New Belgium Releases Its First-Ever Sustainability Report

FT. COLLINS, CO--(Marketwire - January 15, 2009) - New Belgium Brewing, the nation's third largest craft brewer, recently unveiled its first-ever corporate sustainability report -- a revealing look at the progress and challenges of operating a sustainable business.

The 2007-2008 report outlines New Belgium's "Triple Bottom Line" approach to business, measuring the environmental, economic and social effects of the brewery. It also highlights several of the brewer's unique environmental initiatives -- from a decade-long commitment to using wind energy to a greenhouse gas life cycle assessment (LCA) of a six-pack of Fat Tire beer. The full report is available at http://www.newbelgium.com/sustainability.

"Environmental sustainability has always been a core value at New Belgium, so we felt it was time to take a measure of our progress," said Jenn Orgolini, New Belgium's Sustainability Director. "While it is gratifying to know that we have made great strides in our environmental performance, this report will help us set goals and make plans to help us close the gap in areas where we could stand to improve."

The report looks at New Belgium's corporate, environmental and social performance, using metrics and data gathered over a five-year period. Among the highlights of the report:

--  New Belgium's five-year Compounded Annual Growth Rate was 13.4
    percent, beating the craft brewing average of 8.1 percent -- proof that
    doing the right thing pays, both financially and otherwise.
--  Through a mix of green power from its local utility, Community Energy
    wind RECs, and its own Process Water Treatment Plant (PWTP), 100 percent of
    New Belgium's electricity comes from renewable resources.
--  On the energy conservation side of the equation, New Belgium's
    investment of more than $1 million in energy-sparing equipment, as well as
    process changes related to cooling the beer, helps cut the electricity used
    to produce its beer.
--  New Belgium's new packaging hall, completed in 2007, incorporates
    several green building and energy conservation measures, including:
    skylights, solar tubes and windows for daytime illumination; an HVAC system
    that features displacement-ventilation technology and direct/indirect
    cooling and is Freon free; and numerous water conservation elements
    including landscaping that utilizes xeriscape principles.
--  Tour de Fat, New Belgium's event celebrating all things bicycle, also
    includes a car-for-bike swap, where people commit to live car-free for a
    year.  In exchange for their vehicle, the Car-for-Bike Trade participants
    receive a hand-built commuter bike. By pledging to bike instead of drive,
    the volunteers commit to pedaling to work, out to dinner and even to get
    groceries. To see the Car-for-Bike Trade ceremonies from Tour de Fat stops
    and read and watch swapper applications, go to www.newbelgium.com. Visitors
    to the site can join New Belgium's Team Wonderbike -- a bike commuter
    program that encourages members to Bike More - Drive Less.
    

The Sustainability report will be produced regularly, with the next report to be released in May.

About New Belgium Brewing Company

New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces seven year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Mothership Wit and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Jenny Foust (w) 303.433.7020 (c) 720.244.4268