When Jeff Lebesch and his wife, Kim Jordan ， expanded from home beer brewing to commercial production in 1991, they envisioned two goals for their new company: they believed they could produce world-class beers and that they could do this while kindling social, environmental, and cultural change. By 2009 (Just 18 years later), their company, New Belgium Brewing Company (NBB) ， had become the third largest craft brewey in the United States and the seventh largest producer in the overall Industry. The brewery also stood as a corporate leader in environmental sustainability, and provided a prime example of how a company could incorporate environmental concerns into everyday business decisions. However, as NBB entered the new decade, the company faced a number of challenges In reaching its environmental goals, many of which could not directly control. History of NBB Jeff was inspired to found NBB While on a 1989 bike ride through the Belgain countryside. During his trek, he perceived a lack of flavor in Amencan beers compared to those he was drinking in Europe. When he returned home to Colorado, he set out on a quest to Introduce American beer drinkers to the unique essence found in traditional Belgain brews, from the tart framboise, the light saison, and the truly one-of-a-kind trappist ales. Using his home brewing exrience, Jeff was able to develop a distinctive recipe for traditional Belgian amber ale. The ale, dubbed Fat Tire in commemoration to the inspirational bike trip, became the brewery's flagship beer. By 1991, Jeff and Kim formally organized the brewery as NBB and began selling the first bottles of Fat Tire around their hometown of Fort Collins. Kim, Serving as the businessperson of the two, engaged in the marketing and distribution Operations. selling the beer to friends, neighbors. and local bars/stores. A neighbor provided the watercolors