Our Story

Our commitment

Our commitment has always been to offer a high-quality product for a fair price.

We consider our customers our family and we want you to know all about us. We believe in building relationships and are fortunate to be connected to so many wonderful people.

We are humbled and excited by the positive impact and destination Hillsboro Brewing Company has become for our town, Vernon County, and the State of Wisconsin.

Where we began
For those of you who don’t know us, we are Snapper and Kim Verbsky. And before you ask, yes, that is his real name!

Snapper was born and raised here in Hillsboro, and his family has been here for 5 generations. I am a transplant and have called Hillsboro home for the past 26 years. Together, we have raised our 3 children here. As the children grow older and begin to embark on their own adventures, their roots will always be here and their values have been shaped by growing up in this tight-knit rural community.

Being a fifth-generation resident of Hillsboro, Snapper’s pride in his hometown has always been strong. His talent in carpentry pairs well with his desire to improve the community, leading him to purchase and restore several buildings in Hillsboro.

Such was the case with the original HBC Pub location, which was a mere 3,500 square feet. When we bought the building, we knew two things: first, to offer something that wasn’t already offered in our area, and second, to create jobs. These things led to the idea of a pizzeria. This eventually evolved to include a brewery, because Snapper’s father Joe had a keen interest in making his own beer.

For about a year, Joe had been working on one specific recipe, and on Tuesday, October 15th, 2012, he put a batch to brew and told Snapper “I think I got it! This is the one.”

On Thursday, October 17th, 2012, we received the news that Joe had been in a car accident and had passed away. Our world had been turned upside down.

The following week, the beer that Joe had been brewing was ready. So, we raised our glasses, took a drink, and realized he was right. This was the one! Joe Beer was born, and our journey had begun.

Where we are now
After opening the original pub location on Water Street, we slowly and steadily grew the business through hard work, quality products, and a fun and friendly atmosphere. In 2015, we opened our own brewing facility a few blocks away and, thanks to Joe’s friend David Dietz, expanded our brewing capabilities.

Our beers were so well received that it quickly became clear we would need to expand once again, which led to the purchase of the building we are in today. The massive 28,000-square-foot historic building that Hillsboro Brewing Company now calls home is a 109-year-old former factory that for many years was used to produce condensed milk. Now, it’s used to produce good beer, good food, and good times.

In 2019 we added a new brand to our business, willow + oak Event Center. While the first floor of the building houses the HBC pub, Hillsboro Exchange Company, and 2e brewery, the second floor is an event center for large weddings, events, and conventions. With such a beautiful space, we knew it needed to be shared, and what better way to do that than hosting life’s greatest moments?

In 2022 we added The Brewery House. Our completely renovated short-term rental property that sleeps 20. This house is located adjacent to HBC and has a lot of brewing history. It was the original brewer's house for the original Hillsboro brewing company back in the early 1900s.

Things are going well here at Hillsboro Brewing Company, and we are glad to be able to share our success with the community and the public. With more than 40 brews, seltzers, sours & root beer brewed on-site and available on tap & in cans, our appetizers, burgers, and specialty pizzas you'll most certainly find something to suit your taste.

Where we hope to be
Our goals for the future are simple. We want to continue to improve and expand our business, create more jobs, and enrich our community. Hillsboro Brewing Company is family-built, family-owned, and family-friendly, and it’s our hope that you will feel that as soon as you walk through our doors.

With appreciation,
Snapper and Kim Verbsky