Whole Foods Market (WFM) is looking to take a step into the beer business.
Whole Foods recently posted a job advertisement looking for a brewer with at least three years of experience overseeing beer brewing operations and operating a 7-barrel brewhouse. The ad indicated that the brewer — to be based at its new Post Oak Boulevard store in Houston, Texas — would be expected to represent the “Whole Foods Market Post Oak Brewery” at media and brewer association events.
According to the ad, the beer brewer would begin work at the WFM location at the beginning of May, the Houston Chronicle notes.
The ad said Whole Foods was looking for someone who could create new beer recipes, brew beer for store and bar venue sales, perform daily beer tank level readings and develop a beer production schedule.
WFM stopped taking applications for the position on March 23.
A Whole Foods representative told Huffington Post that launching its own brewery “seemed like a natural evolution.” The chain has already built bars and eateries at its stores nationwide.
Whole Foods hasn’t determined whether the beer brewed at the Post Oak store will be sold at other locations, or how much beer will be brewed on site.
WFM’s move into beer brewing comes as craft beers see increasingly popularity with consumers. Last year, a study by industry research firm Mintel indicated that craft beer sales had doubled between 2007 and 2012, and were projected to triple by 2017.
Small beverage producers have prospered when connected to large retail chains. For instance, California-based Bronco Wine Company’s discount Charles Shaw label wines — known as “Two Buck Chuck” and tethered to Trader Joe’s — have gained considerable popularity over the years.
WFM stock was up more than 1% in Friday midday trading.
