| Agassiz Brewing Company Ltd | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Location | Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada |
| Year opened | 1999 |
| Active beers | |
| Catfish Cream Ale | cream ale |
The Agassiz Brewing Company is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is named for the prehistoric glacial Lake Agassiz which once covered much of Manitoba. Agassiz beer is available in Manitoba, Ontario, and British Columbia. Founded by the original Fort Garry Brewing Company brewmaster, Gary De Pape, the Agassiz Brewing Company was established in Winnipeg in late 1998 and opened it doors on March 17, 1999. Agassiz Brewing did very well during its first year. But after De Pape left to pursue other interests, the Company sales dropped and it had difficulty covering its operating costs because of the small volume. It was forced to operate its facility while producting a fraction of its 600,000 litre capacity. After considering several options, including approaching rival Fort Garry Brewing, it closed its Winnipeg operation on January 31, 2002, sold its assets and went bankrupt to re-emerge as a contract brewer, known as New Manitoba Brewing Ltd. New Manitoba Brewing handled all of the beer marketing, sales, and distribution, while leaving the brewing and packaging to Northern Breweries, of Greater Sudbury, Ontario.[1] On October 15, 2004, New Manitoba Brewing signed an agreement with its former Manitoba rival, Fort Garry Brewing, for that company to warehouse, distribute and market the Agassiz brands.[2] Brands include:
- Catfish Cream Ale (5% alcohol by volume)
No longer available:
- Bison Blonde Lager (4.8%), a helles-style lager
- Dark Lager, a Munich dark lager
- Winnipeg Kolsch (available on tap only)
- Harvest Haze Hefeweizen
