VANCOUVER, Canada – May 7, 2007 – The reigning Grey Cup champion BC Lions Football Club, BC Place and British Columbia’s fastest growing brewery, Russell Brewing Company announced a landmark three-year partnership agreement today making the local brewery the Official Beer of the BC Lions and BC Place.

Beginning with the club’s pre-season home game on Friday, June 15th versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders, BC Place will be carrying a variety of Russell products including the Russell Extra Special Lager and Russell Pale Ale.

“We are extremely proud to support the BC Lions,” said Andrew Harris, president of Russell Brewing Company. “BC Place, home of the BC Lions, will be the first CFL stadium in the country to depart from a mainstream brand and align itself with a local specialty brewery. The BC Lions are an incredible team with devoted fans and it is an absolute privilege to support them”.

“I am very pleased to have Russell Brewing Company join our roster of partners,” said Lions’ president and CEO, Bob Ackles. “This relationship further demonstrates our commitment to exceptional, locally owned companies while providing outstanding quality in every aspect of the football fan’s experience at BC Lions home games.”

“We’re always looking at innovative ways to increase customer satisfaction at BC Place,” says Graham Ramsay, Director of Business Development for BC Place. “This three-year deal is good news for the local economy and for our fans who are looking for quality products to round out a great experience here in the dome for all our events.”

More on Russell Brewing Company:
Russell Brewing Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Russell Breweries Inc. (TSX.V:RB). It produces premium draught beer for fine pubs and eateries throughout British Columbia. Using all natural ingredients and traditional beer-making techniques, Russell beer is brewed for people who love beer. Products include: Russell Cream Ale, Russell Pale Ale, Russell Honey Blonde Ale, Russell Extra Special Lager plus the two seasonal brews, Russell Lemon Ale and Russell Porter.

More on BC Lions: For more than 50 years, the BC Lions have been a football power and sporting tradition in British Columbia. As a member club of the Canadian Football League since 1954, the Lions are dedicated to providing exemplary service to our customers, community partners, employees, fans, season ticket holders, sponsors, players and the media. Clinching the 2006 West Championship in front of more than 50,000 orange-clad fans at BC Place, the Lions went on to win the Grey Cup, the fifth in club history. The BC Lions will begin defending their title as champions in June, 2007. For more information, visit bclions.com or contact Jamie Cartmell, Communications, BC Lions Football Club at (604) 930-5469 or via email at jcartmell@bclions.com.

More on BC Place: An icon on the Vancouver landscape, BC Place is where big dreams, inspirations and celebrations are shared. The future host to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the Opening Ceremonies for the Paralympic Games, BC Place has a rich history of bringing the Province's events and fans together to Live Big Dreams. Hosting over 200 event days per year, the 60,000 seat multi-use facility is a division of PavCo (BC Pavilion Corporation), a Crown Corporation of the Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts, Hon. Stan Hagen, Minister. For more information on BC Place, contact Jenny Hobler at jhobler@bcpavco.com.