Boulevard Brewing Reports for Fundraising Duty Brewery to sponsor U.S.S. Missouri (SSN-780) Commissioning

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 30, 2010 – When Boulevard Brewing Company began to consider becoming an official sponsor of the U.S.S. Missouri (SSN-780) Commissioning Committee, the Kansas City craft brewer knew right away that it didn’t want to simply cut a check. Instead, Missouri’s largest American-owned brewery saw an opportunity to inform citizens about the new Virginia-class submarine while enlisting their participation in this historic event.

For every barrel of Boulevard beer sold in the state of Missouri during the months of May, June, and July, the company will contribute $1.00 to the Commissioning Committee. “No matter what Boulevard product a customer buys—a six-pack, a bottle of one of our Smokestack beers, or a pint at any Missouri bar or restaurant—money will be contributed to the Commissioning,” said Bob Sullivan, Boulevard’s chief sales and marketing officer. “With 40% of our sales coming from Missouri, we’re on track to be the event’s single largest contributor.”

In April, 12‑pack containers of gold medal-winning Boulevard Pilsner debuted in packages showcasing Boulevard’s sponsorship and featuring an illustration of the submarine. The brewery also created distinctive glassware, server apparel, and other materials retailers can use to promote the campaign. “The number of accounts that have embraced this opportunity has blown us away,” said Tod Smith, director of sales for the brewery. “It’s been really gratifying to see Missourians sense of pride and their eagerness to support our troops.”

The U.S.S. Missouri is the seventh of the new Virginia-class submarines. Longer than a football field and weighing in at more than 7,800 tons, she is manned by a crew of 134, who will go to sea for months at a time. The commissioning will take place on July 31st in Groton, Conn. The ship is expected to see at least 30 years of active duty.

About Boulevard Brewing Company
Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to be the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest, dedicated to the craft of producing fresh, flavorful beers using traditional ingredients and the best of both old and new brewing techniques. Boulevard’s portfolio of year-round and seasonal beers are available in 12 Midwestern states, with selected offerings distributed in an additional eight states.

Boulevard introduces Unfiltered Wheat Beer in Aluminum Bottles

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 5, 2009 – Boulevard Brewing Company today announced the debut of a 16-ounce aluminum bottle for Unfiltered Wheat Beer, the brewery’s most popular offering. The package is expected to enhance distribution opportunities in locations where glass is prohibited, such as golf courses, pools, concert venues, and some outdoor events. The new metal bottles will hit the market beginning April 1.

The company’s choice of the container represents a departure from an exclusive reliance on the traditional glass bottle. “The environmental advantages of aluminum were an important consideration,” explained John McDonald, Boulevard founder and president, “but we added this package primarily to give consumers access to our beer in places that won’t allow glass and don’t have draught capabilities.” McDonald, an art school graduate, also cited design opportunities as a factor in the decision. “While great-tasting beer remains our top priority, we’ve always put a lot of effort and energy into producing beautiful packaging. The aluminum bottle presented our in-house creative team with an exciting new canvas, and I think they’ve done a fantastic job.”

Boulevard’s new state-of-the-art bottling line – installed in late 2008 at a cost of nearly $6 million – is being used to package both its traditional glass bottles and the new metal containers. Current plans call for limiting use of the aluminum bottle to its flagship Unfiltered Wheat Beer, which will continue to be offered in 6-, 12-, and 20-packs of 12-ounce glass bottles.

About Boulevard Brewing Company
Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to be the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest, dedicated to the craft of producing fresh, flavorful beers using traditional ingredients and the best of both old and new brewing techniques. Boulevard’s portfolio of six year-round and five seasonal beers are available in a 17-state region stretching from Utah to Alabama, and from North Dakota to Texas.