Highlights:

• New owners revitalize the Historic Formosa Springs Brewery
• First Formosa brew celebrated under new ownership
• Retail Brewery Store now open for business
• Community involvement and employment
• Formosa Springs Brewery now a Member of Beer Canada and The Brewers Association

FORMOSA, ON, July 5, 2018 /CNW/ - Formosa Springs Brewery Inc., ("Formosa Springs Brewery" or the "Company") one of Canada's oldest and most historic operating Breweries, today announced exciting plans as part of the revitalization of the Brewery and their brands Formosa Springs Draft™ and Red Baron™.

"We've been extremely busy re-commissioning our equipment and adding a fresh coat of paint to the Brewery to welcome our first official small-batch brew which dropped on June 12th," said Lisa Shao, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Formosa Springs Brewery. "We are committed to bringing new vitality to the brewery and the community of Formosa. In fact, I recently relocated to Formosa, moving into the historic Heisz House, built by the family of brewers who served Formosa Springs Brewery for over 70 years. It's amazing to be part of so much history, and I've felt enormously welcomed by the community," added Shao.

When the new owners purchased the historic brewery, they also acquired the brands Formosa Springs Draft, Red Baron Blonde, Red Baron Lime, and Red Baron Platinum Light, and most importantly the pure Formosa artesian spring, which will be the same water that goes into every craft beer that Formosa Springs Brewery will brew.

"Formosa Springs beer has been a staple for many Ontario craft beer drinkers since it launched as the original cold filtered draft available in bottles back in 1990," said Sean Dennis, Director of Sales and Marketing for the company. "Production and distribution is in full swing under the watchful eye of many whom have returned from previous ownership. As our business grows we expect our manpower to grow with it. We're initiating a strategy that includes a razor sharp focus on market and channel expansion, media and brand awareness and to once again become a part of the fabric that makes the South Bruce Region so great," added Dennis.

South Bruce Mayor Robert Buckle added, "We were disappointed when we were told back in January of 2017, that this brewery would be closing and that we would be losing Formosa's major employer. We are very fortunate and pleased to have a new owner take over this brewery and bring employment back to the region so quickly. Within a very short time, Formosa Springs Brewery has already shown their interest in wanting to be a part of our community with their involvement in the South Bruce Vintage Tractor Tour and participation in the Formosa Lions Rib Fest."

"Our retail store is fully operational and open for business in the historic Heisz House, and we have many more plans in the works," said the Brewery's Sean Dennis. "Future plans include a tasting room, a licensed patio with pub fare and new seasonal craft brews. We are also in discussions to explore tourism opportunities around developing a Bruce and Grey County brewery route. There is so much potential here and options seem endless. Of course we are already preparing for our Sesquicentennial in 2020, because it's not every day you get to celebrate a 150th anniversary," added Dennis.

"Tourism has been identified as a key opportunity for future economic growth here in South Bruce, including our ability to integrate with the Explore the Bruce Initiative," said Mayor Buckle. "I believe the right conditions exist in South Bruce to develop a strong, place-based local food initiative that incorporates agricultural, culinary, and heritage elements together — and Formosa Springs Brewery is poised to be part of this kind of dynamic development."

Every great brewer deserves the right to boast when it comes to accolades. Formosa Springs Brewery is both pleased and honored to now be a part of Beer Canada and The Brewers Association. Each association is dedicated towards ensuring the beer industry grows and brewers are making great-tasting, high-quality beer across the province and Canada.  

"Formosa Springs Brewery is a great addition to Beer Canada.  Our association represents brewing companies operating in Canada with our members accounting for more than 90% of domestic beer enjoyed by Canada's 10 million beer drinkers," said Luke Harford, President at Beer Canada. "The fact that Formosa Springs Brewery brings with it almost a hundred and fifty years of brewing heritage makes their membership even more notable," added Harford.

Formosa Springs Draft, Red Baron Blonde, Red Baron Lime and Red Baron Platinum Light are available at select Beer Store locations and at the Formosa Springs Brewery Store located in the Beautiful Valley of Formosa Ontario.

About Formosa Springs Brewery
Founded in 1870, Formosa Springs Brewery is one of Canada's oldest operating breweries. The Company is a regional brewer of award-winning beers. New Canadian owners purchased the Company in September 2017. The sale included the Formosa Springs Draft and Red Baron brands. Formosa Springs Draft was the first ever bottled cold draft beer marketed in Canada, opening up a new market niche. Only fresh spring water from the artesian aquifers found on the property are used to brew Formosa Springs Brewery beer. Visit us to learn more at www.formosabrewery.ca

About South Bruce
The Municipality of South Bruce is located on the southern border of Bruce County in rural Midwestern Ontario, Canada. We are a rural community close to lake Huron. The area includes the communities of Mildmay, Teeswater, Formosa, Belmore, Carlsruhe, Deemerton and the surrounding countryside. The major economic sector is agriculture, however its economic composition also includes a mix of many industries, services, commercial retailers, and amenities to serve residents, visitors and tourists to South Bruce. www.town.southbruce.on.ca

About Beer Canada
Beer Canada is the national trade association that advocates to ensure Canadian brewers are able to operate in a healthy regulatory environment and that beer remains a celebrated part of Canada's culture. As the national voice of beer, Beer Canada represents over 50 Canadian brewing companies that account for 90% of beer made in Canada and a category that supports 149,000 Canadian jobs, $13.6 billion in real gross domestic product and $5.7 billion in tax revenues for federal, provincial and municipal levels of government.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "seek", "plan", "believe" or "continue" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which may cause actual performance and financial results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only at the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Formosa Springs Brewery Inc.

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