Can you imagine walking into a brewery and being served by Peter Bouckaert himself? It could happen. And according to his business partner, who also happens to be his wife, we can chalk up that possible scenario to his funny face.
Powered by RedCircle
Meet Peter & Frezi
Not that his face is funny; it’s actually quite normal. However, when Peter gets the itch to be moving on to something new – he loves learning and has no use for boredom – Frezi reports that he gets this funny look on his face. One that she knows well.
It appeared in the mid 90s when Peter and Frezi left Belgium after Peter spent a decade at Brewery Rodenbach. That’s when they arrived in Colorado, both landing careers at New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins.
For the next two decades, Peter brewed at New Belgium, forever altering the craft beer scene in the U.S. His curiosity initiated innovation within fermenting, barrel-aging, and yeast strain experimentation. In fact, Peter has been credited with introducing sours to the U.S.
Check out another brewer crafting unique beers.
Meet Purpose Brewing & Cellars
In 2016, that funny look showed up on his face once again, and in less than two years, Peter and Frezi found themselves still in the craft beer industry, but this time as owners of a small brewery.
“There’s still so much beauty in American craft,” Peter states.
Now he gets to experience all of that beauty, including cleaning kegs and ensuring that there’s plenty of toilet paper in the bathroom. But more importantly, he can continue learning while creating innovative recipes. Boredom can’t get anywhere near this guy. He won’t let it.
Finding the location that was once 1933 Brewing and is now Purpose Brewing & Cellars, Peter and Frezi bought it in 2016, with a goal of creating a brewery that showcased unique and original beers. They also envisioned this space as a second home, so to say. A place where they – and you – can invite your friends and enjoy exceptionally, well-made beer.
Meet Ashley & James
Then the travel bug hit – so the question became how to run their brewery while still traveling. Enter James and Ashley. New to Colorado from Wisconsin, with dreams of opening a brewery of their own, they met Peter and Frezi at a local beer event, and then again when Ashley was working at Mockery Brewing in Denver.
And, as they say, the rest is history. You might even say it was a meet cute – that enchanting encounter amongst fellow beer lovers and entrepreneurs – with the romanticism being all about the art of beer.
The Original Nine Barrels & Their Stories
Purpose Brewing & Cellars began long before its actual opening date in 2017. It began when Peter began brewing in the 80s back in Belgium. Nobody knew it at the time, but those early brewing days in Belgium played a large role in the evolution of beer in the U.S.
From the onset of the Belgian beers to barreling at New Belgium, to now Purpose, Peter, Frezi, Ashley, and James, have kept the barrel-aging process relevant. So much so, that the original nine barrels that started their journey with Peter at New Belgium, long since lost, have now begun resurfacing. And the search for all of them have become something of a treasure hunt.
Check out our GABF recap video for a fun look at barrels.
There’s Space at the Table
Join us as we chat with the partners of Purpose Brewing & Cellars. Not only do we talk beer and the stories behind the beer, but we delve deeper into the evolution of sour beers, which outside of the U.S., have been around for more than ten thousand years.
We touch on travel and the impact that travel and culture have on crafting beers and building a brewery. We talk about Purpose, its logo full of intention (and purpose) and the unique take on the beers that are brewed, aged, and served there.
But more importantly, we simply have a fun conversation while enjoying each other’s company, hands wrapped around a damn fine beer. There’s space at the table. Will you join us?
Connect with Purpose Brewing & Cellars
Purpose Brewing & Cellars
4025 S. Mason St.
Fort Collins, CO
Facebook
Instagram
Oh, the Breweries We “Visited”
No matter where we end up, we always end up talking about other breweries. Can you blame us? There are thousands of brilliant breweries on this planet, and we want to share as many with you as we can. So here are the breweries we visited (mentioned) on this podcast episode, besides the one we actually visited, that is.
- Brewery Rodenbach – Roeselare, Belgium
- New Belgium Brewing – Fort Collins, CO
- Zwei Brewing Co – Fort Collins, CO
- Jessup Farm Barrel House – Fort Collins, CO
- Equinox Brewing – Fort Collins, CO
- Mockery Brewing Co – Denver, CO
- Strange Craft Beer Co – Denver, CO
- MotoSonora Brewing Co – Tucson, AZ
- Allagash Brewing Co – Portland, ME
- Deschutes Brewery – Bend, OR
- New Glarus Brewing Co – New Glarus, WI
Harvest Hosts
Purpose Brewing & Cellars is a Harvest Host allowing RVers to stay overnight. This is a unique marketing opportunity for breweries, distilleries, and more. If interested in learning more on becoming a host, click here. If interested in becoming a member, click here.
Want More?
New Belgium and Peter Bouckaert – Legends
Speaking of legends such as Peter, have you ever thought of all the breweries you’d like to check off your list before you leave this planet? We have. See what made our list. What would make yours?
Legends at Burns Family Artisan Ales
Wayne and Laura are another set of legends in the craft beer industry. From the beginning, they have set out to change the way the world looks at beer.
For about the price of a beer, your virtual beer purchase will help keep us on the road bringing you the stories behind the beer.
Let us know you did just that, and we’ll put together a virtual happy hour with you. We’d love to see your smiling faces.
“We appreciate you highlighting our brewery on your podcast, your enthusiasm for craft breweries, travel and adventure and the patronage of not only you, but the friends you bring into Tres Litros.”
Jason at Tres Litros Beer Co
“Ken and April do a fantastic job of mixing the culture of beer and adventure into something akin to a fine barrel-aged sour. They are wise beyond their years. Loving this podcast and it will be on our weekly playlist for SURE!”
The Dog In Us
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST TODAY!
Also available on Radio Public, PodBean, Google Play Music, iHeart Radio, Tune-In, and Google Podcasts.
Shout Outs:
Peter, Frezi, James, and Ashley, it was as if we’ve known each other over the years. After getting over our initial reaction of meeting rock stars, we simply sat back and enjoyed the conversation and the beer. Peter and Frezi, you are two of the most genuine people we have met. James and Ashley, your kindness in welcoming us in knowing nothing about us will always be remembered. All of you, your love for the craft shines in everything you do.
Sitting at Purpose around a table with all of you was a true joy. We can’t wait to do it again. Maybe in Belgium. At least in the taproom.
