we are

human

powered

Human Powered Business is a business model rooted in the simple idea that people are at the heart of everything we do. We hold ourselves accountable to considering the wellbeing of our coworkers, our customers, and our communities, and we recognize and respect the responsibility we all hold to leave a lasting positive impact. While we're far from perfect, we believe Human Powered Business is a mutually beneficial business model between people and business, built on the understanding that both are invested in each other's long-term success.

Person dancing in a tutu
New Belgium CEO Shaun Belongie standing next to a foeder in the brewery
A Note to Business Leaders from CEO

Shaun Belongie

With many years of experience at Fortune 500 companies, I've seen how the relentless pursuit of business results and profit margins can come at the expense of employees. But what if we dared to take a different approach, one that breaks away from what's become the norm in corporate America? What if we were bold enough to invest more in our people, and allow our business performance to be the outcome of that investment rather than the other way around? 

New Belgium Brewing’s success story over the past 30+ years is the direct result of that bold business model. As a Human Powered Business, we invest more in our coworkers, and, in turn, they invest more of themselves in the business. We also consider our broader impact on the world around us. We’re certainly not perfect by any means, yet we know in the long run that businesses investing in the wellbeing of people and our planet show greater resilience and better long-term financial performance. 

But caring for the wellbeing of people and addressing our biggest societal challenges, including our impact on the planet, is work that requires collaboration from all of us. While I’m proud of our ambition to change the way business is done here at New Belgium, I recognize this approach must extend beyond our own walls if we want to see more meaningful change.  

So, my question to you is this – do you dare to join us?  

Because I’ll tell you – we certainly have a hell of a lot of fun doing it this way.  

Why Human Powered Business Matters

For a business to be a true force for good, it must first sustain itself – ultimately, profitability is a foundation that enables long-term impact. Since day one, we have built a thriving business that values long-term success and meaningful impact over short-term gains, balancing financial health and sustainability. Human Powered Business prioritizes fostering a values-centric and inclusive environment, enabling us to contribute to a better future for all, and hopefully inspiring other businesses to do the same along the way.

In short, Human Powered Business acknowledges and honors the interdependent relationship between people and business. At New Belgium, we believe that when business prioritize the wellbeing of coworkers, their families, and their communities, it creates a positive ripple effect that benefits everyone.

What It Does (and Does Not) Mean 
  • Human Powered Business is not about solving the world’s greatest challenges single-handedly.

    • Instead, it is about considering the wellbeing of our coworkers and our communities in all the decisions we make as a business.

  • It is about evaluating things through a lens of long-term success and building a sustainable future for everyone involved, while inspiring others to do the same.

    • It’s not about short-term gains or cutting corners to prioritize profit. 

 

New Belgium's Approach

Our Human Powered Business model comes to life through four key principles. These principles guide us in all that we do. 

  1. We do right by people
  2. We make world class beer
  3. We inspire social and environmental change
  4. We have a hell of a lot of fun 

The Four Core Principles

of Human-Powered Business

  • we

    do1

    right

    by people

    People are at the heart of New Belgium – and always have been. We embrace our coworkers and support full and meaningful lives for them, their families, and our communities – expanding the definition of wellbeing to include much more than just financial or physical health. As we’ve grown, we continue to evaluate the needs of our coworkers and communities, and we continue to evolve our approach to meet their greatest needs through things like our comprehensive benefits, community partnerships, and volunteer opportunities. While we're far from perfect, we understand success is a collaborative effort, so investing in the success of others is investing in the success of us all.

    Three New Belgium coworkers enjoying a beer together
  • we

    make2

    world-class

    beer

    for everyone

    From the beginning, we’ve focused on our superpower – making great beer and doing it responsibly. Our coworkers are skilled experts, with talents honed over time, who take pride in their craft. Becoming one of America’s largest and fastest-growing craft breweries has only increased our ability to invest in innovation and quality. Over the years, we’ve won a collective 51 medals at the Great American Beer Festival across our portfolio of New Belgium and Bell’s beers. Our team started making sours way back in 1999, and now operate the largest sour beer program in the United States. With a spirit of innovation at our core, we continue to push the bounds of all that it means to be a brewer in today's ever-evolving world.

    Wood Cellar director and blender, Lauren Limbach, intently examining a globe glass of beer.
  • we

    inspire3

    social and environmental

    change

    We believe business should be a force for good, and we recognize we can’t do it alone. As a certified B Corp since 2013, our commitment to social and environmental accountability plays a vital role in our business operations as we strive to leave a lasting positive impact on our coworkers, our customers, and our communities. By investing in things like climate impact mitigation efforts and a scalable philanthropic model, we consistently evaluate the impact we have in the world, and empower our coworkers to do the same. We recognize this work is never done, and we recognize we have a lot of work yet to do. But we're in it for the long haul.

    Man riding a tall bike
  • we

    have4

    a hell of a lot of

    fun

    Having fun is central to our business. It allows for work to be a space that drives meaning and connection, as we prioritize fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging for all. We encourage people to take risks, push boundaries, and let their freak flags fly because ideas that change the world rarely come from a textbook or follow a straight line. At New Belgium, every coworker receives a custom bicycle on their one-year anniversary, and at 10- and 20-year anniversaries we give everyone a paid sabbatical to recharge and pursue other passions. We’ve always approached culture intentionally – a strong organic community of good people who each bring their own unique experiences mixed with programs and traditions that give us time to have fun together and a strong sense of shared purpose.

    Two people goofing around, one holding onto a bicycle and the other kicking a leg up with his hands in the air.
Updated B Corp Logo

A Brewery for Good

Being a certified B Corp means that we use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. New Belgium has been doing this work since the day we were born, and thanks to our B Corp Certification, we’re able to track our progress over time and see how we compare to other values-driven companies. It empowers us to continue protecting our culture and values.

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Protecting our people & places

  • Climate

    Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. That’s why we worked to make Fat Tire the first certified carbon neutral beer in the U.S—and we’re not stopping there. We’re committed to making all our beers carbon neutral by 2030.

    protect 1 mobile
  • Land

    & Water

    We’re proud to support national policy efforts and local organizations that help keep our water clean and our public lands intact.

    Person carrying a canoe over their head.
  • Diversity, Equity,

    & Inclusion

    Founded by a social worker, New Belgium has always been committed to promoting inclusion. Our beer is Brewed for All and created with you in mind.

    Four people outdoors enjoying Mountain Time Lager together.
A man laying in a hammock wearing sunglasses with his hands behind his head.

Human Powered Business Report

In 1991, New Belgium set out to build a craft beer movement and prove business could be a force for good. Read our Human Powered Business report to learn more about how we're improving our beer's impact on ecosystems and communities.

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New Belgium coworker on stage speaking to the crowd at Tour de Fat.

Giving Back

As the brainchild of a social worker and her husband, community involvement and partnering with non-profit organizations have always been a part of New Belgium's ethos. We strive to positively impact the communities where we do business. Learn more about the grants and programs we offer.

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