CHINESE BEER TO POUR THROUGH ALBERTA
By Adnews Staff
ITI World Investment Group of Vancouver has signed an agreement to buy the financially troubled Drummond Brewing Company of Red Deer, Alta. The new owners plan to make Tsingtao beer at the Canadian brewery and distribute it throughout North and South America in cans, bottles and kegs. They also intend to seek out licensing deals to make and market other international brands. Tsingtao Brewing Company is China's largest brewer. Currently Tsingtao is imported in Canada, in bottles only, by Qinghua International Trade Development Corp. The latter is owned 50-50 by ITI and Tsingtao Brewing. It was formed to sell Tsingtao beer in Canada and to export Canadian malting barley to China. Canadian advertising for Tsingtao is handled in-house with the help of freelancers. The Drummond brewery went into receivership in August but has been kept operating while trustee Ernst & Young sought a buyer. The company sells its beer in Alberta and has managed advertising in-house. It has not yet been decided whether the brewery will continue to make the Drummond brands: Drummond Draft, Black Wolf, Celtic Gold and Drummond Dry Light.