With so many brands to choose from, nearly everyone has a favorite beer; New Belgium Brewing has a number of powerful fans. Literally. This environmentally-conscious company is the first wind-powered brewery in the US, and one that operates on a core purpose: “to operate a profitable brewery which makes our love and talent manifest.”

While some beer companies might be in it only for the bucks, New Belgium holds a number of values. First is the production of world-class beers and “the promotion of beer culture and the responsible enjoyment of beer.” However, the company also champions social, cultural and environmental change.

New Belgium’s protection of natural resources is demonstrated in a number of ways. An innovative, efficient brew kettle uses less energy than traditional methods, and the green design of the building features efficient lighting and cooling as well as recycled materials. Methane derived from cleaning the water used in beer production is used to supply up to 15% of the facility’s energy.

• The company was founded in a basement in Fort Collins, Colorado; the founder’s wife was the first bottler, sales rep, distributor and marketer in an enterprise that has grown to nearly 350 employees
• An electrical engineer, the founder built his own home brewing system out of recycled dairy equipment, moving to commercial production in 1991 based on favorable reviews by friends

A bike trip in Belgium served as the inspiration for both the company name and the moniker of the first product, Fat Tire, an amber brew. This employee-owned operation also awards an ownership stake to celebrate workers’ first anniversaries, along with a cruiser bike.

New Belgium also sponsors a philanthropic bike festival, Tour de Fat. Along with the inherently green nature of human-powered transportation, the event features a solar-powered stage and compostable cups to sample the beer. And Team Wonderbike, with more than 10,000 members, has gathered pledges to increase ridership. In all, the company designates 1% of its revenue to be donated to nonprofit organizations that support the environment.

Looking ahead, New Belgium has set even more aggressive goals for environmental responsibility. Reduction in carbon footprint by 25% and water usage by 10%, along with increase in landfill diversion rate to 95% are the next accomplishments on the horizon.

With all the talk of environmental responsibility, don’t forget the beer. The company site provides a description of each of its nearly 39 varieties, some seasonal. Each includes food pairing recommendations from “flavorful chefs and sensory magicians.”

Changing the definition of green beer from a St. Patrick’s Day beverage to a value-driven approach is New Belgium’s claim to fame.  The company is hoping its customers will be motivated to drink responsibly, and, while they’re at it, not have too much beer.