E-Malt.com News article: 2149

Canada: The Rahr Malting Company of Shakopee, MN and Alix, Alberta, Canada, announced on February 2, 2004 the purchase of Mid America Brewing Supply, a wholesale distributor of brewing ingredients based in Kasota, MN, according to Jim Halbur, Mid America Brewing Supply. “Mid America has emerged as a front runner in the craft brewery sales segment” said Gary Lee, President of Rahr Malting. “We are committed to supporting Mid America’s current customers and to bringing the wider craft brewery segment the best malt and brewing ingredients available.”

“This was the next logical step for us” said James Halbur, Mid America’s General Manager. “The Rahr name has been synonymous with superior malt quality since 1847. We couldn’t ask for a better business partner to assist us in supplying our customers with the finest North American produced pale and wheat malts, backed by world class technical and customer support.”

“This is as close as I think I’ll ever come to realizing my vision of the ultimate one-stop brewing supply shopping experience” said newly promoted Vice President of Sales Kelly Kuehl. “With Rahr’s backing we are looking forward to bringing the Mid America shopping experience to a larger audience while keeping the Mid America name and our same high level of customer service intact. With the 125 plus malts that we inventory in addition to hops, filters, filter aids and brewing adjuncts, we are ready to service the needs of breweries of all sizes.”

Mid America Brewing Supply has been in the brewing ingredient supply business since 1996 with an emphasis on the craft brewing segment. In addition to supplying Rahr Malt, Mid America imports malt from Simpsons of the UK, Weyermann of Germany and Malteries Franco Belges of France in addition to carrying malts from Crisp, Dingemans and Pauls and domestic malt from Briess, Cargill and Gambrinus maltings. The company is based in Kasota, MN, 90 miles southwest of Minneapolis in a 21,000 square foot warehouse which was built by Mid America in 2001. Equipped with a bagging line, Mid America custom fills their own products in bag sizes ranging from 50 to 2,000 pounds. Mid America may be found on the web at www.midamericabrewing.com or by calling 1-800-374-2739.


06 February, 2004