Founders sell craft brewery to RJ Brewers

Montreal – After 25 years, the founders of La Brasserie McAuslan Brewing Inc. have sold their business to RJ Brewers.

Peter McAuslan, president, and Ellen Bounsall, vice-president Production, were the founders and majority shareholders of La Brasserie McAuslan and now will have no further role in the operations.

Further details of the deal were not released.

RJ Brewers, which acquired its initial stake in McAuslan in June 2008, said the deal will not change the way the companies operate, reports the MontrealGazette.com.

The brewer said both companies will continue to function independently and maintain their unique brand identities.

RJ Brewers brews the Belle Gueule, Cheval Blanc and Tremblay labels as well as a number of specialty beers including le Coup de Grisou and la Blonde d’Achouffe.

McAuslan Brewery brews the St-Ambroise brand of beers as well as Griffon Rousse and Griffon extra blonde.

McAuslan says its brewing company garnered numerous awards nationally and internationally for its beers. At the recent American Craft Brewers Conference in Washington, St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout and St. Ambroise Barley Wine were listed as beers to taste in the All About Beer annual listing of the best beers in the world.

McAuslan Brewing was established in 1988 – at a time when Labatt, Molson and O’Keefe controlled 99 per cent of the market and there were no microbrewery beers. Today its ales St. Ambroise and Griffon are sold in eight provinces, the U.S., Australia and Switzerland.