New Belgium Brewing Company — Restaurant in Fort Collins

Always an awesome time!

If you are in town visiting or maybe live nearby & just have never gone... Go!

The guided tours are free & the beer is free! How can you beat that? You can't. That's how.

Tours run every half hour or hour starting at 11:30am & running until 4:30 I think. Times may not be 100% and may change but from memory I believe it's accurate as of the time of typing this.

You can reserve a date & time but it's not a requirement. With a larger group you may need to but for 2-4 people you can fly standby which is what we've almost always done since reservations are generally booked months in advance. If you show up they put your name & group # on a list & if enough the next tour has room they put you on it at the time it starts.

This tour is outstanding & you learn something new each time. Depending on who your tour guide is your experience will vary but it's always a good time. Very cool to learn of the humble beginnings of a successful emoyee-owned company that started right here in Fort Collins.

Grab a beer in the tap house, put your name on the tour wait list & then enjoy the atmosphere. I highly suggest trying the La Folie which is an insanely good sour beer. They'll explain sour beers during one stop of the tour but the advice I will give if it's your first time trying a sour: give it 3-5 sips before deciding if you like it or not. I'm guilty of deciding I hated it after one sip but by the 5th... I was hooked. It'e a completely different beer drinking experience & New Belgium has one of not THE best sour beer.

This review spot lights sour beers because it's the style of beer most aren't familiar with even though it's definitely the next up & coming type of beer. Of course they have all of the beers everyone is familiar with but if you haven't yet I urge you to give sour beers a try. The tour also features the old familiar standbys: Abbey, 1554 & of course Fat Tire.

There's something for every palate!

The only reason this isn't a 5-star review are some minor detractors:

1. Sometimes the tour guide can get into political tangents that IMO can take away from the experience. For most, beer is a way to escape the world outside & politics we are so often overwhelmed with. Not everyone agrees with your politics just because you share a love for beer so please eliminate this from the tours. I appreciate what NB does in most instances for our environment but I don't need to have it used as propaganda when I'm a captive audience as some of the political aspects of the topics can be inflammatory if someone doesn't agree with all of the moving parts. Usually you don't experience this on most tours but be prepared to tune it out if you get the rare tour that includes it.

2. The other beef I have is no paper towels in the restrooms. Those air blades are stupid because there's no way not to touch them when using them so I have to assume everyone else used as good of hand cleaning technique as me which is rarely the case. Not to mention there's no way to open the door w/o touching the gross filthy door handle. I foot pull or paper towels would make this experience much less disgusting.

This aren't deal breakers for me but I can't give a place 5 stars unless it's a perfect experience & I like it enough to explain what I deducted the star for. Maybe they can address items I personally feel are bad. Maybe others don't. I don't want to spend too much time on these as they're pretty nitpicky in the grand scheme of things in what is otherwise an awesome experience.

Now that we're through the negative part of the review I want to end on a high...

Update: In addition to the degradations to the tour experience mentioned in previous comments, sketchy claims showing up on the product labels. Today I noticed they are trying to bolster their image by claiming their orange peel is sourced locally- from Northern Colorado which of course is pure obfuscation and potentially a Federal label law violation.

R.I.P. company I’ve loved since the early 1990s. As of today I’ve made my last purchase.

Prior review: One of the great things in the past about New Belgium tours is that while the guides have a framework to operate within they have the flexibility to speak to their particular interests which keeps the tour fresh. The guide we had yesterday a) called me stupid in response to my questions about one of her explanations that no one in my section of the tour group understood; b) got chippy with another gentleman for asking questions; c) ignored completely yet another person’s questions (seemingly because it was off script but who knows…) d) barely mentioned sustainability which used to be huge part of their mission; e) went on a long rant about how lucky she was not to get laid off during the start of the pandemic. Good for her but not what I paid to hear!

Changes post-acquisition:

1. Paying $12+ for the tour I didn’t mind so much but I was the driver for our group so drank virtually nothing and was verbally abused by the tour guide for asking a simple clarification type of question so the fee rankles a bit.

2. They got rid of the Abbey Ale (one of my favorites) because they weren’t making enough money with it according to the tour guide.

3. You apparently are no longer invited to use the spiral slide at the end of the tour. At least we weren’t this time.

4. From the lack of mention and disrepair of a couple sustainability exhibits they used to be proud of I’d say sustainability and “fun” are going by the wayside at New Belgium.

5. not nearly as much merchandise for sale in the little store and overall quality seems to have plummeted. I paid $25 for a t-shirt (gift) that upon getting home realized it won’t last 6 months.

Assuming my intense unhappiness with yesterday’s tour eventually fades I’ll give them another chance but it seems the tour is no longer the consistently great experience it used to be. I contacted New Belgium about it and the response was virtually, “so what,...

Title: A Craft Beer Odyssey: VIP Tour at New Belgium Brewery, Fort Collins, Colorado

Rating: ★★★★★

Embarking on the VIP tour at New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, was nothing short of a craft beer enthusiast's dream come true. Led by the knowledgeable and personable tour guide Kate, our journey through the brewery's history, processes, and flavors was an absolute delight from start to finish.

Kate's passion for brewing and the New Belgium story, founded by the dynamic duo Kim Jordan and Jeff Lebesch, shone through in every detail she shared. From the humble beginnings of the brewery in a basement to its current status as a craft beer icon, Kate painted a vivid picture of the brewery's evolution, making us feel like part of the New Belgium family.

The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process. From the aromatic hop fields to the towering fermentation tanks, Kate guided us through each step with infectious enthusiasm and expertise. Learning about the innovative techniques and sustainable practices employed by New Belgium added an extra layer of appreciation to the art of craft brewing.

Of course, no visit to New Belgium would be complete without sampling their legendary brews, and Kate ensured that our VIP experience was nothing short of extraordinary. From classic favorites to exclusive releases, each tasting was a palate-pleasing adventure, showcasing the brewery's commitment to quality and creativity.

Beyond the beer, Kate also provided insight into New Belgium's vibrant culture and community engagement initiatives. From their employee-owned business model to their philanthropic efforts, it's clear that New Belgium is more than just a brewery – it's a beacon of positivity in the community.

In conclusion, the VIP tour at New Belgium Brewery, led by the fantastic guide Kate, is an absolute must-do for anyone with a passion for craft beer and a thirst for knowledge. Whether you're a seasoned beer connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this immersive experience offers something for everyone. Raise a glass to Kate, Kim Jordan, Jeff Lebesch, and the entire New Belgium team for an unforgettable journey through the world of craft beer.

Cheers! Keith & Evelyn...