May '97; Portland, OR – Revitalizing a 150-year old European classic, Widmer Brothers Brewing Company rolls out a bottled bier as rich and refined as the city for which it's named. Made with Vienna malt and whole Centennial flower hops, Widmer Vienna is a chestnut colored Altbier that's smooth, aromatic and crisp.
Widmer originally introduced Vienna earlier this year as a spring seasonal, but due to its strong popularity Widmer will make this classic bier available year-round in bottles and on draught. "When our customers told us how much they loved the taste of Vienna and we saw demand skyrocket, we knew that this was a bier we had to bottle," says Kurt Widmer. "It's a remarkable bier that both our customers and our employees love."
Based on a style originated over 150 years ago by Anton Dreher, Widmer's Vienna was created by Widmer brewer Ike Manchester at Widmer's test brewery located at the Rose Garden complex in Portland. Widmer Vienna is top fermented like an ale to reveal its complex flavor and character, then cold-conditioned like a lager to retain a clean, rounded smoothness. Plans currently call for bottled Vienna to be distributed in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.
Vienna captures the rich essence of the city that gave birth to Mozart, Freud, the Blue Danube and the Sachertorte. To celebrate the bottled launch of this classic bier, Widmer Brothers Brewing is holding a contest featuring an expense paid, week-long trip for two to Vienna. Details of the contest will be announced this summer.
Widmer is currently the top selling craft bier in the Pacific Northwest. Brothers Kurt and Rob Widmer founded Widmer Brothers Brewing Company in 1984. The Widmer combination of craft, innovation, and commitment has resulted in a winning blend that's propelled Widmer as a leading craft brewery, and produced some of the most popular craft biers in the country. In addition to creating America's Original Hefeweizen¨, the Widmer signature line of Amberbier, Widberry, and Blackbier is available in several national markets.
Contact: Greg Jackson, Metropolitan Group, 503.223.3299
