McKenzie River Corporation
 | |
| Industry | Beverages |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, CA, USA |
| Owner | 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]
History
Minott Wessinger began the McKenzie River Corporation (named for the McKenzie River in central Oregon), 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). The St. Ides brand is now owned by Pabst Brewing Company.
- 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.
- Sparks – Sparks was one of the first alcoholic energy drinks to enter the US beverage market, launching in early 2001.[4]
- Steel Reserve High Gravity Lager – Steel Reserve was introduced in early 2000 and was the first “High Gravity” lager.[5]
- Howling Monkey Energizing Elixir – Howling Monkey is a caffeinated energy drink that was introduced 2007.[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.[7]
- "Air", a first Sparkling Alcohol Water, was launched the summer of 2012. Air has 4% alcohol by volume and is currently available a number of flavors.
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
- ↑ "The McKenzie River Corporation: Private Company Information - Businessweek". investing.businessweek.com. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
- ↑ http://www.explorewhitefish.com/whitefish_listing.php?uid=9730&listing=Great+Northern+Brewing+Company
- ↑ Scott, H.W. (1890). History of Portland, Oregon: With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens and Pioneers. D. Mason & Company. p. 637. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
- ↑ "Sparks Energy Drink Review - Energy Drink Ratings and Reviews". energy-drink-ratings.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
- ↑ "40ozMaltLiquor.com :: Steel Reserve 211 High Gravity". 40ozmaltliquor.com. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
- ↑ "Howling Monkey Energizing Elixir | BevNET.com Product Review + Ordering | BevNET.com". bevnet.com. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
- ↑ "Le Tourment Vert". absintheology.com. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
- ↑ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4115671.html