Genesee Beer: Still A Favorite Brew In The Us?

Founded in 1878, Genesee Brewing Company is one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the United States. The Genesee line of beers includes the iconic Genesee, Genny Light, and The Original Genesee Cream Ale. The Genesee Brewery is based in Rochester, New York, and is part of FIFCO USA. With a focus on product quality and employee safety, FIFCO USA has invested in the Genesee family of beers, its employees, and the community. The Genesee Brewery has a rich history and has been an American icon for over 125 years, with every can, bottle, and pint glass delivering the same full taste and quality that made it famous.

Genesee Cream Ale's new packaging and marketing

Genesee Cream Ale, an iconic beer in Upstate New York, has undergone a packaging and marketing revamp. While the beer itself remains unchanged, Genesee Brewery has introduced new packaging and logos, moving away from the "retro" design of the past four years towards a more modern aesthetic. The new look features an eye-popping shade of green and cursive writing.

The brewery is also repositioning its Cream Ale in the beer marketplace. The marketing campaign aims to differentiate Cream Ale from its "mainstream" siblings, Genesee Beer and Genesee Light, and shift it towards the "craft" end of the spectrum, joining the brewery's existing craft business, the Genesee Brew House line of beers. Janine Schoos, the associate brand director at Genesee Brewery, stated, "We're redefining and repositioning Cream Ale. We want to take this jewel of beer and see what we can do with it. It's different, so we want to find where it fits."

The new marketing strategy will include both mainstream and social media campaigns, with the brewery also exploring musical components that fit the campaign. The shift in positioning may also result in a slight price increase to position Cream Ale in a slightly higher-end market segment.

Genesee Brewery, New York's oldest, has a long history dating back to 1878. The brewery introduced Genesee Cream Ale in 1960, following the release of Light Cream Ale in the 1940s. Cream Ale is unique within the Genesee family as it is made with ale yeast and fermented at lager temperatures, resulting in a fuller body and a touch of extra sweetness compared to Genesee Beer.

The new packaging for Genesee Cream Ale has already been rolled out in 16- and 24-can formats, with 12-ounce cans and bottles to follow soon. While Genesee's core markets are in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, the beer is also available in other eastern states in the US.

The Genesee Brewing Company's history

The Genesee Brewing Company, based in Rochester, New York, is one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the United States. The Genesee Brewery has been an American icon since 1878, when local businessman Mathius Kondolf purchased an already existing brewery, established by Charles Rau in 1856, and renamed it Genesee Brewing Company.

In 1889, a group of English investors purchased stock in three different Rochester breweries—Genesee Brewery, Rochester Brewing Company, and Bartholomay Brewery Company—and renamed the conglomerate Bartholomew Brewing Company, Limited. The buildings of the Rochester Brewery were converted into a cold storage plant.

In 1932, Louis Wehle, a former brewmaster at Genesee and then vice president and manager of a successful bakery in Rochester, purchased the former brewery buildings and recipes, incorporating the Genesee Brewing Company on July 8, 1933. On April 27, Genesee resumed shipping beer. Louis Wehle said he would be happy to sell 100,000 barrels in the first year, but he exceeded this goal by 50,000 barrels.

Genesee continued to grow, expanding distribution across New York State and into portions of Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1936, the company acquired the old Parsons Malt House in Sodus Point, spending nearly $200,000 on renovations that were completed in 1938. In December 1984, Genesee purchased the Fred Koch Brewery of Dunkirk, New York.

In 2000, the company was sold to an employee investment group, and the company's name was changed to High Falls Brewing Company. In 2009, High Falls was acquired by the capital investment firm KPS Capital, which merged it with Labatt USA under the name North American Breweries. In October 2012, North American Breweries was purchased by FIFCO.

Today, Genesee Brewing Company is part of FIFCO USA and continues to brew its flagship Genesee Beer, also known as "Genny" beer, along with other popular beers such as Genny Light and Genesee Cream Ale.

