Creston's Columbia Brewery gets $1.4 Million investment to brew Budweiser
By Nelson Daily Staff
The Columbia Brewery in Creston is getting a major facelift to its brewing facility with the expected announcement Friday by Labatts to invest $1.4 Million.
The expansion to brewing capacity is to accommodate Budweiser’s renowned brewing process in Creston for the first time.
“Bringing Budweiser to Creston is a significant milestone for the Creston brewery. Labatt’s $1.4 million investment shows our commitment to the Creston community and ensures we can meet growing consumer demand for Budweiser,” said Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs, Labatt Breweries of Canada.
“The addition of Budweiser further diversifies our brewing capabilities and will help maintain and grow Creston’s operational capacity as Labatt’s western-most brewery.”
The expansion will be completed over the next five to six months, with Budweiser expected in market in the spring of 2013.
The addition of Budweiser to the brewery’s portfolio will result in 90,000 additional hectolitres of production each year for Creston.
The addition of Budweiser to the Columbia Brewery marks a major achievement for the brewery — Budweiser is the first global brand that will be brewed at the facility.
In addition to Budweiser, five brands have been added to Creston’s production capabilities since 2009 including Bud Light, Alexander Keith’s, Alexander Keith’s Red Amber Ale, Busch and Brava.
“Budweiser has always stood for quality and great taste. It’s an iconic brand with a rich history dating more than a hundred years. The Creston brewery is thrilled to become a part of the longstanding Budweiser brewing tradition,” said Murray Oswald, Brewery Manager, Creston Brewery.
“Budweiser’s brewing process differs from most beers. It’s brewed with the addition of rice and undergoes a lengthy three-week fermentation using the original Budweiser yeast culture strain from 1876 and the time-honoured Beechwood aging process.
“That, combined with the highest quality ingredients, results in a beer with a smooth taste and crisp, clean finish.”
Creston’s Columbia Brewery began brewing Kokanee lager in 1960 and became part of the Labatt family in 1974.
The brewery employs 140 workers and brews more than 16 different beer brands including Kokanee, Budweiser, Bud Light and Alexander Keith’s.
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