Celis in Michigan
<editor's note> Though we have lost a number of unique and special beers over the last several years, there is now good news in this area. Celis beers will now be brewed in Michigan. </editor's note>
MICHIGAN BREWING COMPANY EXPANDS WITH TEXAS-SIZED BREWERY ACQUISITION Written By: staff@michiganbrewing Webberville, Michigan - 31 July 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Robert "Bobby" Mason 517 521 3624 Michigan Brewing Company [MBC], one of the Midwest's leading craft breweries, has successfully completed the second and final phase of its acquisition of the Celis Brewery from Miller Brewing Company. MBC today has acquired the trademarks and trade name for Celis Brewery, formerly of Austin, Texas. MBC previously acquired from Miller the brewing equipment of the Celis Brewery and has relocated and installed them at MBC's facilities in Webberville, Michigan. MBC will now add the Celis brand to the 12 existing MBC brands which it brews at its Webberville brewery. MBC also operates a brewpub at the site. With this acquisition, MBC now controls the rights to brew the highly- acclaimed line of Celis beers, originally formulated by a renowned Belgian brewing industry leader, Pierre Celis. MBC will immediately begin brewing authentic Belgian-styled beers in Michigan according to the recipes originally developed at Celis Brewery. Robert C. "Bobby" Mason, President of the six year old Michigan Brewing Company, characterized the Celis transaction as a "tremendous step in realizing our vision to build Michigan Brewing Company into one of the Midwest's leading craft brewers." According to Mason, "Michigan Brewing Company's growth has been focused on brewing the highest quality, best tasting craft beers available in the United States, and the awards our team has won over the years prove that our efforts have been recognized. Even more important, the people who drink our beers have told us how delicious they are. Now, as we begin to produce the Celis brands, we will expand Michigan Brewing Company's distribution to new customers in even more parts of America." Celis Beers were widely distributed in the southwest United States and enjoyed widespread acceptance in Texas, where Celis was originally brewed. Celis was particularly well known for reviving the Belgian Wit style of beer as "Celis White". Witbier is an unfiltered ale- style beer brewed with wheat as well as barley, "seasoned" with coriander and curacao orange peel. Celis White is an exceptionally refreshing, pale-yellow colored, flavorful beer with a slight sweetness. The recipe for Celis White is derived from a traditional Belgian recipe which dates back to 1453. With the expansion of Michigan Brewing Company's brewery, it's capacity increases immediately from 5,000 to 24,000 barrels annually. Michigan Brewing Company is now in the planning stages to design and construct a new brewery building on land it controls in Webberville. Construction is expected to start by 2003. Mr. Mason also credited Miller Brewing Company with assisting Michigan Brewing Company in completing the acquisition and expanding its line of craft-brewed specialty beers. "Miller is one of the world's largest brewing companies, but they are especially supportive of the role that craft brewers play in expanding the availability of and market for specialty beers. Their faith in Michigan Brewing Company's ability to build upon the goodwill and market acceptance previously enjoyed by the Celis brands made this transaction possible, and we are very appreciative of that support." Michigan Brewing Company is located in a rustic-style building in Webberville, Michigan, immediately north of Interstate 96 Exit 122, on M-52. For further information, contact Robert "Bobby" Mason, President, at 517 521 3600
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