- McKenzie River Corporation
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McKenzie River Corporation 
Industry Beverages Founded 1987 Headquarters San Francisco, CA, USA Owner(s) Minott Wessinger McKenzie River Corporation is a beverage marketing firm based in San Francisco, CA. Founded in 1987 by Minott Wessinger with the help of his father, Fred Wessinger, the McKenzie River Corporation has launched a number of successful beverage products to the US market.[1]
Contents
History
Minott Wessinger began the McKenzie River Corporation, previously known as McKenzie River Partners, to follow in the footsteps of this great-great grandfather, Henry Weinhard, the Pacific Northwest brewing pioneer.[2] Wessinger is a part of a family tradition of brewing which began in 1856.[3]
Products
- St. Ides Premium Malt Liquor – St. Ides is a malt liquor that was introduced to the US market in 1987. It contains 8.2% ABV (alcohol by volume). A number of St. Ides Special Brews were also introduced in a variety of fruit flavors. St. Ides was endorsed by celebrity artists and rappers including, Ice Cube, Wu-Tang Clan, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg, among others. Currently, St. Ides is manufactured by Pabst Brewing Co.
- Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager – After building the Great Northern Brewing Company in Whitefish, MT in 1994, Black Star Beer was launched in early 1995. Black Star is a double hopped (dry hopped) golden lager with 4.5% alcohol by volume. Black Star is McKenzie River Corporation’s flagship brand.
- Sparks – Sparks was one of the first alcoholic energy drinks to enter the US beverage market, launching in early 2001. Sparks has 6% ABV and is also available in higher alcohol variations; Sparks Plus (7% ABV) and Sparks Red (8% ABV).[4]
- Steel Reserve High Gravity Lager – Steel Reserve was introduced in early 2000 and was the first “High Gravity” lager. It still maintains its leadership position in the segment.[5]
- Howling Monkey Energizing Elixir – Howling Monkey is a caffeinated energy drink that was introduced 2007. Howling Monkey was one of the first energy drinks to be offered in a cola flavor.[6]
- Le Tourment Vert Absinthe Francaise - McKenzie River Corporation began importing Le Tourment Vert to the United States from Distillerie Vinet Ege, near Cognac city, France in early 2008. Le Tourment Vert is an absinthe made with anise, fennel and grand wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). It is 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume) and is available in major cities across the US.[7]
Miller Purchase
On August 14, 2006, Miller Brewing announced it had completed the purchase of Sparks and Steel Reserve brands from McKenzie River Corp. for $215 million. Miller had been producing both products prior to this purchase.[8]
References
- ^ http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=4324798
- ^ http://www.explorewhitefish.com/whitefish_listing.php?uid=9730&listing=Great+Northern+Brewing+Company
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=UsKKpvOVRRUC&dq=The%20History%20of%20the%20Oregon%20Country%20scott&lr=&pg=PA637&ci=127,587,696,622&source=bookclip#v=onepage&q=The%20History%20of%20the%20Oregon%20Country%20scott&f=false
- ^ http://energy-drink-ratings.blogspot.com/2006/06/sparks-energy-drink-review.html
- ^ http://www.40ozmaltliquor.com/archive/steelreservehg.html
- ^ http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/howling_monkey
- ^ http://absintheology.com/le-tourment-vert.html
- ^ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4115671.html
External links
- Notorious BIG in St. Ides commercial on Youtube
- Steel Reserve Beer
- Sparks
- Black Star Beer
- Great Northern Brewing
- Howling Monkey Energizing Elixir
- Le Tourment Vert
Categories: Beverage companies of the United States
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