I'm often the last to find beer news, so if this has already been posted, ah well. For those who remember the Austin beer scene in the early to mid 90's, this will be interesting; http://www.austin360.com/blogs/cont...012/06/22/celis_brewing_returning_to_aus.html
If I understood Christine Celis correctly, they will be brewing in Belgium and importing the beers. Take that with a big ole grain of salt though.I know she has been setting up something over there with some "young, hip brewmasters".
From the link; "Christine Celis and her business partner Sushil Tyagi are in discussions with financial investors about building a specialized brewery in Austin; although, they will utilize an existing brewing facility now to bring the new Celis to the market as soon as possible." Looks like initial offerings will indeed be from an existing brewing facility. But down the road maybe a new brewery will be built in Austin. This will be their second (!). For those who remember the tours through the first one, it was a nice place. I'm sure this story will unfold for a while.
From conversations I've had with people who know far more about this than I do: What's already out there is true - the beers will be contract brewed to Pierre's old recipes at an existing Austin brewery until the Celis brewery is ready, and should be released in a matter of months. There will be a new Celis brewery in Austin in the foreseeable future. And that's all they want out there for the time being.
I thought that contract brewing was illegal in Texas. I know a few existing relationships were grandfathered in (BJ's and St Arnold's come to mind), but can new ones be started? I hope so, as I'd love to have Celis back sooner rather than later.
If Christine opens up a Celis brewery in Austin that would be great. Regardless if its here or in Belgium, a Celis' owned brewery could be a great thing. I'm left wondering about Michigan Brewing Company. They had picked up the Celis beers. Just wondering what the state is on that since they closed.
south austin brewery is suppose to be doing the contract brewing. maybe they can learn something from the recipes
Contrary to what some people think, I thought the Celis beers contract brewed by MI were a shell of the former beers brewed in Austin. I used to love Celis and would love to see them make a strong comeback but without Pierre I'll remain skeptical until the final product (brewed at the actual Celis facility, not South Austin) is released.
Of course I can't truly compare because of the decade between them, but the Michigan one hit my memory as what the Austin one was like. Just my .02.
