New Belgium Brewery, a Colorado favorite from the Front Range, has decided to try their hand at business at a slightly higher elevation, a whopping 8,100 feet to be exact in the irresistible Snowmass Village. Plans are underway to open a bar and restaurant in November of this year inside the newly renovated Wildwood Snowmass hotel bar.

The New Belgium Ranger Station will be collaboration with Patches O’Houllihan Inc. and Snowmass Kitchen chef de cuisine, Jami Flatt, bringing together Colorado microbrews, delicious food and amazing atmosphere under one roof. The New Belgium Brewery, located in Fort Collins, CO has dabbled in the restaurant business in a venture at Denver International Airport. However, this endeavor promises to be on a much larger scale. In the Coloradoan New Belgium spokesperson Bryan Simpson explained that the collaboration with Flatt and Patches O’Houllihan provides a way for New Belgium to expand its Colorado presence and enter the restaurant industry without the operational aspects of running a restaurant.

The culture of the New Belgium Brewery is unlike anything in the business world today. The company is employee owned with a strong emphasis on sustainability and funky fun. One glimpse at the beers created and brewed by New Belgium hint at the whimsical side of New Belgium; Lips of Faith, Prickly Passion and Sunshine Wheat to name a few.  This bicycle riding, good-natured crew promise to bring a breath of fresh air to the restaurant and après ski atmosphere in Snowmass Village.

Chef Jami Flatt, who specializes in modern American cuisine, has been a staple in the restaurant industry in Aspen and Snowmass Village alike for several years. Young and energetic, Flatt has worked in the Willow Creek Bistro and the Silver Queen. He is a strong advocate for fresh and locally grown produce, encouraging raw food consumption, particularly during the summer months when the farms of Colorado are producing delicious produce and vegetables all over the state. His exquisite palette and innovative culinary vision will undoubtedly provide exciting and fun combinations when paired with the brews of New Belgium.

Together this business partnership can be seen as an indication of good things to come for Snowmass Village as the town renovates and recreates itself. John Curnow, general manager of Westin Snowmass Resort and Wildwood Snowmass told the Snowmass Sun today, “We expect beer patrons to travel far and wide for the Ranger Station and Wildwood Bar experience.” The addition of the Ranger Station is just one of many expansions and improvements the Westin has invested in Snowmass since early spring of this year when the company overtook the former Silvertree Hotel and Conference center. Along with new and exciting dining and bar experiences, the Westin has renovated the 20,000 sq. ft. conference center, redeveloped pools, added luxuriously large hot tubs, created more rooms and suite offerings and entirely reworked the ambiance of the resort.

As New Belgium drinkers everywhere say, “Follow your folly” into Snowmass Village today, and rediscover the mountain town you thought you knew. Click here to see homes, condos and residences within walking distance of the Ranger Station and the heart of Snowmass Village.