Head Brewer

Job Title: Head Brewer

Company: The Fermentorium Beverage Co.

Location: Cedarburg, WI

Job Type: Full-time, Hourly + Overtime

Pay: $25–$29 per hour, DOE (overtime eligible)

Job Summary

Founded in 2015, The Fermentorium Beverage Co. is a craft beverage company in Cedarburg, WI producing award-winning beer, THC seltzers, hard sodas, and non-alcoholic offerings. We are seeking a hands-on Head Brewer to lead day-to-day production, drive new product development, and help shape our future growth.

This is a full-time hourly leadership role (typically 35–45 hours per week) with overtime opportunities, flexible scheduling, and a clear path to a future Director of Brewing Operations position. The Head Brewer reports directly to the President.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and assist with all aspects of brewing: mash-in, lautering, wort transfers, fermentation monitoring, pH/gravity checks, and tank transfers.
• Manage yeast health, propagation, harvesting, and strain selection.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safety-conscious production facility.
• Operate and help maintain a Wild Goose two-head canning line and kegging operations.
• Lead the pilot brewing program and develop small-batch recipes that inform future releases.
• Brew and refine modern styles, including hazy IPAs, fruited sours, pastry stouts, and other specialty beers.
• Contribute to THC beverages, hard seltzers, sodas, and other new product lines.
• Troubleshoot, maintain, and repair brewing and packaging equipment as needed.
• Assist with facility management and special projects.
• Manage and track raw material and packaging inventory; order ingredients and supplies.
• Oversee and assist with cleaning, sanitation, sensory evaluation, and basic lab testing.
• Maintain accurate production and inventory records in Ekos Brewmaster and Excel.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and production protocols.
• Train, mentor, and support production staff; foster a positive, collaborative culture.
• Oversee and assist with planning, monitoring, blending, and packaging of barrel-aged projects.
• Represent the brewery at festivals, beer dinners, taproom events, and with mug club members.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a production brewery; leadership or shift lead experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of modern styles: saturated hazy IPAs, fruited sours, pastry stouts.
• Experience with backsweetened, shelf-stable beverages and non-alcoholic sodas.
• Solid experience with yeast management, fermentation, and cellaring.
• Strong mechanical aptitude; able to troubleshoot and repair brewing and packaging equipment.
• Proficient with Ekos Brewmaster (or similar brewery software) and Microsoft Excel.
• Able to work independently, prioritize, and manage time effectively in a small team.
• Positive, team-oriented, and collaborative attitude.
• Desire for ongoing education and professional development; keeps up with industry trends, podcasts, and publications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Forklift certified (or willing to become certified).
• Able to lift 55 lbs, move full kegs, and work in hot/cold/variable conditions.
• Valid driver’s license.

Benefits

• $25–$29 per hour, depending on experience (overtime eligible).
• Three weeks of PTO to start.
• Flexible scheduling within production needs.
• Beverage allowance and employee perks.
• Paid participation in brewfests, beer dinners, and collaboration events.
• High degree of creative freedom, especially with pilot and specialty releases.
• Clear growth path to Director of Brewing Operations as the company grows.