New Belgium to launch 10-bbl sour-focused pilot brewery

New Belgium Brewing Co. never seems to take a moment off. Its either launching new collaborations or creating new ownership structure or adding solar power or winning awards or giving to charity or expanding across the country and on and on. The brewery that never sleeps is now about to launch yet another new venture in the form of a 10-bbl pilot brewery at The Source Hotel in Denver’s River North District (RiNo).

New Belgium will brew on the ground floor of the Source Hotel, with barrel aging taking place on the 8th floor in a rooftop lounge, dubbed “The Woods,” a collaboration between New Belgium and The Source Hotel. “The Woods” will serve New Belgium beers paired with small plates and will include a snack counter and bar, sit-down dining and beer garden. The 8th floor will also include a pool and roof deck with mountain and downtown views.

New Belgium beers originating from the 2,000-square foot brewery will go to establishments in The Source Hotel and expanded market hall. The 50 oak barrels for on-site aging will help expand New Belgium’s sour beer offerings, which the brewery has been producing since 1998. That’s when brewmaster Peter Bouckaert first introduced aging beer in wood barrels and blending to New Belgium. The brewery’s current cellar in Ft. Collins — also known as the foeder forest — now has 64 French Oak foeders, or barrels, making it one of the most comprehensive wood beer programs in the country.

“After 25 years in Ft. Collins, we’re really excited to get more deeply involved in Colorado’s cultural and political capital,” said Jenn Vervier, director of strategy and sustainability at New Belgium. “We’ve long considered creating a Denver location to bring the New Belgium experience to more of our Colorado fans and to the millions of travelers who visit Denver. RiNo is already a vivid scene with a rich art and craft beer culture, and will soon have great access for bikers and walkers. This small batch brewery will allow us to collaborate with The Woods’ chef and mixologists to create innovative beers, drinks and pairings you can’t get anywhere else. The Source Hotel and the Zeppelin Development team are the perfect fit.”

Zeppelin Development, the Denver-based boutique development company behind The Source Hotel and expanded market hall, will work with the group behind The St. Julien Hotel in Boulder, Colo. to operate The Source Hotel. Construction is set to begin this summer, with an anticipated opening in the first quarter 2017.

For a totally different but cool story on how to accidentally launch a sour program, click this highlighted text.