E-Malt.com News article: USA, CO: New Belgium Co.’s beers to be available in Florida

New Belgium Brewing Co. continues increasing sales of its line of beers across the nation, adding Florida to the list of states where Fat Tire Amber Ale is served, Coloradoan.com reported on June, 7.

The Fort Collins-based brewery will start distribution June, 27 in Florida, making it the 32nd state in which New Belgium distributes.

New Belgium has in recent years increased its production and distribution, expanding its reach across the nation. The brewery’s aim is to become a national brand with distribution in every state.

New Belgium will start selling 22-ounce packages of some of its core brands such as Fat Tire, Ranger, 1554 and its seasonal and Lips of Faith offerings in July. Draft and 12-ounce packages will follow in September, according to the brewery.

The brewery looks to increase production by 10 percent-15 percent annually to meet current market demands and expand into new territories.

“Florida will be our 32nd state of distribution, and it’s probably the one we’ve heard from most often about,” New Belgium Florida sales director Jeff Sipes said. “A lot of us have friends and family in state, so it’s a bit of a homecoming that way. We’re excited.”

New Belgium recently expanded its Fort Collins brewery, increasing capacity and adding new features such as 32 oaken foeders for wood-beer conditioning. The brewery produced 764,424 barrels in 2012, a 16 percent increase from 2011.

New Belgium also plans to start construction on its East Coast brewery - originally planned for this summer - to 2014.

New Belgium, the third-largest craft brewer in the nation, plans to begin beer production in Asheville in 2015, beginning with a capacity of 400,000 barrels.



12 June, 2013