New Belgium Responds to Requests To Pull Out Of NC After The Vote Down Same-Sex Marriage

With the recent vote in the North Carolina legislature to ban same-sex marriage (by a vote of 2-1), there have been calls for breweries & other businesses in North Carolina to exert pressure on the legislature and/or pull out of NC altogether.  Just seconds ago New Belgium responded with this:

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts on the recent vote on Amendment 1 regarding gay marriage in North Carolina. While that vote in no way reflects the values and ethos of New Belgium Brewing, (we happily extend benefits to same-sex partners), we are not reconsidering building a second facility in Asheville. It has been our experience that the best way to effect change is to work within a system rather than to turn away from it.

Should be interesting to see how this all plays out given New Belgium’s new business and stance on the issue, relative to how their neighbors & customers voted on the issue in NC.  Stay tuned….we haven’t heard the last of this one.