Dundee Brewing Company
Rochester brewer known for award-winning Honey Brown Lager.
Dundee Brewing Company, based in Rochester, New York, was a label within the Genesee Brewing Company, which itself was owned by North American Breweries (now FIFCO USA). The brand launched its first lager in 1994 under the name J.W. Dundee's Honey Brown. That beer earned a strong reputation and a gold medal at the 2004 World Beer Cup. Over time, the company produced a single year-round craft beer—an India Pale Ale—alongside eight other styles sold in seasonal variety packs: English-Style Ale, Kölsch-Style Ale, Pale Ale, Pale Bock, Pilsner, Porter, and Stout. Four additional seasonal offerings rotated through the year: Irish Red Lager in spring, Summer Shandy in summer, Oktoberfest in fall, and Nut Brown Ale in winter. On October 29, 2020, Genesee Brewing announced it would rebrand the last product still carrying the J.W. Dundee name—Original Honey Brown Lager—as Genesee Specialty. The brand’s history includes a 2006 expansion that added Amber Lager and Pale Ale, plus some seasonal selections. In 2008, all J.W. Dundee's products were rebranded simply as Dundee Ales & Lagers, including Honey Brown. Then, in early 2010, under North American Breweries, Honey Brown was separated from the Dundee lineup and returned to being called The Original Honey Brown Lager. New craft beers and seasonal offerings were added to the Dundee Ales and Lagers family at that time.
Quick Facts
- Hq Location
- Rochester, NY / United States
- Owner
- Genesee Brewing Company
- Founded
- 1994
- Industry
- Alcoholic beverage
- Products
- Beer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
J.W. Dundee's Honey Brown Original Lager was first produced in 1994. The company added Amber Lager and Pale Ale in 2006 along with some seasonal selections. In 2008, the company re-branded all the 'J.W. Dundee's' products as simply 'Dundee Ales & Lagers', including Honey Brown. In early 2010, under North American Breweries ownership, the company separated Honey Brown from the Dundee lineup and returned this product to 'The Original Honey Brown Lager.' New craft beer brands and seasonal selections were added to the Dundee Ales and Lagers family. On October 29, 2020, Genesee Brewing announced the rebranding of Original Honey Brown Lager, their last product still bearing the J.W. Dundee brand, to Genesee Specialty.
Reader's Guide
Dundee Brewing Company produced one year-round craft beer, India Pale Ale, as well as eight craft beers available in seasonal variety packs: English-Style Ale, Kölsch-Style Ale, Pale Ale, Pale Bock, Pilsner, Porter and Stout. The company also produced four seasonal craft beers: Irish Red Lager (Spring), Summer Shandy (Summer), Oktoberfest (Fall), and Nut Brown Ale (Winter). The Original Honey Brown Lager, with an ABV of 4.5% and IBU of 10, was brewed with pure clover honey, giving it a golden color and distinctive clover-like sweetness. It won the gold medal at the 2004 World Beer Cup in the Special Honey Lager or Ale Category. The Dundee India Pale Ale (ABV 6.3%, IBU 60) was aggressively hopped with floral and citrus bitterness. Other offerings included English-Style Ale (ABV 5.1%, IBU 15), Kölsch-Style Ale (ABV 5.1%, IBU 10), Pale Ale (ABV 5.3%, IBU 35), Pale Bock (ABV 6.25%, IBU 25), Pilsner (ABV 5.0%, IBU 25), Porter (ABV 6.5%, IBU 30), and Stout (ABV 5.8%, IBU 15). Seasonal beers included Irish Red Lager (ABV 5.0%, IBU 25, available January to March), Summer Shandy (ABV 4.2%, IBU 9, available April to July), Oktoberfest (ABV 5.5%, IBU 17, available August to October), and Nut Brown Ale (ABV 5.3%, IBU 24, available November to December).
Did You Know?
- The brand was originally launched in 1994 as J.W. Dundee's Honey Brown.
- The last product bearing the J.W. Dundee brand was rebranded to Genesee Specialty on October 29, 2020.
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