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New Belgium Brewing Company, a certified B-Corporation, has narrowed down its list of potential East Coast brewery sites to two: the Philadelphia area and Asheville, North Carolina. The Fort Collins-based company, which produces Fat Tire Ale, said the facility would create 100 to 120 jobs and produce up to 500,000 barrels a year. It would also serve as an East Coast distribution centre.
What You'll Learn
New Belgium Brewing Company's history
The New Belgium Brewing Company was founded in 1991 by Kim Jordan and Jeff Lebesch, who were inspired to bring Belgian brewing traditions to their hometown after a bike trip through Belgium. The company was launched from the basement of Jordan and Lebesch's Fort Collins home, where they installed brewing equipment and began test brews of two beers: an amber ale named Fat Tire and a Belgian-style dubbel called "Abbey".
Later that month, both beers were sold for the first time at the Colorado Brewers' Festival. Abbey Ale won a gold medal in the Specialty Category at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. At the time, Belgian-style beers were so rare in the craft beer scene that they didn't have their own category.
In 1999, New Belgium became the first wind-powered brewery in the United States. By 2002, the company had expanded its distribution to 16 states and, by 2015, it had become the fourth-largest craft brewer in the country and the eighth-largest brewer overall in the United States.
In 2016, New Belgium expanded to Asheville, North Carolina, and in 2018 to Denver, Colorado. In 2019, the company was acquired by the Australian subsidiary of Kirin beverage group of Japan, Lion.
Today, New Belgium produces a range of year-round beers, including Fat Tire Amber Ale, Fat Tire Belgian White, Voodoo Ranger IPA, Citradelic Tangerine IPA, and Honey Orange Tripel. The company also has a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and is known for its eccentric corporate culture, including its longstanding tradition of giving branded anniversary bikes to employees celebrating their one-year anniversary.
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New Belgium's beer varieties
New Belgium Brewing Company is a nationally distributed brewery in the United States, producing a variety of beers, including:
Fat Tire
Fat Tire is a well-known variety of beer produced by New Belgium. It has a unique recipe that originates from a co-founder's bicycle trip through Belgium, visiting various breweries. The Fat Tire Amber Ale was selected by Esquire as one of the "Best Canned Beers to Drink Now" in 2012. In January 2023, New Belgium changed the recipe of its flagship Fat Tire ale, making it lighter and crisper. The Fat Tire brand also includes other varieties such as the Winter Collection and collaborations with other companies.
Voodoo Ranger
The Voodoo Ranger family of IPAs is another popular offering from New Belgium. This includes varieties such as the Juicy Haze IPA, Fruit Force IPA, and Mango IPA. The Voodoo Ranger line has a distinctive branding and is known for its bold, fruity flavours.
Other Varieties
In addition to Fat Tire and Voodoo Ranger, New Belgium Brewing Company offers a wide range of other beers, including seasonal and special releases. Some of their other varieties are:
- Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza
- La Folie Sour Brown Ale
- Dominga Grapefruit Paloma Ale
- Enlightened Dark Ale
- Belgian-style Tripel
- Wild Nectar Passionfruit Orange Mango
- Cranberry & Spice Ale
- Mountain Time Premium Lager
- Old Aggie Superior Lager
- Transatlantique Kriek
- Citradelic Tangerine IPA
- Dayblazer Blonde Ale
- Honey Orange Tripel
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New Belgium's commitment to the LGBTQ+ community
New Belgium Brewing has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ communities for over 20 years. They were the first craft brewery to be recognised as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the HRC's Corporate Equality Index, with a perfect score of 100, which they have maintained in 2023. The company's onsite physician in Fort Collins is trained in transgender medicine and healthcare, and they offer equal spousal and partner healthcare.
New Belgium has been a member of the Human Rights Campaign Business Coalition for the Equality Act for over two decades and advocates against discriminatory public policy. They are proud supporters of organisations working for LGBTQ+ health, education, and equity year-round and do not make financial contributions to organisations that support anti-LGBTQ+ policy.
