| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1878 |
| Headquarters |
Rochester, New York, USA 445 Saint Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14605 |
| Area served | USA, Canada |
| Products | Beer |
| Owner(s) | North American Breweries (KPS Capital) |
| Employees | 460+ |
| Divisions | Dundee Brewing Company, Honey Brown, Seagram's, Imperial, Labatt Blue Lime, Rock Wall Brewing, Contract Business |
| Website | http://www.geneseebeer.com |
Genesee Brewing Company is an American brewery located along the Genesee River in Rochester, New York. From 2000 to 2009, the company was known as the High Falls Brewing Company. In 2009, High Falls was acquired by the capital investment firm KPS Capital. Together with also newly acquired Labatt USA, KPS merged the two companies as North American Breweries. Along with this change, High Falls Brewery changed its name back to the original "Genesee Brewing Company" operating under the North American Breweries name.
According to 2010 figures, the company is the 8th largest brewing company in America by sales volume.[1]
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The Aqueduct Spring Brewery, the first brewery located in Rochester, New York, opened in 1819. In 1857, Rau & Reisky Brewery, later changed to Reisky & Spies, was established. In 1878, Reisky & Spies was purchased and renamed as the Genesee Brewery. In 1932, after the repeal of Prohibition, the company was reopened as the Genesee Brewing Company.[2] In 2000, the company was sold to an employee investment group, and the company's name was changed to High Falls Brewing Company.
In 2007, Norman Snyder was named CEO of the company, and announced a change in the Genesee brand labeling, which highlights a more classic look.[3] The company also unveiled a new corporate website and increased marketing of the Genesee brand of beers.
In February 2009, High Falls Brewery was sold to a New York City investment group KPS Capital Partners to be run as part of its North American Breweries subsidiary.[4]
In June 2009, North American Breweries announced that the name of the brewery would be changed back to Genesee Brewing Company to reflect the company's long history.[5]
Genesee Cream Ale, also known commonly as Genny Cream or "Screamers" among people in Western New York where Genesee is based, was originally brewed in 1960. The beer is recognized for winning two consecutive gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival.[6]
In 1994, Genesee introduced J.W. Dundee's Honey Brown., which has proven to be one of their most popular brews. It won a Gold Medal at the 2004 World Beer Cup.
In 2006 High Falls added two new beers to the J.W. Dundee's family, J.W. Dundee's American Pale Ale and J.W. Dundee's American Amber Lager.
In June 2008, the company announced a re-branding of the J.W. Dundee line, which is now called Dundee Ales and Lagers.[7]
Along with the formation of North American Breweries, Genesee purchased all of the brand rights to Seagram's Escapes Flavored Coolers in the US. Seagram's Escapes are part of the Flavored Malt Beverage category and provide a variety of smooth, refreshing flavored alcoholic beverages. As of November 2009, all Seagram's Escapes are produced out of the Rochester based facility.
In late 2010, Genesee Brewing developed a new product line under the Rock Wall brewing name. Rock Wall Brewing produces a high alcohol malt liquor product, known as Dog Bite High Gravity.
Genesee also has an exclusive contract to import Cerveza Imperial from Costa Rica.
Genesee brews for Blue Point Brewing Company, Seven Kings Brewery, and Narragansett Brewing Company.
Genesee is also a regional brewer for Mike's Hard Lemonade and other malt beverage products, with Genesee Brewing Company producing almost all of the Mike's sold to the east coast market.
Genesee also is beginning to brew and distribute Labatt Blue Light Lime and Labatt Ice beer from the Rochester, NY Brewery[8]
Genesee contract manufactures Mountain Brew Ice, and Stew Brew for Stewart's Shops, Big Flats 1901 for Walgreens.