New Belgium Brewing Company helped define American craft beer for the mainstream. From the amber ale that turned millions onto craft—Fat Tire—to the chart-topping Voodoo Ranger IPA family, this Fort Collins pioneer continues to balance innovation with a community-first ethos. This spotlight gives you a practical guide to plan your visit: what to drink, what the brewery stands for, and how to make the most of your time in the tasting room.
- Address: 500 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524
- Website: https://www.newbelgium.com/
Quick Snapshot
- Signature Beers: Fat Tire Amber Ale; Voodoo Ranger IPA lineup
- Vibe in 3 Words: Welcoming, inventive, thoughtful
- Why It Matters: A national craft leader known for quality beer, employee-ownership roots, and community impact
The Beer
What They’re Known For
New Belgium’s reputation rests on two pillars: a widely loved amber ale that brought balance and biscuit-y malt into everyday fridges, and a modern IPA program that consistently ranks among the country’s best-selling craft offerings.
- Fat Tire Amber Ale: Clean, toasty malt, a light caramel thread, and a crisp, balanced finish. It’s approachable, food-friendly, and remarkably consistent. When discussing gateway craft beers, Fat Tire is often the example—both for flavor and for how it broadened the audience for craft.
- Voodoo Ranger IPA Family: A rotating cast of IPA expressions built on saturated hop aroma, clarity, and precise bitterness. Standards like Voodoo Ranger IPA and Imperial IPA sit alongside seasonals and limited riffs (e.g., juice-led versions, tropical twists), offering reliable hop character with a modern profile.
While those two families anchor the brand, New Belgium’s portfolio includes lagers, sours, seasonal stouts, and taproom-only projects. The through-line is balance. Even bold beers avoid heaviness; lighter options keep enough flavor to hold interest.
Brewing Approach: Why It Tastes This Clean
- Ingredient discipline: Grain bills that highlight malt flavor without excess sweetness and hop selections chosen for expressive aroma (citrus, pine, stone fruit, tropical).
- Fermentation control: Tight temperature management and yeast health for clean, repeatable profiles. Consistency at scale is a hallmark—and a reason the beer travels well.
- Freshness and QA: Rigorous lab work, sensory panels, and date transparency help keep hop-forward offerings like Voodoo Ranger tasting the way brewers intend.
- Style intent: Whether it’s a crisp lager or a bigger IPA, bitterness, body, and aroma are calibrated to be food-friendly and sessionable.
Must-Try Beers
- Fat Tire Amber Ale: Start here if you love malt balance and a clean finish. It’s a study in approachable complexity.
- Voodoo Ranger IPA: See why this line leads on shelves—bright aromatics, clear hop expression, and a dry snap.
- Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA (availability varies): Bumps up ABV and intensity while keeping bitterness in check.
- Seasonal or small-batch IPA: Ask the bar team what’s freshest; limited runs often spotlight a new hop or technique.
- A lager or pilsner (taproom dependent): Ideal for a palate reset and shows off the brewery’s technical control.
- Sour or specialty release (if available): New Belgium has a long history with wood-aged and mixed-fermentation beers; any taproom nods to that tradition are worth a taster.
Build a Smart Flight
Try four pours in a clean-to-bold progression:
1) Lager or Pilsner (calibrate your palate)
2) Fat Tire (malt-forward balance)
3) Voodoo Ranger IPA (modern hop expression)
4) Seasonal/Imperial IPA or specialty release (depth and contrast)
Add a side taster of any taproom-only beer that catches your eye.
Atmosphere & Experience
Taproom and Campus Feel
The Fort Collins brewery at 500 Linden Street blends polished hospitality with a playful, community vibe. Expect:
- Open, light-filled spaces with views of stainless, wood accents, and colorful artwork that nods to the brand’s cycling heritage and creative labels.
- A buzzing energy on weekends with locals, CSU visitors, families, and beer travelers; calmer afternoons during weekdays for flight-focused tasting and staff conversations.
- Outdoor seating when weather allows, with space that works for groups and casual hangouts.
Service is knowledgeable and friendly. Staff can steer you toward a hop profile you’ll love or pair a plate with a specific beer. If you’re an IPA fan, ask about the latest Voodoo Ranger variant. If you’re more malt-driven, start with Fat Tire and branch into seasonals.
Family- and Dog-Friendliness
- Families: Daytime and early evenings are relaxed and comfortable for groups with kids.
- Dogs: Leashed dogs are typically welcome in designated outdoor areas when policy and weather permit. Check posted signage or the website for current rules.
Events and Happenings
- Small-batch and seasonal release days
- Community gatherings and fundraisers
- Live music or themed nights on select dates
Follow New Belgium’s social channels or events page for the latest schedule—limited drops can move quickly.
Food & Pairings
Food Options
Expect a food program designed to complement beer—shareables, salads, sandwiches, and rotating specials that favor bright acidity, herbs, and balanced seasoning. When food trucks rotate in, the lineup often covers crowd favorites like tacos, burgers, and wood-fired pizzas. Staff can point you to the day’s partner or in-house menu details.
If the kitchen is offering specials, look for citrus accents and char—two elements that make hop-forward beers shine. For malt-driven beers like Fat Tire, savory, caramelized flavors are your friend.
Best Beer + Food Pairings
- Fat Tire + burger with cheddar and caramelized onions: Toasty malt echoes char and sweetness; the crisp finish keeps bites lively.
- Voodoo Ranger IPA + spicy wings or carne asada tacos: Citrus-pine hop oils temper heat and highlight grilled flavors.
- Lager/Pilsner + pretzel with mustard or fried chicken sandwich: Carbonation and bitterness cut salt and fat.
