ST. LOUIS - Excel Bottling Company has created and bottled soda in the small Illinois town of Breese for more than 75 years. This year, the still family-owned and –operated company added brewing beer to its expertise. The newly finished brewery began brewing on Sept. 26 the first of three labels to be introduced in 2012 marking the beginning of a new era at the third-generation local business. The company will produce two additional labels next spring and summer.
“This is a proud moment for our family,” said William Meier, General Manager at Excel Bottling Company and third generation operating the family business. “This became more of a reality about a year ago when Illinois changed its distribution law to allow for self-distribution. The reason this project was undertaken was not to significantly grow our company, but to ensure that we remain viable and continue to serve our already loyal customers.”
The first label, Shoal Creek Wheat is a German-style Hefeweizen. Hazy-gold in color, this beer gives off a crisp balance of sweet malt. Shoal Creek Wheat is made following the German Purity Law of 1516. The law states that beer can only be made with water, barley and hops. The second, Excel Golden Brew, is a light blonde ale made from very simple ingredients to produce a light hoppy taste. The simplicity of the golden beer allows the richness of the malted barley to come through. The final product to be released this winter is Shoal Creek Winter Ale, created as a heavier beer with hints of anise, nutmeg and vanilla. Next spring, Excel Bottling Company expects to produce and bottle Excel Citra, a light beer with hints of lemon and orange, just like its already manufactured “Ski” soda. Next summer the brewing company plans to introduce Carlyle Lake Lager a light, clean, summer beer.
Call 618-526-7159 or visit www.excelbottling.com for more information about where to purchase any of the Excel Bottling products. Stay informed with new Excel Brewery news on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ExcelBrewery.
About Excel Bottling Company
Excel Bottling Company was founded in 1936 by the Meier Family. The company bottles more than 10 flavors of old-fashioned sodas including “Ski” soda. Each soda flavor is manufactured using pure cane sugar and most often packaged in eco-friendly, returnable glass bottles. In 2012, Excel Bottling Company embarked on a new bottling venture in the craft beer business serving Illinois and Missouri. Excel Bottling Company is headquartered in Breese, Ill. Visit www.excelbottling.com for more information.
