Fred Koch Brewery - 1980s - Sold Again & Again

Sold Again & Again

In 1981, the Fred Koch Brewery was purchased by the Vaux Breweries of Sunderland, England. Vaux expressed confidence planning on a 30 percent expansion of the brewery's 30,000-barrel annual capacity. In 1983, the book "Gourmet Guide to Beer" ranked Koch's Golden Anniversary Beer number one among 140 American-brewed pale lagers. And its Jubilee Porter, made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of Prohibition, was also well received. In 1984, as a St. Patrick's Day promotion, the brewery distributed green colored beer. The novelty shipment was a sell-out.

After just 3 years, Vaux Breweries sold the Fred Koch Brewery to the Genesee Brewing Company. After the sale, Genesee would continue to produce Koch's Golden Anniversary Beer and Black Horse Ale. Genesee found some success with the Koch's line. Koch's Golden Anniversary Beer won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1987. And Black Horse Ale won a gold medal at the 1988 Great American Beer Festival.

As earnings continued to fall in the face of industry consolidation, Genesee began looking for new ways to cut costs. The brewery located in Dunkirk was closed and all production of the Koch's brand was made in Rochester, NY.

In 1988, the former Fred Koch Brewery buildings on West Courtney Street in Dunkirk, New York were converted from a brewery to an incubator for nurturing new businesses.