Steam Whistle will brew New Belgium’s Fat Tire Amber Ale for the Canadian market

Toronto-based Steam Whistle Brewing has reached an agreement with New Belgium Brewing Co., one of the world’s leading craft breweries, to brew its most popular brand for the Canadian market. Steam Whistle will brew Fat Tire Amber Ale at its Etobicoke facility and market and distribute the beer inspired by Belgian brewing traditions across the country. Fat Tire will be available across Canada in April.

“Founded in Fort Collins, Colorado, New Belgium is known for their beers of exceptional quality and is widely regarded as one of the most sustainable breweries in the U.S.,” says Tim McLaughlin, Vice-President of Marketing at Steam Whistle. “At Steam Whistle, we take environmental conservation very seriously throughout every aspect of our operation. It is a natural partnership for us to bring Fat Tire to Canada.”

“We spent over two years meeting with potential partners throughout Canada, searching for the right fit,” says Rich Rush, New Belgium’s East Coast & Canada Sales Director. “After meeting the Steam Whistle crew and seeing how they operate, we knew immediately that this was a match made in heaven.”

New Belgium is a 100% employee owned brewery that, like Steam Whistle, uses only water, malt, hops and yeast in the crafting of its beer — no preservatives, no additives, no artificial foam enhancers, no corn syrup and no artificial flavours. Fat Tire Amber Ale is its flagship beer, made with House Ale Yeast, Willamette, Goldings and Nugget hops and Pale, C-80, Munich and Victory malts.

Hailed as an easy-drinking beer that is clear and bright with white lacing, it has aromas of sweet biscuit and caramel malts with hints of fresh fennel and green apple and a flavor described as a perfect balance of hops and malt. Fat Tire Amber Ale is 5.2 percent ABV with an IBU of 22.

“We are proud to brew a pure pilsner using only four ingredients,” says McLaughlin. “We have embarked on this venture because we are confident that Fat Tire meets not only our purity standards, but also our social responsibility to brew great beers with minimal impact on our surrounding environment.”