(Toronto, Canada) – For their 25th anniversary, the folks at Creemore Springs have paired up with German brewery Zum Schlüssel to create a special edition, Altbier. Creemore’s Altbier is the resulting collaborative masterpiece from Creemore Springs, and is a dark mahogany-hued ale with subtle roasted malt flavours and an intensifying hop finish that makes every sip of this beer taste fuller and richer.

The Altbier beer style was developed in the middle of the 19th century by four small brewpubs, all within easy walking distance from each other. Thanks to the each brewpub’s special, proprietary yeast, each of their Altbiers has a signature flavor, which makes them entirely unique and rare in the world.

“Creemore’s collaboration with Zum Schlüssel has enabled us to create something really extraordinary to celebrate our first quarter-century,” says Karen Gaudino, Marketing Director at Creemore Springs. “Even more exciting, this is the first ale ever brewed by Creemore Springs, and we’re delighted to add it to our line-up of premium, delicious craft beers.”

With a goal of celebrating Creemore’s 25th anniversary in a big way, Creemore Brewmaster Gordon Fuller and head brewer Bryan Egan travelled to Düsseldorf in early 2012, to immerse themselves in German brewing culture. Learning trade secrets from the brewers at Zum Schlüssel allowed them to create a unique and special variety of their own Altbier at home in Canada. Zum Schlüssel even generously shared some of its centuries-old yeast with Egan and Fuller to take back to Creemore Springs.

“A ‘house’ yeast, particularly the authentic pub yeast from one of the foundation breweries of the style, is proprietary to breweries and is not released to anyone. Thus, it’s a sacred trust to have been given the opportunity to replicate the authentic Zum Schlüssel house flavour,” adds Karen. “This yeast gives our Altbier the traditional flavour profile that this ale is known for. It was also an incredible experience working with Zum Schlüssel’s brewers who are masters at their craft. Not only did they share their authentic yeast with us, they also shared their brewing knowledge and their long experience in brewing this style of beer.”

The truly unique legacy of this collaboration was about more than Creemore making an Altbier – it was about brewing an authentic Altbier because of the yeast and the collaboration with the German brewers.

Creemore’s 25th anniversary special edition Altbier will be available in 473 ml cans at LCBOs for $2.80 and draught throughout Ontario in August and September only.

For more information on Creemore Springs, visit www.creemoresprings.com, visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CreemoreSprings or on Twitter @CreemoreSprings.

About Creemore Springs:
Established in 1987, Creemore Springs is one of Ontario’s original craft brewers, taking great pride to make beer the old fashioned way. Brewed in small batches, in an open flame copper kettle with its own local spring water, the finest barley malt, imported noble hops and select yeast. No additives, no preservatives, no pasteurization and no compromises. Just good old-fashioned pure, natural beer. That’s why consumers seek out our four distinct beer styles at fine establishments everywhere. The brewery is located in a century-old hardware store on the main street of the Village of Creemore, ON. Visitors are welcomed with beer tastings, brewery tours, a charming beer store and small town hospitality. For more information visit www.creemoresprings.com.