second Pub Brewer. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the elite few brewers in our company. We originally posted this position last spring, but it has not yet been filled so we wanted to re-open it to make sure that all interested applicants have applied. We seek someone who is organized and hard-working. Some brewing experience is appreciated, but mechanical aptitude and a love for Short’s is just as important.

This position includes tasks such as:

• Working closely with Ryan Hale, our Pub Brewer, to help him keep up with the demands of our pub brewery.
• Cleaning and organizing the pub brewery.
• Transferring, conditioning, and packaging beer.
• Monitoring draft beer quality, as well as cleaning and maintaining the beer lines and draft pouring system.
• Communicating brewery related information with pub staff and customers, including during brewery tours.
• Shipping and receiving, including fork truck use.
• Participation in brewery festivals and special events.
• Learning how to be a Short’s Brewer and to make Short’s beer on our pub system.

The Production Brewer should be able to meet the physical requirements of lifting 75 pounds to shoulder height, being on his or her feet for up to 12 hours per day, and being able to operate a fork lift, load and unload trucks. The Production Brewer will also be expected to have the computer, writing and math skills necessary to accurately complete an SOP, a recipe, an inventory sheet, time card and compose an email. Regular attendance and punctuality are mandatory.

Please note that this position is located in Bellaire, Michigan and will require night and weekend work. The starting pay range is $9 to $10.50 per hour. The successful candidates wages will be adjusted upward upon the successful candidates completion of several months of training and graduation to the Pub Brewer position.

Please send your resume and cover letter, or any inquiries that you may have, to employment [at] shortsbrewing.com.

- SBC Human Resources

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One of our most popular specialty bottle releases has made its way back to stores: Strawberry Short’s Cake. Now in its 4th year as a recurring Short’s specialty brew and 3rd year in bottles, Strawberry Short’s Cake continues to inspire the imagination of what flavor profiles can be developed within craft beer.

The concept of Strawberry Short’s Cake was proposed by our Pub Brewer, Ryan Hale. Joe Short wrote the recipe and brewed the first batch in Bellaire on June 12, 2009. Leaning heavily on specialty grains called Victory Malt and Special Roast that create biscuit-like flavors, and by incorporating real strawberries and milk sugar, Joe was able to create a beer that mimicked the famous summertime desert.

Brewing three consecutive batches in Elk Rapids, we yielded 660 cases, along with 32 1/2 barrels for statewide distribution. There is approximately one ounce of milk sugar and one once of real strawberries for each 12oz bottle of Strawberry Short’s Cake produced.

The label art for Strawberry Short’s Cake was designed by one of Leah Short’s best friends, Sage Hannah. This artwork depicts exactly what we were trying to create with this beer. Literally a liquefied version of this classic dessert served up in pint glass.

We hope you enjoy this unique summer tradition. Get your hands on it now, as it won’t be back until next year.

- Matt Drake, SBC

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As we recently reported, we’re currently making a number of infrastructure upgrades inside our Elk Rapids production brewery. We have currently installed 12 of 16 new tanks, as well as the new grain handling system and mill. We have also torn out our packaging side floor and are currently watching the new concrete be poured. We’ve been working through weekends, nights, and holidays in order to keep the project on track. Although we had to stop brewing for a short time, there will be no disruption in our beer or to our release schedule. Our brewers are excited to commence brewing again in a few days.

To see our second tank delivery and watch us drop new tanks through the roof, view the timelapse video below! We’ve also posted new photos to our Flickr page, here. Thanks to everyone for all of the kind words of support as we complete this renovation.

Phase 2 from Short’s Vimeo on Vimeo.

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UPDATE:  We will be taking applicants resumes until Wednesday 7/25/12

Are you a computer ninja? Do you have SQL and IT skills and love Short’s? We’re looking for someone to help us with various IT needs, including developing, maintaining, and updating various databases and data management solutions.

Requirements include: SQL programing ability, familiar with networking and Microsoft operating systems and software, including Excel, Word, Windows Server, and all related programs. HTML experience is a bonus.
Please submit a resume describing your relevant education and work experience, plus a resume describing why you want to work at Short’s. As we now have offices in
northern Michigan and Wixom, please indicate your preferred work location. Please submit your application materials to employment[at]shortsbrewing[dot]com.

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