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Table of Contents
Introduction
New Belgium Brewing Company is one of the most well-known craft beer producers in the United States. Founded in 1991, the company has grown to become the fourth-largest craft brewery in the country. With a wide variety of beers, from IPAs to sours, New Belgium has something for everyone. But with the rise of craft beer, is New Belgium still considered a craft brewery? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and take a look at what makes New Belgium a craft brewery.
Is New Belgium Still Considered a Craft Brewery?
Yes, New Belgium Brewing Company is still considered a craft brewery. Founded in 1991, New Belgium is the fourth-largest craft brewery in the United States and the eighth-largest overall. The Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade group that defines and promotes craft beer in the United States, defines a craft brewery as “small, independent, and traditional.”
New Belgium meets all of these criteria. The brewery produces fewer than 6 million barrels of beer annually, is independently owned, and produces traditional styles of beer. In addition, New Belgium has been a leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship, which is a hallmark of craft breweries.
In 2019, New Belgium was acquired by Lion Little World Beverages, a subsidiary of Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd. However, the Brewers Association has stated that the acquisition does not disqualify New Belgium from being considered a craft brewery. As long as the brewery meets the criteria outlined by the Brewers Association, it will remain a craft brewery.
Exploring the History of New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Founded in 1991 by Jeff Lebesch and Kim Jordan, the company has grown to become one of the largest craft breweries in the United States.
The story of New Belgium Brewing Company began in 1989 when Jeff Lebesch, an electrical engineer, took a bicycle trip through Belgium. During his travels, he was inspired by the country’s beer culture and decided to bring some of the flavors and styles back to the United States. Upon his return, he began experimenting with home brewing and eventually created a recipe for a Belgian-style beer.
In 1991, Jeff and his wife Kim Jordan founded New Belgium Brewing Company. The company’s first beer, Fat Tire Amber Ale, was an instant hit and quickly became one of the most popular craft beers in the country. The company has since expanded its portfolio to include a variety of other styles, including IPAs, lagers, sours, and barrel-aged beers.
New Belgium Brewing Company has also become known for its commitment to sustainability. The company has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including using wind power to generate electricity, using recycled materials in its packaging, and donating spent grain to local farmers.
Today, New Belgium Brewing Company is one of the most successful craft breweries in the United States. Its beers are available in all 50 states and it has become a leader in the craft beer industry. The company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation has helped it to become a leader in the craft beer industry and a model for other breweries.
How New Belgium’s Expansion Has Impacted the Craft Beer Industry
The craft beer industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years, and New Belgium Brewing Company has been a major contributor to this success. Founded in 1991, New Belgium has become one of the largest craft breweries in the United States, and its expansion has had a significant impact on the craft beer industry.
New Belgium’s expansion has helped to increase the visibility of craft beer. The brewery has grown to become a nationally recognized brand, and its presence in the market has helped to raise awareness of craft beer among consumers. This increased visibility has helped to drive sales of craft beer, as more people are exposed to the variety of flavors and styles available.
New Belgium’s expansion has also helped to create more competition in the craft beer market. As the brewery has grown, it has opened up new markets and increased the number of craft breweries in the United States. This increased competition has helped to drive innovation in the industry, as brewers strive to create unique and interesting beers to stand out from the crowd.
Finally, New Belgium’s expansion has helped to create more jobs in the craft beer industry. As the brewery has grown, it has created more opportunities for brewers, distributors, and other industry professionals. This has helped to create a more vibrant and sustainable craft beer industry, as more people are able to find employment in the sector.
Overall, New Belgium’s expansion has had a positive impact on the craft beer industry. The brewery’s growth has helped to increase the visibility of craft beer, create more competition in the market, and create more jobs in the industry. As a result, the craft beer industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years, and New Belgium has been a major contributor to this success.
The Pros and Cons of New Belgium’s Growth
New Belgium Brewing Company is a craft beer company that has experienced tremendous growth since its founding in 1991. The company has become one of the most successful craft breweries in the United States, and its success has been attributed to its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. However, with growth comes both advantages and disadvantages.
The primary advantage of New Belgium’s growth is that it has allowed the company to expand its reach and increase its production capacity. This has enabled the company to produce more beer and reach more customers. Additionally, the company has been able to invest in new technologies and processes that have improved the quality of its beer. This has allowed New Belgium to remain competitive in the craft beer market and maintain its position as one of the top craft breweries in the United States.
The primary disadvantage of New Belgium’s growth is that it has led to increased competition in the craft beer market. As the company has grown, so have the number of craft breweries competing for market share. This has led to increased pressure on New Belgium to remain competitive and has forced the company to invest more in marketing and advertising. Additionally, the increased competition has led to a decrease in the company’s profit margins, as it has had to lower prices in order to remain competitive.
Overall, New Belgium’s growth has been beneficial for the company and its customers. The company has been able to expand its reach and increase its production capacity, which has allowed it to produce more beer and reach more customers. Additionally, the company has been able to invest in new technologies and processes that have improved the quality of its beer. However, the increased competition in the craft beer market has led to decreased profit margins and increased pressure on the company to remain competitive.
Examining the Quality of New Belgium’s Craft Beers
New Belgium Brewing Company is a craft beer producer based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Founded in 1991, the company has become one of the most successful craft breweries in the United States, producing a wide variety of award-winning beers. In this article, we will examine the quality of New Belgium’s craft beers and discuss why they have become so popular.
New Belgium’s beers are renowned for their high quality and unique flavor profiles. The company uses only the finest ingredients, including malted barley, hops, yeast, and water. The brewing process is carefully monitored to ensure that each beer is brewed to the highest standards. The company also employs a variety of techniques to create unique flavor profiles, such as barrel-aging, dry-hopping, and blending.
The quality of New Belgium’s beers is further enhanced by their commitment to sustainability. The company is committed to using renewable energy sources, reducing water usage, and minimizing waste. This commitment to sustainability has earned New Belgium numerous awards, including the EPA’s Green Business Award and the Brewers Association’s Sustainability Award.
New Belgium’s beers have also earned numerous awards from beer competitions around the world. The company has won numerous medals at the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup, and the European Beer Star Awards. These awards are a testament to the quality of New Belgium’s beers.
In conclusion, New Belgium’s craft beers are of the highest quality. The company uses only the finest ingredients and employs a variety of techniques to create unique flavor profiles. Furthermore, New Belgium is committed to sustainability, which has earned them numerous awards. Finally, the company’s beers have won numerous awards from beer competitions around the world, further demonstrating their quality.
Q&A
1. Is New Belgium still craft beer?
Yes, New Belgium is still considered a craft beer. It is one of the largest craft breweries in the United States and is widely available in many states.
2. What type of beer does New Belgium produce?
New Belgium produces a wide variety of beers, including IPAs, lagers, sours, and barrel-aged beers. They also produce a variety of seasonal and limited-edition beers.
3. Where is New Belgium located?
New Belgium is located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
4. How long has New Belgium been in business?
New Belgium has been in business since 1991.
5. Does New Belgium offer tours of their brewery?
Yes, New Belgium offers tours of their brewery. The tours are available seven days a week and include samples of their beer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, New Belgium is still considered a craft beer by many beer enthusiasts. The company has been around for over 25 years and has consistently produced high-quality, flavorful beers. They have also been innovative in their approach to brewing, introducing new styles and flavors to the craft beer market. New Belgium is a great example of a craft brewery that has been able to stay true to its roots while still evolving and growing with the times.