Today’s Fort Collins Coloradoan has two, count ’em, two stories about New Belgium Brewing’s expansion plans. On June 1, New Belgium will begin construction on its biggest expansion to date. In fact, the expansion is expected to cost $21.5 million ($11.5 million for the building and $10 million in new equipment) for a new 55,000 sq. ft. facility directly northeast of the exisiting brewing facilities.

From the Coloradoan story:

An automated, high-speed bottling line will be installed in the new building. KHS, a brewery equipment manufacturer based in Germany with a presence in the United States, was hired for the equipment installation.

By May 2007, the microbrewery will put out 700 bottles a minute, compared to the current 300 bottles per minute, said [Jim] Spencer.

The brewery is on track for an estimated 400,000 barrels produced this year, said [Bryan] Simpson. With the expansion, the microbrewery could eventually reach up to 800,000 barrels maximum per year.

The front of the present brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Using Google Earth, this is a satellite view of the brewery (bottom center). There are two possible spots I can see for where the new building will be situated. Either directly to the right or across the street and in the upper righthand corner of this view.