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OLYMPIA, Wa., January 4, 2005 - In another bold move, the Fish Brewing Company has acquired Spire Mountain Cider from the Washington Wine and Beverage Company in Woodinville, WA. Spire Mountain Cider changed hands in a full asset purchase that will relocate all cider production to the Fish Brewery in Olympia by late January. The deal for Spire Mountain Cider involved a transfer of Fish Brewing stock to the Washington Wine and Beverage Company, making W.W.B.C. a significant shareholder in Fish Brewing Co.
 Founded in the mid-1980's, Spire Mountain Cider is America's longest continuously operating cider brand and the best selling craft cider brand in the Pacific Northwest. Spire is the dominant player in Washington State, with four cider styles available: Hard Apple, Hard Pear, Dark and Dry Apple, and Spiced Apple, in 12 oz, 22 oz, and draft kegs. Now, as a result of this acquisition, Spire Mountain Ciders are poised for even further expansion in the neighboring Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia markets, as this brand is introduced to Fish Brewing Company's extensive distributor network.
For Fish Brewing, this latest purchase makes the Company a three brand house, including the award winning organic Fish Tale Ales, the Leavenworth Beers so prized by Northwest craft beer geeks, and the best selling Spire Mountain Ciders. With such a rich portfolio of craft beverage brands, Fish Brewing intends to increase its share of mind with its distributors. The Company is also better prepared to satisfy the beverage demands of its retail customers at its existing and future pubs. Finally, with the recent addition of a new 40 BBL DME brewhouse, the acquisition of Spire Mountain's fermenting and bottling equipment, and the vast assortment of brewing and packaging equipment bought on auction at the Olympia Brewery, Fish Brewing is also poised for a substantial expansion in production and sales.
Excitement is running high at the brewery in Olympia, as new equipment is put into place and new cider packaging is being designed. Feeling slightly overwhelmed, but very pleased by her new cider responsibilities, Head Brewer Jenn Gridley expressed the view shared by her brewing staff, "It is certainly a huge challenge, but at least we will have some tasty cider to help us relax after work."
See the Olympian article for information. |
