STROH IS BREWING UP DEAL FOR HEILEMAN

DETROIT -- Stroh Brewery Co. here, the nation's fourth largest brewer, is in the process of acquiring Rosemont, Ill.-based G. Heileman Brewing Co., the fifth largest player.

, as well as a beverage manufacturing facility in Perry, Ga. It also would acquire all of Heileman's brands, including Special Export, Old Style, Rainier, Henry Weinhard, Schmidt's, Lone Star, Champale, Colt 45 and Mickey's.

"The combination of the companies' employees, high-quality brand portfolios and strategically located breweries will create significant strengths. We will become a stronger competitor in a highly competitive industry, both domestically and internationally," said William L. Henry, president and chief executive officer of Stroh.

Lacey Logan, a Stroh spokeswoman, told SN the acquisition will provide Stroh with a strong portfolio of regional, national and specialty brands.

"Stroh had no production capabilities on the West Coast. The breweries that Heileman has in Portland and Seattle provide us a real good opportunity to service our West Coast customers as well as our international customers," she said, noting Stroh's international business has been growing at about 50% annually and that it has a major presence in the Pacific Rim area.

Stroh brands include Stroh's, Old Milwaukee, Schlitz, Schaefer and Schlitz Malt Liquor.