Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
ZELE BREWING COMPANY
ZELE BREWING COMPANY. Zele (pronounced "Zay-IAy") announced in October 1989, their intentions of purchasing the DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY. A Seattle, Washington company, Zele had sales of $3.6 million in 1989 and based its future profitability on the production of an unusual lemon-favored beer to be called Panache (pronounced "Panashay"). Zele announced that it would continue the Dubuque Star brands and spend one million dollars in the first six months on marketing. The four-year-old company had owned no production facilities of its own when it announced the Dubuque Star purchase relying instead on having its beers produced by other BREWERIES in France and then in western Canada.
When the purchase was disclosed, it was announced that the production of Zele products would add an additional 20,000 barrels to the annual production of the landmark Dubuque brewery. It was anticipated that this would triple the then current production and allow the brewery to operate profitably.
On December 22, 1990, Zele Brewing Company of Dubuque closed its doors when secured creditors foreclosed.