High Falls Brewing Company
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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. 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. 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.
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.
, 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.
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.
, 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
Genesee contract manufactures Mountain Brew Ice, and Stew Brew for Stewart's Shops
, Big Flats 1901 for Walgreens
.
Genesee River
The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....
in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. 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
North American Breweries
North American Breweries is a new parent corporation established by New York City investment firm KPS Capital Partners to manage its brewery acquisitions: Genesee Brewing Company, Dundee Brewing Company, Pyramid, Magic Hat, and MacTarnahan's. The company also manages Labatt USA, which imports...
. Along with this change, High Falls Brewery changed its name back to the original "Genesee Brewing Company" operating under the North American Breweries
North American Breweries
North American Breweries is a new parent corporation established by New York City investment firm KPS Capital Partners to manage its brewery acquisitions: Genesee Brewing Company, Dundee Brewing Company, Pyramid, Magic Hat, and MacTarnahan's. The company also manages Labatt USA, which imports...
name.
According to 2010 figures, the company is the 8th largest brewing company in America by sales volume.
History
The Aqueduct Spring Brewery, the first brewery located in Rochester, New YorkRochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, 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
Prohibition in the United States
Prohibition in the United States was a national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in place from 1920 to 1933. The ban was mandated by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and the Volstead Act set down the rules for enforcing the ban, as well as defining which...
, the company was reopened as the Genesee Brewing Company. 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. 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
KPS Capital Partners
KPS Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on control investments in middle-market companies through special situations transactions such as turnarounds, restructurings, bankruptcies, and corporate divestitures...
to be run as part of its North American Breweries
North American Breweries
North American Breweries is a new parent corporation established by New York City investment firm KPS Capital Partners to manage its brewery acquisitions: Genesee Brewing Company, Dundee Brewing Company, Pyramid, Magic Hat, and MacTarnahan's. The company also manages Labatt USA, which imports...
subsidiary.
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.
Genesee Cream Ale
Genesee Cream AleGenesee Cream Ale
Genesee Cream Ale is a cream ale produced by the Genesee Brewing Company in Rochester, NY. The brewery was known as High Falls Brewing Company from 2000 to 2009...
, also known commonly as Genny Cream or "Screamers" among people in Western New York
Western New York
Western New York is the westernmost region of the state of New York. It includes the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, the surrounding suburbs, as well as the outlying rural areas of the Great Lakes lowlands, the Genesee Valley, and the Southern Tier. Some historians, scholars and others...
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.
Dundee Ales & Lagers
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.
Seagram's Escapes
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.Rock Wall Brewing Co
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.Imported beverages
Genesee also has an exclusive contract to import Imperial Cerveza from Costa Rica.Contract brewing
Genesee brews for Blue Point Brewing CompanyBlue Point Brewing Company
Blue Point Brewing Company is a microbrewery located on Long Island, in Patchogue, New York. The brewery offers a variety of beers, including seasonal brews, as well as a 'tasting room' which is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays....
, Seven Kings Brewery, and Narragansett Brewing Company
Narragansett Brewing Company
The Narragansett Brewing Company was founded in Cranston, Rhode Island, USA, in 1890. It was closed on July 31, 1981, and then re-established in 2005....
.
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
Genesee contract manufactures Mountain Brew Ice, and Stew Brew for Stewart's Shops
Stewart's Shops
Stewart's Shops is a U.S. chain of convenience stores located primarily in eastern Upstate New York and southwestern Vermont.Headquartered in Saratoga Springs, the company is well-established, particularly in the Capital District...
, Big Flats 1901 for Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
.