[LOGO OMITTED] [GRAPHIC OMITTED]


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIDWEST GRAIN PRODUCTS, INC. CHANGES NAME TO MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.


ATCHISON, Kan., October 10, 2002 -- Midwest Grain Products, Inc. is now MGP
Ingredients, Inc. The name change took effect today at the close of the
company's annual meeting of stockholders. Beginning tomorrow, the company's
ticker symbol on the NASDAQ National Market will become MGPI, replacing the
existing symbol, MWGP.

"The name change is an outward symbol of the accelerated evolutionary
process our company has been undergoing in recent years," said Ladd Seaberg,
President and CEO. "We have identified our chief strengths - support, ingenuity
and performance - and are using them to help our customers turn their product
ideas into reality."

Discussing underlying reasons for the name change, Seaberg added, "The
markets we serve have expanded in scope. As more of our customers serve an
increasingly sophisticated consumer base, we have strengthened our focus to meet
their needs through the development, production and marketing of several
fascinating lines of specialty proteins and starches. This re-branding really
serves to reinforce our strategic emphasis on being a premier supplier of
specialty ingredient solutions to our customers who produce food, personal care
and pet products."

The company also made a number of branding-related changes, including a new
corporate logo and revised company graphics. A new corporate website address,
www.mgpingredients.com, was also unveiled. Along with the corporate name change,
the company's wholly-owned subsidiary in Pekin, Illinois, Midwest Grain Products
of Illinois, Inc., is now operating as MGP Ingredients of Illinois, Inc.

"Many other actions have also been taken to support our company's
re-branding," said Mike Trautschold, executive vice-president of marketing and
sales. "Our sales force has been realigned and relocated to specific geographic
regions to enable more frequent customer contact, and our product management
team provides specialized product and market assistance to the sales staff and
helps provide product development guidance. Additionally, our research and
development group has been reorganized to provide increased direct customer
support as well as develop ingredients for the future."

There will be no need for holders of Midwest Grain Products, Inc. common
stock certificates to exchange their existing shares as a result of the
company's name change. Existing Midwest Grain Products, Inc. certificates will
continue to be valid.

Midwest Grain Products, Inc. is a pioneer in producing and marketing
value-added proteins and starches derived primarily from wheat. In addition,
Midwest Grain produces natural food-grade alcohol for use in beverage, food and
industrial applications, and fuel grade alcohol, commonly known as ethanol. The
company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, and owns and operates production
facilities in Pekin, Illinois and Kansas City, Kansas.

###