- Seasonal Stout/Porter + chocolate brownie or smoked brisket: Roast and cocoa pair with dessert richness or smoky meats.
- Sour/Specialty + soft cheeses or citrusy salads: Acidity refreshes the palate and amplifies herbs and fruit.
Tip: When exploring multiple IPAs, add a lager taster between pours to reset your palate.
Community-Driven DNA
Employee-Ownership Roots and Local Impact
New Belgium is widely known for an employee-centric culture rooted in its history of employee ownership and community engagement. While corporate structures evolve, the ethos remains: invest in people, give back locally, and design operations with sustainability in mind. For visitors, this shows up in the details—welcoming service, educational touchpoints, and ongoing partnerships with Fort Collins nonprofits.
- Community giving: Regular fundraisers, cause-driven events, and collaborations with local organizations.
- Sustainability practices: Energy efficiency, water stewardship, and waste reduction are part of brewery operations—critical in a region that values environmental responsibility.
- Inclusive hospitality: A taproom designed for mixed groups—beer geeks, casual drinkers, and families alike.
Note: Specific initiatives and program details evolve. Ask staff about current projects—there’s often a fresh story behind the latest collaboration or event.
A National Craft Leader
New Belgium’s scale and consistency help shape the broader craft conversation. Fat Tire made malt-forward balance mainstream without sacrificing character. Voodoo Ranger keeps IPAs lively, approachable, and widely available without losing the hop clarity that fans expect. Between those bookends sits a portfolio that proves craft can be both ambitious and everyday-drinkable.
Industry datapoints illustrate the impact:
- Voodoo Ranger variants frequently rank among the top-selling craft IPAs in U.S. off-premise scans, showing staying power in a crowded category.
- Fat Tire remains a recognized name nationwide, with strong brand recall among both craft veterans and casual shoppers.
Logistics & Practical Tips
Getting There and Parking
- Address: 500 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524
- Parking: On-site and street options nearby; peak evenings and weekends fill fast—arrive early or consider rideshare.
- Getting around: Fort Collins is bike-friendly and walkable from parts of downtown. Cooler months favor rideshare; always plan a safe ride after tasting.
Reservations, Tours, and Waits
- Taproom: Generally first-come; expect a buzz on weekends and during special releases.
- Tours: Offered based on schedule; book ahead online if you want a behind-the-scenes look—slots can fill quickly.
- Groups: For parties or private events, contact the brewery through the website for options and best times.
To-Go Beer
- Core and seasonals: Fresh Fat Tire, Voodoo Ranger IPAs, and select seasonals available cold to-go.
- Limited runs: Watch social channels for drop dates, formats, and purchase limits.
- Freshness tip: Bring an insulated bag or small cooler—Colorado sun and car heaters are tough on hop aroma and lager snap.
Merch Highlights
- Cycling- and label-inspired tees, hats, and hoodies
- Branded glassware for ambers, lagers, and IPAs
- Bottle openers, stickers, and limited prints tied to releases
Local Flavor
Fort Collins Context
Fort Collins is one of America’s great beer towns—bike paths, college energy, and a dense concentration of breweries. New Belgium’s campus fits right in: approachable, community-minded, and built to host. Pair your visit with a downtown stroll, a spin along the Poudre Trail, or a stop at nearby taprooms to compare interpretations of IPA and lager.
Nearby Attractions and Crawl Ideas
- Old Town Fort Collins: Restaurants, coffee, and shops within a short ride or drive.
- Poudre River Trail: Bike or walk, then cool down with a crisp lager or a Fat Tire.
- FoCo brewery loop: Map a careful crawl—hydrate, snack, and rideshare between stops.
Ask the Staff
Try: “What’s the freshest Voodoo Ranger variant today?” or “Is there a taproom-only beer I should try next to Fat Tire?” Staff picks often highlight small-batch IPAs or seasonal one-offs that won’t see wide distribution.
Traveler’s Notes
Why Beer Tourists Should Visit
- Taste two pillars of modern craft in one stop: a foundational amber ale and a leading IPA family.
- Experience a taproom that treats hospitality and community as core parts of the brand.
- Build flights that suit any group—malt fans, hop chasers, and curious newcomers all have options.
- Learn something: from brewing approach to community programs, there’s depth behind the pours.
Best Time to Go
- Weekday afternoons: Calmer room, shorter waits, more time for flights and staff chats.
- Weekend late afternoons: Lively energy, broad tap availability, and often food activations.
- Release days: High buzz and limited cans—arrive early and check social posts for details.
My Recommendation
Start with a two-part tasting. First, build a classic set—lager or pils, Fat Tire, and a seasonal amber/malt-forward ale if available. Then pivot to hops with two Voodoo Ranger pours: the flagship IPA and the freshest variant. Order shareables and a main tailored to your lineup (pretzel and mustard, then wings or a burger). Cap the session with your favorite IPA or a counterpoint lager. Grab fresh cans for later and keep them cold.
Conclusion: Plan Your Visit
New Belgium Brewing Company is a national craft leader because it delivers on flavor, consistency, and community, pint after pint. Fat Tire remains a balanced classic that invites newcomers into the fold. Voodoo Ranger keeps IPA fans engaged with bright aromatics and dialed-in bitterness. The Fort Collins campus adds warm hospitality and a sense of place to the experience. Set your GPS to 500 Linden St, check newbelgium.com for hours, tours, and event updates, and plan a visit that pairs great beer with local flavor. Whether you’re a beer traveler building a Colorado itinerary or a local planning a casual afternoon, New Belgium makes it easy to stay for one more round.
