Canada: Budweiser to be brewed at the Creston Brewery

Budweiser will now be brewed in Creston at the Columbia Brewery, Labatt Breweries announced on September, 12.

The Creston brewery, which employs 140 people and brews more than 16 different beer brands, will have its capacity expanded by 90,000 hectolitres through a C$1.4-mln investment. The brewery began brewing Kokanee lager in 1960 and was purchased by Labatt’s in 1974.

“The addition of Budweiser further diversifies our brewing capabilities, and will help maintain and grow Creston’s operational capacity as Labatt’s westernmost brewery,” said Jeff Ryan, senior director of corporate affairs at Labatt Breweries of Canada. The expansion does not mean any new jobs will be created, Ryan said.

“This is a key factor in sustaining employment levels at the brewery and alleviating seasonality trends,” Ryan said.

Budweiser is the top-selling beer in Canada, and has been brewed in this country for more than 30 years, the company said.

“Budweiser has always stood for quality and great taste. It’s an iconic brand with a rich history dating more than a hundred years,” said Murray Oswald, brewery manager, Creston Brewery.

“Budweiser’s brewing process differs from most beers. It’s brewed with the addition of rice and undergoes a lengthy three-week fermentation using the original Budweiser yeast culture strain from 1876 and the time-honoured Beechwood aging process,” Oswald said.

14 September, 2012