The Genesee Brewing Company's commitment to quality

The Genesee Brewing Company, based in Rochester, New York, has been an American icon and one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the USA since 1878. The company's commitment to quality is evident in its beers, which are brewed with the same full taste and quality that made them famous over 125 years ago.

Genesee uses only the finest ingredients, such as two-row barley malt, corn grits, and hops from the Yakima Valley, to ensure that every can, bottle, and pint glass delivers a consistent and exceptional beer experience. This commitment to quality has led to the Genesee line of beers, including the iconic Genesee, the refreshing Genny Light, and the Original Genesee Cream Ale, which has become a classic.

The company's dedication to quality is also reflected in its commitment to its employees and the community. With over 500 employees, the Genesee Brewing Company focuses on crafting and bottling quality beers every day. The company's sense of pride and purpose is evident in its commitment to brewing quality beers that people have loved for over a century.

In recent years, the Genesee Brewing Company has undergone a $50 million modernization project to transform its facility into a world-class packaging facility, increasing manufacturing capacity and efficiency. This investment has not only retained over 500 jobs but also created up to 57 new jobs, demonstrating the company's commitment to its employees and the local community.

The Genesee Brewery's location and its German heritage

The Genesee Brewery is located in Rochester, New York, and has been in operation since 1878, making it one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the United States. The brewery is situated along the Genesee River, from which it takes its name.

The history of brewing in Rochester reflects the city's vibrant German heritage. By the end of the 19th century, 50 breweries were operating in Rochester, including the Aqueduct Spring Brewery, the city's first brewery.

The Genesee Brewery itself has German roots that date back to its founding. In 1856, Charles Rau, a former brewmaster at Marburger Brothers, established the Rau & Reisky Brewery, later renamed Reisky & Spies. The brewery was renowned for its lager and its "first-class saloon" with a bowling alley. In 1878, local businessman Mathius (or Mathias) Kondolf purchased Reisky & Spies, changing its name to The Genesee Brewery.

The Genesee Brewery has introduced several popular beers over the years, including Genesee Cream Ale, which was first brewed in 1960 and has won multiple awards, and J.W. Dundee's Honey Brown, introduced in 1994, which has become one of their most popular brews.

The Genesee brand's expansion and distribution

The Genesee Brewing Company, based in Rochester, New York, is one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the United States. The Genesee line of beers includes the iconic Genesee, Genny Light, and The Original Genesee Cream Ale.

Genesee has a long history of expansion and distribution, dating back to its founding in 1878. In the early years, Genesee expanded its distribution across New York State and into portions of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Over time, they continued to expand into other states, including Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana, and eventually, additional western and southern states.

In 1984, Genesee acquired the Fred Koch Brewery of Dunkirk, New York, adding Koch's Golden Anniversary Beer to their portfolio. This acquisition expanded their reach in Western New York, a region where Koch Brewery was well-established.

In 2000, the company was sold to an employee investment group and renamed High Falls Brewing Company. This move signaled a shift in branding, with a new logo that featured the "high falls" of the Genesee River, the brewery's home since its inception.

In 2009, High Falls Brewery was acquired by KPS Capital Partners and merged with Labatt USA to form North American Breweries (NAB). This expansion solidified their position as the largest independently owned beer company in the United States. NAB further invested $10 million in improvements and upgrades to modernize the brewery and an additional $6 million in regional marketing efforts.

In 2012, NAB was purchased by FIFCO, a food and beverage company headquartered in Costa Rica. This acquisition brought a renewed focus on product quality, facility upgrades, conservation initiatives, and employee safety.

Genesee has continued to expand its portfolio and distribution network. They have introduced new beers, such as the seasonal Oktoberfest, and established craft brewery subsidiaries like High Falls Brewing Company. In 2024, Genesee announced a $50 million modernization project to support the addition of Labatt's Blue and Blue Light beers to their Rochester portfolio.

Today, Genesee products are available in multiple states across the country, and the company remains committed to brewing the quality beers that have been loved by Americans for over a century.

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