Distillery Tour Guide

Distillery Tour Guide

Iron Fish Distillery seeks a Tour Guide (part time) for general public and private groups to greet guests, share the history of our farm and the story of Iron Fish Distillery, the art and craft of distilling, as well as lead groups through spirit and specialty food product tastings.

Iron Fish Distillery was founded in 2016, as Michigan’s first farm distillery. Located along the Betsie River watershed, home of the Steelhead, we are “Returning Spirit to Its Origin” by creating a line of estate spirits, distilled from the ground up on our 120-acre farm. We value every step of our soil-to-spirit process in creating estate spirits, starting in our farm fields where we grow and harvest our own grain to milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, and barrel aging which all occur on site. Iron Fish also sources bourbon for finishing in barrels from around the world. To date, our library of barrel-aged spirits exceeds 2,000 barrels, consisting of carefully sourced farm barrel finished whiskies as well as estate whiskies distilled from grain grown on our farm and from nearby farms. Iron Fish Distillery spirits are sold throughout Michigan, and available for online delivery in most states.

More than eight years into our journey, we celebrate the support our community has shown us, and work hard every day to earn their affection through a sincere commitment to learning and improving. Our spirit portfolio has earned international accolades and critical acclaim, while our craft cocktail, and wood-fired, local, fresh ingredient menu has earned 5-star ratings from local residents and guests from across the country. We prize the team at Iron Fish Distillery who work tirelessly to create a unique farm destination experience anchored by exceptional spirits, cocktails, food, and entertainment.

We seek a Tour Guide who can fit in well with a company culture where drive, collaboration, and talent converge to make it all work. Iron Fish Distillery celebrates a collaborative work environment and our team shares some common characteristics: We are passionate about craft spirits, committed to quality, share a positive world view, and generosity of spirit. We are adaptable and confident in our work while remaining curious about how we can improve.

This position reports to the Spirits and Merchandise Manager

Responsibilities

Tour Guides are responsible for providing a curated and in-depth experience for guests who are willing and eager to learn about the history of our farm, and the story of and the spirits produced by Iron Fish Distillery. Tour Guides are Iron Fish Distillery brand ambassadors, storytellers, educators, and craft spirits enthusiasts.

Duties

• Lead private groups of 4 to 15 people on guided tours, lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours, multiple times a day.
• Introduce guests to craft spirits and the origins of farm distilling.
• Share the history of Iron Fish Distillery and its farm.
• Communicate the company values and natural farming practices.
• Explain the craft spirit creation process, from grain to glass.
• Discuss barrel aging and whiskey finishing techniques.
• Conduct tastings of spirit samples for guests.
• Set up and break down group tours, including seating arrangements, glassware, and spirits, preparing the tour spaces for the next group.
• Develop guest brand loyalty and promote sales of Iron Fish spirits, cocktails, merchandise, and destination offerings.

Skills Required

The ideal candidate is eager to join the craft beverage and spirits industry, shares a passion for and interest in the craft beverage industry, and is eager to be a part of the consumer shift from global to local. The candidate holds a passion for and interest in learning more about the local farm-to-table movement and craft spirits industry.

This person will have attained a Bachelor’s Degree with a preference for concentrations in Liberal Arts, Education, Communications, Creative or Performing Arts or related fields, and will come to the position with hospitality, communication and sales abilities. The individual is at ease and skilled in interpersonal communications, and comfortable with relationship building across urban and rural multi-cultural contexts. While the position requires a high level of independence, the person collaborates with our marketing, events, sales, and Front of House team members to build revenue and loyal fans of our brand. The candidate will be a good communicator, able to "think on their feet" while engaging with large, diverse groups, adept at “reading” people and able to make adjustments to build the attention, curiosity and affinity of guests.

The person should ideally have knowledge of point-of-sale systems and be comfortable with online reservation systems. Other skills desirable:

• Knowledge of craft spirits, craft cocktails and on-premise experience.
• Friendly and outgoing.
• Special consideration will be given to those with spirits, sales, teaching or hospitality backgrounds.

While training and education will be offered, candidates with basic knowledge of distilling will be given special consideration.

Requirements for this position:

• Display excellent customer service skills and ability to engage with the public.
• Able to portray a positive, professional manner in all customer situations.
• Have a passion for spirits and selling premium spirits.
• Must be able to work weekends and holidays.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to lift at least 40 lbs. and work on your feet for long periods of time.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Hold a valid Michigan Driver’s License.
• Bar & Restaurant knowledge a plus, but not required.

Knowledge needed for this position:

Some on the job training will be necessary for this position, but basic spirit knowledge will be needed.

Training will include:

• Grain growing basics
• Distilling and spirits profile basics
• Barrel aging process
• Farming process and crops grown by Iron Fish Distillery
• Distillery and barrel aging operations
• Iron Fish Distillery product offering and distribution channels.
• Story of Iron Fish Distillery (our community collaborations and connection)
• POS and tour reservation system basics

Work Location:

• One location

Typical end time:

• 6PM

Typical start time:

• 12PM

Work Remotely

• No

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 – 20 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Schedule:

• Day shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $20