Glass sustains beer brand

Inspired by a bike trip across Europe by brewery co-founder Jeff Lebesch, Fat Tire Amber Ale joins a selection of craft-brewed beers from New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO, that thrive on the company's commitment to energy efficiency and social responsibility. From its production to its packaging, Fat Tire, along with Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsener, Abbey Belgian Style Ale and other brews, is a product of wind power, water conservation and, notes New Belgium, "the three 'R's of being an environmental steward: reduce, reuse and recycle."

For its packaging, New Belgium uses amber glass bottles supplied by O-I (www.o-i.com) from its new plant in Windsor, CO. "New Belgium has always used amber glass as it protects the beer from harmful elements like sun and heat, and it's readily recyclable," says Bryan Simpson, media relations director for New Belgium.