Get Urban Milwaukee’s top stories delivered to you every day
New Barons Brewing Cooperative, 2018 S. 1st St. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
Heidi Dalibor, co-CEO and founder of New Barons Brewing Cooperative (NBBC), announced her resignation on Monday after eight years at the helm of the company.
“Serving New Barons has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” she wrote in a heartfelt message to member-owners. “It has been an honor to work with such a dedicated community and I am deeply grateful for the trust and support they have shown in me throughout my tenure.”
Dalibor said the difficult decision was based on the scope of work available at NBBC and payment limitations.
“I’ve been willing to make sacrifices in the name of the cooperative, but it’s proven to be unsustainable.”
That’s not to say the business itself is struggling, she clarified.
“This is not a negative reflection on our success; we have been in a favorable position to date. Unfortunately, our success does not currently translate into better compensation, benefits or work-life balance.”
Your daily dose of Milwaukee news
In his farewell message, Dalibor thanked the brewery’s founding team, especially head brewer John DeGroot.
“I want to thank John and our staff, to whom I owe a debt,” she wrote. “None of this would have been possible without John’s vision and leadership, and the dedication and hard work of staff, past and present.”
NBBC first launched in 2017 and opened a permanent taproom in 2020 at 2018 S. 1st St. on the north end of Bay View.
Dalibor, who also serves as the bar’s general manager, is due to step down in about two months and is working on a transition plan.
“As I prepare to move on to the next chapter in my career, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition. This retirement will not happen overnight.”
Her message ended with further thanks to everyone involved in the brewery’s success.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve this amazing community. Words cannot express how deeply grateful I am for the experiences, relationships and memories that will stay with me forever. You are what make this place so special.”
