Rainier sale speculation abounds despite denials. (G. Heileman Brewing Company Inc. may sell Rainier Brewing Co.)

Rainier sale speculation abounds despite denials

Despite the insistence of Rainier Brewing's parent company that it intends to emerge from Chapter 11 intact, industry observers believe all or part of the company may be sold off -- including Rainier.

And at least one industry consultant says he knows of a company that wants to acquire Rainier without purchasing the rest of the foundering G. Heileman Brewing Co. empire.

"There are talks going on right now about Rainier between Heileman and a major company," says Tom Pirko, president of Los Angeles-based Bevmark Inc., an industry management consulting firm.

While he declines to name the interested …