New Belgium Brewing
Colorado Technical University
New Belgium Brewing: Ethical and Environmental Responsibility
Case Study
Michael Strait, J.D., LL.M.
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
PHIL310
Ethics
By
Anthony Weir; 05B6315034
Colorado Springs, Colorado
June 2007 1. What environmental issue does the New Belgium Brewing Company work to address? How has NBB taken a strategic approach to addressing these issues? Why do you think the company has chosen to focus on environmental issues? New Belgium Brewing strives to reduce it’s impact on the environment. NBB invested in a wind turbine, making it the first fully wind powered brewery in the United States. NBB has also incorporated a steam condenser that captures and reuses hot water used for boiling barley and hops to start the next brew. The steam is also redirected to heat the floor tiles and de-ice the loading docks during winter. NBB has also incorporated sun tubes that help to light the brew house with natural daylight, along with many other energy saving processes. I believe that the company has chosen to focus on the environment because of the owner’s love of the out-doors.
2. Are NBB’s social initiatives indicative of strategic philanthropy? Why or why not? I do not believe that this is a case of strategic philanthropy. Jeff Lebesch seemed to have a love of the outdoors. The idea for the company began with a bicycling trip through Belgium, and he and his wife took a hike into Rocky Mountain National Park to write what the company’s core purpose would be. I believe that Lebesch felt that it was his responsibility to build his business as environmentally friendly as he possibly could, regardless of whether it would be beneficial to the stakeholders or not.
3. Some segments of society vigorously contend that companies that sell alcoholic beverages and tobacco products cannot be socially responsible organizations because of the nature of their primary products. Do you believe that
New Belgium Brewing: Ethical and Environmental Responsibility
Case Study
Michael Strait, J.D., LL.M.
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
PHIL310
Ethics
By
Anthony Weir; 05B6315034
Colorado Springs, Colorado
June 2007 1. What environmental issue does the New Belgium Brewing Company work to address? How has NBB taken a strategic approach to addressing these issues? Why do you think the company has chosen to focus on environmental issues? New Belgium Brewing strives to reduce it’s impact on the environment. NBB invested in a wind turbine, making it the first fully wind powered brewery in the United States. NBB has also incorporated a steam condenser that captures and reuses hot water used for boiling barley and hops to start the next brew. The steam is also redirected to heat the floor tiles and de-ice the loading docks during winter. NBB has also incorporated sun tubes that help to light the brew house with natural daylight, along with many other energy saving processes. I believe that the company has chosen to focus on the environment because of the owner’s love of the out-doors.
2. Are NBB’s social initiatives indicative of strategic philanthropy? Why or why not? I do not believe that this is a case of strategic philanthropy. Jeff Lebesch seemed to have a love of the outdoors. The idea for the company began with a bicycling trip through Belgium, and he and his wife took a hike into Rocky Mountain National Park to write what the company’s core purpose would be. I believe that Lebesch felt that it was his responsibility to build his business as environmentally friendly as he possibly could, regardless of whether it would be beneficial to the stakeholders or not.
3. Some segments of society vigorously contend that companies that sell alcoholic beverages and tobacco products cannot be socially responsible organizations because of the nature of their primary products. Do you believe that