Craft beer drinkers, there is a beer-centric destination in the Western United States that you must visit. Fly, drive, and do what you’ve got to do to get to Fort Collins, Colorado, to take New Belgium Brewing’s brewery tour.
Home to 20+ breweries and craft beverage producers, Fort Collins is an ideal place for your next “beercation.” As you plan your trip, check out our other Colorado guides, including our Front Range guide and packing tips.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you click on one of these links and make a travel booking or purchase. Also, I’d like to thank Visit Fort Collins for coordinating my tour. As always, all opinions are my own.
What is New Belgium Brewing?
As you may have deduced from its name, New Belgium Brewing is a craft brewery specializing in Belgian-style beers. In fact, the brewery’s Belgian-style dubbel, Abbey, put this Fort Collins brewery on the map.
Back in 1988, the New Belgium co-founders, Kim Jordan and Jeff Lebesch, were a young couple cycling their way through Belgium when inspiration struck to bring Belgian brewing traditions to their hometown, Fort Collins, Colorado.
By 1991, the couple had installed brewing equipment in their basement and began testing two brews, Abbey and the amber ale Fat Tire.
Two years later, Abbey won a gold medal in the “Specialty Category” at the Great American Beer Festival®. At the time, Belgian-style beers were so rare in American craft brewing that there wasn’t even a category for them yet!
As the brewery grew, it needed a larger space for production. In 1995, New Belgium moved into its current space, which you can visit for beer tastings, brewery tours, and other special events.
Why take a New Belgium brewery tour?
If you are familiar with American craft beers, you’ve probably already consumed one of New Belgium Brewing’s beers. Abbey, Fat Tire, and Snapshot are so widely distributed that you will likely find one of these beers at a bar or beer retailer near you.
By touring the brewery in Fort Collins, you’ll see firsthand how those beers are crafted. You’ll also sample some of the lesser-known beers that may be rarer to find beyond Colorado.
For beer-tasting newbies, this interactive tour and guided tasting is an educational and fun introduction. Seasoned craft beer enthusiasts will enjoy seeing behind the scenes, asking the brewers questions, and drinking the free samples.
What kind of brewery tours are offered?
New Belgium Brewing offers three brewery tours:
New Belgium Tour: This 45-minute, family-friendly tour ends with a ride down the brewery’s slide! It includes samples for participants of legal drinking age (21+ with ID) and runs at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are free, but only 20 tickets are available for each tour and must be claimed in person on the tour day.
Production Tour: This 90-minute tour introduces the New Belgium lineup with stories of the brewery’s unique history, interesting brewing facts, tastes of the brewery’s craft beers, and a touch of quirkiness. It’s open to participants ages 12 and older, though only those 21+ may sample the beers. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to two months in advance. Tickets cost $15/person plus a small booking fee.
Private Production Tour: Perfect for bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate events, and other group celebrations, this 90-minute private tour accommodates up to 20 participants. Private tours cost $300, and inquiries should be made at least two weeks in advance.
Tasting the New Belgium Beers
The tour I took in September 2014 began with the basics of beer tasting. We were taught how to look at the clarity, color, and legs. We sniffed the aromas, trying to pick up subtle hints of fruits, nuts, and spices. We sipped — always three times — noting the feel of each brew and the flavors we tasted.
I tasted six beers during the 90-minute tour. The beers you sample may be different based on when you go and which beers are available at that time, but here is a closer look at the beers I tasted:
Saison
This is a golden, full-bodied brew with a slightly citrus-like aroma and a balance of sweet and bitter taste finishing a bit sour.
Fat Tire
This medium-bodied amber ale tastes very malty combined with a hoppy bitterness.
La Folie
I puckered up at the tart taste of this sour brown ale. I remember smelling cherries in the aroma and being completely shocked by the first swallow’s sharp sourness, but it started to grow on me by sip three.
Abbey
This award-winning Belgian-style ale has a deep mahogany color, creamy texture, and complex flavors with hints of clove, banana, chocolate, and smoke.
Snapshot
This cloudy wheat beer with a bread-like and lemon aroma tastes sweet and tangy with a smooth, creamy feel.
Ranger IPA
Tasting like a “cleaning product from under my sink,” as one woman on the tour described it, this Indian Pale Ale has a bold up-front citrus flavor followed by a bitter bite of hops. I’m a fan, but clearly, IPAs are an acquired taste.
Where to Stay in Fort Collins
Are you planning a beer-cation in Fort Collins? You’ll find several Fort Collins accommodations less than two miles from both New Belgium Brewing and Odell Brewing Company. Below, I’ve shared my top picks for staying near the New Belgium brewery in Fort Collins.
The Elizabeth Hotel, Autograph Collection [Earn Marriott Points]
Located only .6 miles from New Belgium Brewing, The Elizabeth Hotel is ideally located for craft beer enthusiasts.
This Old Town Fort Collins hotel is also a wonderful choice for music lovers. It has a music-themed suite, live music performances, in-room record players, and an instrument-lending library.
Culinary travelers will also enjoy the on-site restaurant, wine shop, and rooftop lounge with panoramic views.
The Armstrong Hotel [Historic Boutique]
The Armstrong Hotel is 1.2 miles from New Belgium, and with its complimentary bike rentals, you could pedal your way to craft beer paradise in less than 10 minutes.
I also recommend this boutique hotel with 54 rooms for its historic location and city views.
Another perk foodie travelers are bound to love is Ace Gillett’s Lounge & Supper Club. This in-house restaurant and bar serves handcrafted cocktails and upscale comfort foods.
Edwards House [Luxurious Bed & Breakfast]
Perfect for couples who love craft beer, the Edwards House is near Old Town dining and only 1.3 miles from New Belgium Brewing.
Past guests of this elegant bed-and-breakfast have raved about the garden, lounge, and gourmet breakfast.
Not quite what you are looking for? Browse the map below for more lodging near New Belgium Brewing!
New Belgium Brewing Tours Essential Info
- Location: 500 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524
- Price: $0-15 for public tours, $300 for private tours (up to 20 people)
- Parking: On-site parking lot, street parking
- Reservations: Highly recommended for the production tour
- Food: No on-site restaurant, but there are food trucks
Would I tour New Belgium Brewing Again?
Absolutely! Though most brewery tours are interesting for a one-time visit, the quirkiness of New Belgium Brewing makes its brewery tour a can’t-miss activity worth doing more than once.
During my time at New Belgium Brewing, I discovered a love for sour ales and saisons. I also enjoyed see the whole brewing process firsthand — right down to the canning and bottling.
The climbing wall and famous curly slide that I slid down to the bar were fun, unique surprises. I haven’t experienced anything like that on any other brewery tour, and I’ve been on quite a few!
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I am a TOTAL New Belgium junky. I drink Fat Tire in the summer a lot, and I’ve recently gotten into drinking Snapshot a bit too. It’s great to see that tours are free. Sounds like it’s worth a visit!
I’m not a beer fan but sometimes I get lucky and find one that I like. Looks fun!
Oh how I would love to do this. Bookmarking for future reference. Rather partial to Belgian beer myself and have a growing fondness for craft beers as well. #weekendwanderlust
Looks like a very cool brewery! I love all of the decor and the variety of brews looks amazing!
Sounds like a fun time. I’m not really a beer person but I’ve been on a few tours, in Nashville and also San Diego.
Two cities I love, and San Diego has quite the craft beer scene! Do you remember which ones you toured, Liz?
Great post! It made me want to book a ticket to Colorado just to go on the New Belgium tour again!
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