The History of Genny Light
The History of
Genny Light
Gary Geminn took the brewing helm at Genesee in 1978 - following in the footsteps of his father, brewmaster Clarence Geminn. Gary knew well the grind of brewing - having shadowed his dad for many years - and in the late-70s the grind was tough. At this time, there were fewer than 100 breweries operating in America. A new hook was needed. Something refreshing and light. Something people could look forward to at the end of a long day and not feel guilty about.
Several years before Gary Geminn became brewmaster, a new brewing trend had emerged and it wasn’t going away: the light lager. Light beer went mainstream in 1973, when a large midwestern brewery popularized the style. The light beer signified an enormous shift in American brewing led by an appetite for fewer calories.
Geminn had brewing in his blood and set out to make Genesee a real competitor in the light beer category. In 1979, he hit his mark with Genesee Light, a beer with fewer calories than the rest of our offerings, but with great flavor. Genesee Light immediately grabbed its own spotlight, knowing what it was and never pretending to be anything different, just like the folks who enjoy it most.
