Yo Colorado! Part 3: Bonus - New Belgium Brewery

I was fortunate enough to be able to go on a tour of the New Belgium Brewery in Ft. Collins, Colorado.  Tours usually book up weeks in advance... I got the last spot for pretty much the only day I could go, and they were able to accommodate my buddy Saul, even though he didn't have a reservation.

Instead of me writing on the history of New Belgium, I'll let you read their version here if you want to.

One of the most impressive things about the company is that it is employee owned, so everyone has a stake in making a quality product and everyone profits when they do well.  They are consistently named as one of the best places to work in America by Outside Magazine.

They are also very energy conscious, capitalizing on opportunities for not only minimizing energy loss through innovative processes, but also utilizing alternative sources of energy.  New Belgium was the first brewery to harness wind power in the United States.

New Belgium is the third largest craft brewery in the United States, behind Samuel Adams and Sierra Nevada.  But New Belgium is only sold in 28 states, while the other two are sold in all 50 states.  Apparently lots of big names in the industry had taken tours just to see what all the hype was about, namely Guinness and Samuel Adams.

In addition to checking out the big machines used in the brewing process, we got to sample a few types of beer, including sour La Folie.  Sounds gross, but it's actually very good if you give it a chance.

On to the pics!

New Belgium Brewing HQ

A slide and a foosball table?  What kind of business is this?

How many bottles on the lamp?  I think it was 154 if I remember correctly

Electric car pump

Rare La Folie sour brown ale

Massive oak barrels for some of their more experimental beers

Badge of honor

The enzymes and $#*% are collaborating together to make some kind of mixture...

Hmm...beeeer.

Salud! or Prost! or something.

Spongebob Squarepants

Decisions, decisions

These are the company issued bikes after your first year of employment.

With the new headbadge, we are now kindred spirits.  And share magical powers.