FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2005
Contact: Haley Wansing at (573) 635-3819
Missouri Soybean Association

Jefferson City, MO – The latest edition to the Pony Express® beverage stable—owned by America’s first farmer-owned brewery—hits one of North America’s largest food shows. The Tornado Red Ale appeals to thousands of taste buds at the 2005 Food and Marketing Institute (FMI) Food Show May 1 – 3, 2005 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center.

“Tornado Red Ale was recently launched and enjoys a successful following because of its reputation as a superior quality handcrafted ale that satisfies discriminating tastes,” said Mike Dorrell, general manager of Great Plains Brewing Company, a division of the farmer-owned cooperative, TransCon AG, Inc., headquartered in Garden City, Mo.

The former recipient of the Silver Medal for Red Amber Ale at the Great American Beer Fest in Denver Co., Tornado Red Ale last struck at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. The unique red ale appeals to the masses not only for its great taste, but also because it’s made by Midwest farmers.

“I’m proud to help make such a fine beer available to the public, and even prouder to be making a positive impact on the economy in terms of jobs and output. As farmers, we are always looking for creative uses of our crops,” said Dale R. Ludwig, executive director/CEO of Missouri Soybean Association and one of the cooperative’s founders.

TransCon AG, Inc., is a new generation cooperative owned 100 percent by farmers. Their primary focus is quality control, from initial crop planting to the finishing production process. The result is a beer which, through its taste, reflects the true taste of the American heartland.

“The beer is a huge hit. Many people love it, not only because it tastes great, but also because it comes from a farmer-owned operation,” said Alex Stemme, farmer-owner and proud exhibitor of Pony Express Tornado Red Ale at the food show.

Pony Express branded beverages are warmly welcomed by a loyal customer base. Pony Express Tornado Red Ale is now distributed primarily in Missouri and Kansas, along with the flagship beer, Pony Gold, as well as Pony Express Original Wheat and Pony Express Rattlesnake Pale Ale.

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