New Belgium will be losing their longtime brewmaster after 21 years. He is departing for a smaller project later this year.
Bouckaert got his professional start with Belgium based Rodenbach back in the 1980’s before heading to Boulder, Colorado. By 1999, Bouckaert had introduced La Folie which is still one of America’s most well-known sour beers.
He won’t have to go far for his next venture. Bouckaert is joining a new farm brewery initiative called Purpose Brewing and Cellars, opening in Fort Collins in 2017. Zach Wilson and Laura Sickles purchased the brewery (previously known at 1933 Brewing) in December of 2016 and have overhauling the brewery’s approach and branding.
In addition to replacing Bouckaert, New Belgium is in the process of replacing former CEO Christine Perich who left last November.
No formal timeline has been announced for his departure.
