Head Brewer - The Fermentorium Beverage Co.

Job Title: Head BrewerCompany: The Fermentorium Beverage Co.Location: Cedarburg, WIJob Type: Full-time, Hourly + OvertimePay: $25–$29 per hour, DOE (overtime eligible)Job SummaryFounded 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.ResponsibilitiesOversee 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.Qualifications3+ 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.