
KLN Family Brands is a Minnesota-based company that owns a variety of food brands, from Tuffy's Pet Foods to Swedish Berries and Lazy Town Popcorn. In 1975, KLN purchased Beer Chips, a family-owned brand that was created by adding beer to potato chips. Despite KLN's initial excitement and investment, Beer Chips ultimately failed to sell well and production was shut down in 2014. Although KLN still owns the rights to sell Beer Chips until 2030, they are no longer available for purchase.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Company | KLN Family Brands |
Company History | Began in 1964 with Tuffy's Pet Foods |
Beer Chips History | First made in 1965 with beer, but recipe changed to non-alcoholic in 1975 |
Purchase | Bought by KLN from Roger Kasperson in 1975 |
Location | Perham, Minnesota |
Outcome | Failed to sell well enough to justify production, production shut down in 2014 |
What You'll Learn
- Beer Chips are no longer available to buy, despite KLN Family Brands owning the rights to sell them until 2030
- Beer Chips were originally made by adding beer to potato chips
- Beer Chips were purchased by KLN Family Brands in 1975
- Beer Chips were made in Perham, Minnesota
- Beer Chips were once one of the most popular snacks at high school football games
Beer Chips are no longer available to buy, despite KLN Family Brands owning the rights to sell them until 2030
Beer Chips were first made in 1964 by adding beer to potato chips, but the recipe soon changed to remove the alcohol in 1975. They became a popular snack at high school football games across the area. However, despite KLN's best efforts, Beer Chips ultimately failed to take off.
KLN Family Brands is a Minnesota-based company with four divisions: Barrel O'Fun Snack Food, Kenny's Candy Co., NutHead's Chocolate Factory, and Tuffy's Pet Food. The company began in 1964 with Tuffy's Pet Foods and has since expanded to include many familiar food brands. While Beer Chips may no longer be available, KLN continues to own the rights to sell them until 2030.
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Beer Chips were originally made by adding beer to potato chips
KLN Family Brands was excited to get its hands on such an iconic brand and thought that with a little extra funding and some strategic marketing, they could turn Beer Chips into one of their biggest sellers. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. They invested more than $10 million in R&D and advertising to no avail—the product just wasn't selling well enough to justify continuing production. They shut down production at their Perham plant in 2014 and laid off all 70 employees there. Although KLN Family Brands still owns the rights to sell beer chips through 2030, you won't find them on shelves anymore.
KLN Family Brands is a proud owner of many familiar food brands, from Tuffy's Pet Foods to Swedish Berries and Lazy Town Popcorn. Up to 2015, it also owned Barrel O'Fun, which produces an extensive line of snack foods, including potato chips and other products.
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Beer Chips were purchased by KLN Family Brands in 1975
KLN Family Brands was founded in 1964 by Brian and Kathy Juntunen, and began with Tuffy’s Pet Foods. The company expanded over the years, adding several pet food brands to its portfolio, including Pedigree. In 1984, KLN Family Brands decided to expand into human food, creating Tuffy’s Potato Chip Company with their daughter Nancy.
Over the years, KLN Family Brands continued to grow and diversify its offerings. In addition to Tuffy’s Pet Foods, they also owned Swedish Berries and Lazy Town Popcorn. In 2015, Barrel O'Fun, which produces an extensive line of snack foods, was owned by KLN Family Brands.
Unfortunately, despite KLN's excitement and efforts, Beer Chips did not become one of their biggest sellers. They invested more than $10 million in R&D and advertising, but the product did not sell well enough to justify continuing production. In 2014, they shut down production at their Perham plant and laid off all 70 employees.
While you won't find Beer Chips on shelves anymore, KLN Family Brands still owns the rights to sell them through 2030.
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Beer Chips were made in Perham, Minnesota
In 1975, KLN purchased Beer Chips from a Minnesota man named Roger Kasperson, who had been making them since 1964. KLN was excited to get its hands on such an iconic brand and thought that with a little extra funding and some strategic marketing, they could turn Beer Chips into one of their biggest sellers. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Despite investing more than $10 million in R&D and advertising, the product just wasn't selling well enough to justify continuing production. KLN shut down production at their Perham plant in 2014 and laid off all 70 employees there. Although they still own the rights to sell Beer Chips through 2030, you won't find them on shelves anymore.
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Beer Chips were once one of the most popular snacks at high school football games
In 1975, KLN purchased Beer Chips from a Minnesota man named Roger Kasperson, who had been making them since 1964. KLN was excited to get its hands on such an iconic brand and thought that with a little extra funding and some strategic marketing, they could turn Beer Chips into one of their biggest sellers. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. They invested more than $10 million in R&D and advertising, but the product just wasn’t selling well enough. They shut down production at their Perham plant in 2014 and laid off all 70 employees there. Although they still own the rights to sell beer chips through 2030, you won’t find them on shelves anymore.
Up to 2015, Barrel O'Fun was owned by KLN Family Brands, a Minnesota-based family-owned company with four divisions: Barrel O'Fun Snack Food, Kenny's Candy Co., NutHead's Chocolate Factory, and Tuffy's Pet Food. Barrel O'Fun produces an extensive line of snack foods, including traditional and kettle-cooked potato chips, 100% whole kernel corn tortilla and corn chips, cheese puffs and curls, gourmet popcorn and baked potato crisps.
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Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, you can no longer buy Beer Chips, even though KLN Family Brands still owns the rights to sell them until 2030.
KLN Family Brands shut down production of Beer Chips in 2014. Despite investing more than $10 million in R&D and advertising, the product wasn't selling well enough to justify continuing production.
KLN Family Brands is a Minnesota-based company with four divisions: Barrel O'Fun Snack Food, Kenny's Candy Co., NutHead's Chocolate Factory, and Tuffy's Pet Food.
KLN Family Brands owns many familiar food brands, including Tuffy's Pet Foods, Swedish Berries, and Lazy Town Popcorn.
Beer Chips were originally made by adding beer to potato chips in 1965, but the recipe changed to remove alcohol in 1975. They became one of the most popular snacks at high school football games across Minnesota.