CDPQ to support Glutenberg Holding Company’s expansion

Caisse de depôt et placement du Québec (la Caisse) announced today a $2.5 million equity investment, through the Fonds Espace CDPQ, in Québec’s Glutenberg Holding Co., a producer and distributor of craft beers and spirits. 

This transaction, combined with loans totalling $2.5 million from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and its subsidiary, BDC Capital, will allow Glutenberg Holding Co. to move ahead with plans to expand its business in Québec, develop new markets globally and create Glutenberg Capital, the company’s financial arm.

In addition to producing gluten-free craft beer for the Canadian and international markets through its Glutenberg microbrewery, Glutenberg Holding Co. also owns Oshlag, which makes specialty beers and spirits, as well as Transbroue, which distributes craft beers, spirits, ciders and wines from here and all over the world to the Québec market. Its brewing, distilling and distribution operations have led to important synergies, which have rendered the group one of the most competitive players in its industry.

Present in 25 states in the U.S. and across Canada, the Glutenberg microbrewery carries five regular products and has created 30 seasonal varieties over the last five years. Often considered the best gluten-free beer in the world, it has won five World Beer Cup medals. For its part, Oshlag brewery and distillery offers six spirits—including gin, brandy and vodka—and some 15 specialty beers. With its climate-controlled warehouses and fleet of delivery trucks, Transbroue currently distributes products from 30 craft brewers to more than 2,500 points of sale across Québec.