The company's commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is reflected in its comprehensive audit of the employee and customer experience, mandatory company-wide Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training, expansion of employee-led affinity groups, and strategic and philanthropic partnerships that centre leadership from communities facing historical and systemic inequalities.
New Belgium's co-founder, Kim Jordan, was a social worker before starting the company and has always made a committed effort to address inequities in communities and across the country. The company's unique culture is defined by individual empowerment and collective action, with a focus on long-term business results.
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New Belgium's Fort Collins location
New Belgium Brewing Company is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, at 500 Linden Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524, to be precise. The company began operations in a tiny basement in this location in 1991 and has since grown to produce a variety of beers, including the popular Fat Tire Amber Ale, the Voodoo Ranger IPA family, and seasonal releases like the sour beer favourite, La Folie.
New Belgium Brewing Company is a Certified B-Corporation and is committed to being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs and a dedication to environmental stewardship. The company also takes pride in celebrating the visibility of LGBTQ+ communities.
The Fort Collins location offers tours and private events, as well as a range of community events like Bingo, Trivia, and Tap Talks. They also host a Community Wellness Fair, outdoor line dancing, and a Fat Tire Sustainable Swap Series.
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New Belgium's expansion to the East Coast
New Belgium Brewing Company is a certified B-Corporation and maker of Fat Tire Belgian Style Ale, Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza, Voodoo Ranger IPA, 1554 and other Belgian-inspired beers. The company began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, New Belgium produces year-round beers including: Fat Tire Amber Ale, Fat Tire Belgian White, Voodoo Ranger IPA family, Citradelic Tangerine IPA, Hemperor HPA, 1554, Trippel, Honey Orange Tripel and Dayblazer, as well as a host of seasonal releases and special releases that includes sour beer favorites La Folie, Le Terroir and Transatlantique Kriek.
In 2019, New Belgium announced its expansion to the East Coast with the opening of a new brewery in Asheville, North Carolina. The new brewery was built to meet the growing demand for its beers and to increase its production capacity. The Asheville brewery is New Belgium's second production facility, after its original brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The Asheville brewery is located in the South Slope neighborhood of Asheville, known for its vibrant craft beer scene. The brewery features a tasting room, an outdoor patio, and a rooftop terrace. The tasting room offers a variety of New Belgium beers on tap, including year-round favorites and limited-release beers. The brewery also offers guided tours, providing visitors with an inside look at the brewing process and a chance to learn about the history of New Belgium.
The expansion to the East Coast has allowed New Belgium to increase its distribution footprint and reach new markets in the region. The Asheville brewery has helped New Belgium expand its presence in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, making its beers more accessible to consumers in these areas.
The Asheville brewery has also played a role in New Belgium's sustainability efforts. The brewery features a number of environmentally friendly features, such as solar panels, water-saving fixtures, and a wastewater treatment system. The brewery's sustainability initiatives are in line with New Belgium's commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices.
The expansion to the East Coast has been well-received by beer enthusiasts in the region, and New Belgium has established a strong presence in the Asheville craft beer community. The Asheville brewery has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a unique experience that combines great beer, food, and entertainment.
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Frequently asked questions
New Belgium Brewing Co. has not yet confirmed if they will be opening a brewery in the state of PA. However, you can find their beer in 28 states, including PA.
New Belgium Brewing Co. produces Fat Tire Ale, Fat Tire Amber Ale, Fat Tire Belgian White, Voodoo Ranger IPA family, Citradeic Tangerine IPA, Hemperor HPA, 1554, Trippel, Honey Orange Tripel, and Dayblazer. They also have a host of seasonal releases, including sour beer favorites La Folie, Le Terroir, and Transatlantique Kriek.
New Belgium Brewing Co. is a certified B-Corporation and maker of Fat Tire Belgian Style Ale. It was founded in 1991 by Jeff Lebesch, a basement brewer who returned to Fort Collins after an epic mountain bike trip throughout Europe, where he sampled local brews. His wife, Kim Jordan, is now the company's CEO.
