Switchback employees are now the owners

Bill Cherry, owner and brewmaster of Switchback Brewing Co. in Burlington, had a surprise for his 30 employees earlier this week. They are all now officially partners in ownership of the 14-year-old company.

Cherry will remain as brewmaster and president.

"I wanted Switchback to be Vermont-owned forever," Cherry said in a statement. "Entrusting the brewery to the employees ensures the company will carry on with its mission to provide great beer and great jobs to the local community."

The move makes Switchback the first 100 percent employee-owned brewery in Vermont through an employee stock ownership plan, according to the company.