Beam Global Spirits & Wine Begins Expansion of Plant in Frankfort, Ky.

FRANKFORT, Ky., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Beam Global Spirits & Wine, the premium spirits business of Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO) and maker of the world's number one-selling Bourbon whiskey Jim Beam®, today unveiled plans for its continued growth in Kentucky, including a comprehensive expansion of its Frankfort facility. When completed in the fall of 2011, the expansion will double the facility's production size and capacity and bring 120 new jobs to the area.

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Governor Steven L. Beshear joined Beam Global President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew J. Shattock in getting the project officially underway today in a ceremony themed "Growing for the Future." The expansion project further builds on the company's heritage and long-standing commitment to the Commonwealth.

"Beam Global is one of our signature companies in Kentucky that has shown its commitment to our state time and time again," said Governor Beshear. "The expansion of the Beam Global plant in Frankfort will provide a lasting, positive economic impact in the community. Seeing such growth in our Commonwealth is very rewarding."

Under the expansion plans, the Frankfort plant will produce 160 products and have an annual capacity of 10 million cases, representing an increase from 24 percent to 32 percent of Beam Global's total worldwide case volume. The project, which includes the addition of four new bottling lines and approximately 65 new tanks, will assume production and bottling of DeKuyper® cordials from Beam Global's existing facility in Cincinnati. Additional brands bottled at the facility include Sauza®, the world's number two-selling Tequila, and Canadian Club®, one of the world's leading Canadian whiskies.

"Our roots in our home state of Kentucky run deep starting with the founding of Jim Beam, dating back more than two centuries," Shattock said. "As our business and brands have grown over the years, so too has our commitment here in our home state. We thank Governor Beshear, the Economic Development Cabinet and KEDFA board for their valued support of our expansion in Frankfort."

Construction of the expansion is scheduled to begin immediately. When completed, a total of 365 employees are expected to be employed at the facility and nearly 3 million additional cases will be produced. Products bottled at the Frankfort facility are shipped throughout the United States and 43 countries globally.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, EFFEN® Vodka, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher's® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), a leading consumer brands company. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

© 2010 Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., Deerfield, Ill.

SOURCE Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.