United Airlines Crafts Addition to Beverage Service with Goose Island

CHICAGO, June 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and Goose Island Beer Company today announced the two Chicago brands are teaming up to offer Goose Island's 312 Urban Wheat Ale craft beer on the airline's flights worldwide and at United Clubs in the continental United States, beginning July 1.

Goose Island's 312 Urban Wheat Ale is a Chicago-inspired beer. Densely populated with flavor and named after one of Chicago's primary area codes, the beer has a spicy aroma of cascade hops, followed by a crisp, fruity ale flavor delivered in a smooth, creamy body that is immensely refreshing.

To commemorate the new partnership, United will host a special happy hour July 1 on United Flight 312 from Chicago to Houston and serve a complimentary 312 Urban Wheat Ale to customers throughout the aircraft.

In addition, members of the carrier's MileagePlus loyalty program may use their miles to purchase tickets to watch the Aug. 19 Chicago Cubs-San Francisco Giants game at Chicago's Skybox on Sheffield, which offers an extensive Goose Island selection. United will offer 40 pairs of tickets from July 17 to Aug. 6 through its MileagePlus Headliners program.

"We are thrilled to join with another strong Chicago brand as we further enhance our beverage service," said Lynda Coffman, United's vice president of food services. "Our customers have told us they want craft beer on board, and with the addition of 312 Urban Wheat Ale, we are able to satisfy their tastes with an excellent product."

"We are proud to have United Airlines choose Goose Island as a craft beer partner," said Andy Goeler, CEO of Goose Island Beer Company. "Both companies are not only from Chicago but are also established icons in the Windy City, just two of the many reasons this relationship is sure to be a success."

The beer will be complimentary for premium-cabin customers and will cost $7.99 in United Economy. In United Clubs, a serving will cost $3.

(Go to http://newsroom.unitedcontinentalholdings.com/312 for a picture of 312 Urban Wheat Ale.)

United Food and Beverage Investments
Goose Island's 312 Urban Wheat Ale is the airline's latest investment in its food and beverage service. United also offers:

• Tito's Handmade Vodka, an award-winning craft spirit, on flights worldwide and at United Clubs in the continental United States
• Half-bottle premium wines in United Economy on flights between the United States and Europe and on United's p.s. "Premium Service," which operates between New York JFK and Los Angeles and between New York JFK and San Francisco
• Gluten-free menu options on flights between the U.S. and destinations throughout North and Central America

About Goose Island Beer Company
Founded in Chicago in 1988, Goose Island is one of the most successful craft breweries in the Midwest and produces some of the most popular, and award winning, beers in the U.S. Since 1989, Goose Island beers have won a variety of awards at acclaimed beer events including the World Beer Championships, World Beer Cup, European Beer Star, World Expo of Beer and the Great American Beer Festival (GABF).

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,200 flights a day to 369 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the B787-9 as the North American launch customer, and will welcome 27 new E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 26 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines