HOTTRUB
January 31, 2001
Edited by: Peter LaFrance (peter.lafrence@beerbasics.com)
Presented by: American Brewer
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Vol. 2 No. 5
This newsletter will post items of special interest to brewers, members of the
brewing and distilling community, and members of the media that covers the
beverage alcohol business.
Should you wish to contribute in any way to this venture please contact Peter
LaFrance at peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
If you wish to be dropped from this list please respond to this posting to peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
and include the word remove in the Subject: line.
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Yesterday Molson Inc. today announced the sale of the Montreal Canadiens and Molson Centre to Colorado businessman George N. Gillett Jr., who will purchase 80.1% interest in the hockey team and 100% of the Molson Centre for $275 million.
The transaction is subject to final documentation and regulatory approvals, including that of the National Hockey League Board of Governors.
Molson's decision to sell a majority interest in the hockey club was announced in June 2000 as the company refocused on its brewing roots.
Molson posted more than $2 billion in annual sales last year and finds itself head to head with rival Labatt/Interbrew in the North American market.
In an Associated Press report yesterday afternoon it was reported that Tom Aunan, the parent of a University of Iowa student, took exception to the lyrics of the polka tune ``In Heaven There Is No Beer'' which has been played in celebration of Hawkeye football and basketball victories for the last 20 years.
In an e-mail to University of Iowa administrators, Mr. Aunan asserted that the lyrics (``In heaven, there is no beer. That's why we drink it here. And when we're gone from here, all our friends will be drinkin' all the beer.'') send the wrong message to the euphoric crowd celebrating a sports victory.
``The message is excessive drinking,'' he wrote. ``I don't think it's right for our band to be promoting that kind of a message to our fans, especially our young fans.''
The Boston Beer Company announced yesterday that Martin Roper has been named chief executive officer. Mr. Roper joined The Boston Beer Company as VP of operations in 1994 and was promoted to chief operations officer in 1997 and to president in 1999.
Jim Koch will retain the title of Chairman and Brewer of The Boston Beer Company and will continue to be fully involved with the company as he has since founding the company in 1984.
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