USA, CO: New Belgium’s brewmaster to start his own Purpose Brewing and Cellars

Peter Bouckaert has spent recent weekends cleaning kegs.

That’s not typically a task he completes at his day job as New Belgium brewmaster. But the Belgian brewer enjoys working on a smaller scale — so much so that he’s stepping down from his 21-year post at New Belgium at the end of the year to start Purpose Brewing and Cellars in Fort Collins with the new owners of 1933 Brewing, The Coloradoan reported on May 19.

“I’m really looking forward to the simplicity of it,” Bouckaert said. “Brewing on a small system...and making beers that you don’t have to reproduce.”

The brewery is scheduled to open at the former 1933 Brewing space at 4025 S. Mason St. this summer.

Bouackert, the La Folie creator who is credited with introducing sour beers to America, said he was inspired during a recent sabbatical where he traveled the world to write a book on wood-aging.

“I sort of rediscovered the beauty of brewing,” Bouackert said.

Bouackert said his decision surprised many executives and co-workers. The announcement was made to New Belgium staff on May 18.

New Belgium, which also had its CEO surprisingly step down in November, is the fourth largest craft brewer in the country and the largest in Colorado.

“The hardest thing is leaving the passion at New Belgium,” Bouckaert said. “I’m proud of what we have been able to accomplish. I’ve been able to learn so much there.”

Bouackert was initially recruited from Belgium to be New Belgium’s brewmaster in 1996. His wife Frezi will continue to work at the brewery’s liquid center.

“Creative people like new challenges,” New Belgium co-founder Kim Jordan said in a press release. “We wish (Bouackert) well; I have loved our time together.”

Bouackert will now brew with Zach Wilson, who bought 1933 Brewing with his wife Laura.

Zach had previously been the head brewer at 1933. The couple closed 1933 Brewing on New Year’s Eve to start a rebranding effort.

“It’s incredible to start a business and concept with someone I look up to,” said Zach, who grew up homebrewing with his father.

The brewers have been planning their business for more than a year.

“I was convinced (Bouackert) was joking when he first said he wanted to work with us,” Laura said.

While the brewery will launch out of the old 1933 space, Purpose Brewing and Cellars will eventually relocate to a Fort Collins farm. They are currently in negotiations with five different sites.

The new spot will also feature wood-fired coffee.

Right now, the new brewery has a collection of wine and whiskey barrels, about half of which are full.

“We want to explain the story behind each beer when people come in,” Laura said.

And the accomplished Bouckaert is looking forward to creating on a much smaller scale.

“New Belgium brews 10 fold in a day compared to the volume we are going to sell in a year,” Bouackert said. “But I am excited for all the different directions I can brew in."

19 May, 2017