New Belgium CEO Steve Fechheimer is stepping down after nearly 6 years

Erin Udell, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·2 min read

New Belgium Brewing CEO Steve Fechheimer is stepping down after nearly six years at the brewery's helm, he announced Monday.

Fechheimer will leave his post in August "to explore new challenges," according to New Belgium. He joined the brewery as its CEO in 2017.

The brewery CEO told the Coloradoan he was feeling mixed emotions about his departure from New Belgium.

"I've loved every minute of my six years working with the team here at New Belgium and being involved in the Fort Collins community," he said.

"I couldn't have imagined a better six years when I took this job and moved my family here," he added, noting that he worked for spirits company Beam Suntory in Chicago prior to New Belgium. "(I'm) extremely grateful for all that time and excited to see what comes next."

New Belgium changes under Fechheimer

In the nearly six years Fechheimer served as CEO, New Belgium saw major changes like its 2019 sale, its 2021 acquisition of Bell's Brewery and the recent reimagination of its flagship Fat Tire beer into a carbon neutral brew.

Steve Fechheimer will step down as New Belgium Brewing's CEO in August after six years with the brewery.
Steve Fechheimer will step down as New Belgium Brewing's CEO in August after six years with the brewery.

Earlier this year, the brewery also acquired Constellation Brands' 259,000-square-foot production brewery in Daleville, Virginia. The acquisition increased New Belgium's production capacity, with a focus on the brewing of its Voodoo Ranger Juice Force IPA and Fruit Force IPA. There were no plans for New Belgium to operate a taproom in Daleville as of late-March, according to the brewery.

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What's next for Fechheimer?

Fechheimer told the Coloradoan he plans to spend more time with his family and kids after stepping down in August. From there, "(I) will give more time to what my next steps are," he said.

Who will be New Belgium's next CEO?

Starting Aug. 1, New Belgium’s Chief Financial Officer Danielle McLarnon will serve as interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent replacement, according to New Belgium. McLarnon has been at the brewery for 19 years.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: New Belgium's CEO is stepping down after nearly 6 years