Molson Coors has officially unveiled its upgraded brewery in Golden, following a multi-million-dollar renovation that transforms it into a more efficient facility. The overhaul replaces everything between the brew house and the packaging line.
The renovation, known as the G150 project, aims to drastically reduce water, CO2 and energy usage at the facility. CEO Gavin Hattersley, who announced the overhaul in 2020, stated that it would “help ensure the Coors Brewery and our global business has a bright future for the next 150 years.”
Hattersley, alongside company leaders, celebrated the official opening of the facility, emphasizing its significance. “Our plans are big at Molson Coors, and they’re rooted in the sort of projects that make this a world-class beverage company,” Hattersley said. “It’s an investment we’re proud to make.”
The G150 project has transformed the largest brewery in the United States with over 200,000 square feet of new space and more than 100 vertical fermentation tanks. The construction included 45 miles of piping and 150 miles of wiring, with over 2.4 million hours dedicated to the project.
Peter J. Coors, a fifth-generation member of the Coors family, led the construction, focusing on maintaining the quality of the company’s beer. “We’re passionate about the quality of our beer, for obvious reasons,” Coors said. “I’m proud to say our sensory team has not been able to tell any difference between the Coors Light made with the previous equipment and the new equipment, which is exactly what we wanted.”
The brewery’s upgrades are not only designed for efficiency but also sustainability. Coors noted that the new equipment, which replaces machinery that was up to 70 years old, is expected to reduce water usage by 80 million gallons annually, require 25% less energy, and capture 30% more CO2 compared to the old systems.
Hattersley also indicated that the project is a crucial component of Molson Coors’ global strategy. “The G150 project is an investment not only in the Coors Brewery and the Golden Valley, but Molson Coors’ capabilities in the 21st century and beyond,” he said.
While the new infrastructure has been established, Coors assured that iconic structures, such as the brewery’s copper kettles, will remain untouched. “Those beautiful copper kettles that everybody sees on our public tour are going to stay exactly where they are,” Coors said.
The renovation emphasizes the importance of Golden to Molson Coors, with plans for continued investment in the area. “This helps us ground Golden as a core supply source for us for the next 150 years,” said Brian Erhardt, Molson Coors’ chief supply chain officer.