One of Colorado’s Oldest Breweries Enters the Arena of Solar Beer Brewing with a New Onsite Project. 

February, 27, 2020 – Littleton, Colorado – One of Colorado’s most established brewers has taken the next step in their sustainability efforts. Breckenridge Brewery, the third-oldest craft brewery in the Centennial State, celebrates the completion of a 289-kW solar project at their Littleton facility, less than 100 miles from the original brew pub in the small mountain town of Breckenridge. 

The project, developed and financed by ForeFront Power and installed by HOLT Renewables, includes 792 solar PV panels outfitted on the rooftops of the 12-acre facility. The newly installed solar array will produce 433,280 kilowatt hours (kWhs) per year, which equates to more than 20% of Breckenridge Brewery’s annual purchased electricity. This is equivalent to 675,500 pounds of CO2 avoided each year.

Breckenridge Brewery prides itself on going green and has made sustainability a priority. Recent efforts include utilizing its on-site garden for a farm-to-table menu, working with local partners for an Earth Day river cleanup and installing energy-efficient LED lighting. Additionally, the brewery hosted an event for World Environment Day last year, generating proceeds to plant 698 trees, instituted a zero waste goal for their summer concert series and donated $40,000 to the National Parks Conservation Association as part of the Pints for Parks initiative.

“Colorado is known for its natural beauty, and we feel so lucky to be brewing beer in such an incredible place,” said Todd Usry, President of Breckenridge Brewery. “Our newly installed solar panels are a big step in ensuring we’re doing our part to help create a more sustainable future. And with an average of over 300 days of sunshine, we’ll be putting those solar panels to work! We’re so thankful for our partners at ForeFront Power and HOLT Renewables for making this vision come to life.”  

The installation of solar panels at Breckenridge Brewery is part of a larger company-wide commitment from Brewers Collective, the craft business unit of Anheuser-Busch and its Elevate initiative. By the end of 2020, all craft partners will shift to 100% solar and wind renewable electricity and complete the installation of solar panels. The new solar project at Breckenridge Brewery also contributes to Colorado’s goal for the state’s electricity grid to be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2040.

“ForeFront Power is proud to work with Breckenridge Brewery to help meet its own sustainability goals, as well as those set forth by the Brewers Collective Elevate initiative,” said Paul Walker CEO of Forefront Power. “By producing clean solar power at their facilities, Breckenridge Brewery is not only improving their own operations, but also helping the great state of Colorado meet its own renewable energy goals. At ForeFront Power, it is our goal to empower local businesses to become contributors to the greater clean-energy economy.”

Breckenridge Brewery marked the completion of the solar panel project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 26, 2020. 

ABOUT BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY

Breckenridge Brewery opened its doors in 1990 in the ski town of Breckenridge, Colorado. What started as a small brewpub has grown into one of the largest breweries in the U.S. The original brewery still serves its craft beer and delicious pub fare at high altitude. The production brewery outside of Denver sends beer to 49 states and offers tours, dining and a welcoming Colorado beer garden experience. With a focus on balanced, approachable and interesting beer, the brewery’s portfolio contains classics like Vanilla Porter, Avalanche Amber Ale, Agave Wheat, Strawberry Sky, and Hop Peak IPA, along with a variety of specialty beers that include seasonals, barrel-aged beers, the Brewery Lane Series, and a nitrogen-charged canned series. Visit www.breckbrew.com for more information.

ABOUT ELEVATE

Elevate is a global SABRE-award winning, purpose-driven initiative to create and inspire the brightest future possible. Elevate is a collaborative effort between Brewers Collective, the craft business unit of Anheuser-Busch, and its 13 craft partners. By setting ambitious goals and measurable actions the program is designed to ensure that progress is not only possible, but inevitable. Each pillar has dynamic goals that highlight commitments while inspiring others to join the journey to a stronger, healthier beer industry. The five pillars are focused on: better beer, the beer industry, the environment, our communities and diversity & inclusion.

ABOUT FOREFRONT POWER

ForeFront Power has more than 15 years of renewable industry experience, serving business, public sector, and residential power customers around the world. Our team has developed over 900 MW of capacity across more than 1,000 projects, targeted on assisting public sector agencies and C&I firms to deliver the most impactful behind-the-meter, community solar, and wholesale solutions.

ForeFront Power is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., a global energy infrastructure and investment leader. Mitsui brings a strong balance sheet and global presence to its partnership with ForeFront Power. The company offers substantial financial liquidity due to its strong profitability and is proud to have a credit rating of A from Standard & Poor’s and A3 from Moody’s.

ABOUT HOLT RENEWABLES, LLC.

With nearly a decade of solar construction experience, HOLT Renewable’s focus is on serving corporate and institutional clients nationwide to promote energy cost savings and fulfill their renewable energy goals. We have developed an extensive understanding of and alignment with our client’s needs and fulfillment of solar integration into their businesses. With a heavy focus on safety, reliability, and on-time, on-budget practices, we have successfully constructed solar assets throughout the country. As an established turnkey solar EPC, we have experience in all forms of solar construction, including ground mounts, roof mounts, carports, and custom structures. As the largest CAT dealer in the U.S., the HOLT organization, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a family-owned company who has been serving the heavy equipment, engine and power services industry for over 85 years.  The company is guided by strong Values Based Leadership principles.