Fort Collins Brewery expanding Montana distribution

FORT COLLINS — Fort Collins Brewery & Tavern has signed a deal to expand distribution of its beers and ales into Bozeman, Mont.

The Fort Collins-based brewery is partnering exclusively with Bozeman-based Bronken’s Distributing to reach customers in Bozeman, home to Montana State University.

FCB’s core brews will hit shelves in Bozeman by mid-March, including seasonal brews Double Chocolate Stout and Big Shot Hazelnut Brown Ale. Last September, FCB began distributing its beer in Billings, Mont., using Intermountain Distributing Co. The brewery distributes beer in 17 states outside of Colorado.

Fort Collins Brewery & Tavern, established in 2003, is a family-owned, handcrafted microbrewery and full-service tavern in Fort Collins. Its lineup includes 50 ales and lagers. The company employs 68 people — 24 in the brewery and 44 people at the Modern Tavern Restaurant inside the brewery at 1020 E. Lincoln Ave.

The brewery in January announced that it was adding a canning line and revamping its core lineup and packaging.

FCB produced 9,000 barrels of beer in 2015 and expects to produce 12,000 barrels in 2016, according to brewery spokeswoman Chea Franz.

The brewery is co-owned by Jan and Tom Peters and their daughter Tina Peters, who serves as general manager.

FCB won a 2015 Great American Beer Festival gold medal for Oktoberfest in the Dortmunder/German-Style Oktoberfest category.