It’s been nearly six years since Stubborn Brothers Brewery officially opened its doors to the Shawano community. Since then, it’s been a two-way street for the business and local nonprofits.
Co-owners Aaron and Erik Gilling said SBB chose Shawano as its home back in 2016 based on the area’s potential and enthusiasm for creating a thriving community. Renovations began at the former Crescent Theater, 220 S. Main St., in 2020, and the community did not disappoint.
“Each year, we support local organizations such as 100 Women Who Care, Boys & Girls Club, local 4-H, Optimists Club, youth sports, local public and parochial schools, parks and rec events,” Aaron Gilling wrote on the nomination questionnaire. “We were so grateful to collaborate with the city of Shawano in planning the Naberhood (Plaza), leading up to its opening in 2023, and have since worked with parks and rec to create and sponsor the Naberhood Block Party programming the past three summers.”
Stubborn Brothers Brewery was honored Feb. 26 as the 2025 Business of the Year by the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce.
As for the beer, production has increased tenfold since 2020, going from 200-300 barrels that first year to more than 2,000 in 2025.
“We have gone from selling only within our own brewpub to self-distributing to now having three distributors and our products in hundreds of bars, restaurants and retailers in central and northern Wisconsin,” Gilling said.
That growth in production also included an expansion of equipment and staffing, which went from one to six in the past four years.
Gilling said SBB strives to create an environment where employees feel valued within the organization.
“We encourage new ideas and suggestions, work-life balance and a fun work environment,” he said.
Any new business venture will be faced with challenges, and SBB is no different — right from the beginning. The doors opened March 14, 2020, and the same week, bars and restaurants were ordered closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Overcoming challenges requires grit and a can-do attitude in facing them,” Gilling said. “Each challenge presents an opportunity to become a better and stronger organization. We have an incredibly strong and dedicated team to help work through growing pains.”
Their biggest challenge today is keeping up with demand, he said.
“We feel incredibly lucky that there is need for our products in the market and are aiming to expand our distribution territory in the coming years with plans for a larger brewhouse,” Gilling said.
