Brewpubs popping up on college campuses

Don’t ask how much hops go for in a campus bookstore.

Beer and college have long been inseparable friends, but their friendship is often unproductive. Several schools are trying to change that though. We all know of the various brewing education courses and schools around the country, but according to our friends at Food Management, a few universities are looking to take that next step and launch true on-campus brewpubs — run by students, consumed by students.

We know the familiar names in the brewing education scene, like The University of California-Davis and Oregon State University, that have great class offerings, but what about the students that want a sample of this great education without having to do all of that, you know, brewing? Enter California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and Colorado State University.

The Cal Poly Pomona Foundation is opening Innovation Brew Works in the Center for Training, Technology and Innovation on the campus of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. This will essentially be a brewpub staffed by hospitality and agriculture students under the direction of veteran area brewer Owen Williams.

From Food Management:

“The students will engage in all aspects of brewing, from the growing of hops and barley to bottling the product,” says Aaron Neilson, director of dining for Cal Poly Pomona Foundation. Beer production is scheduled to begin in August, with the brews added to the onsite restaurant’s menu shortly afterwards.

But not to be outdone, Colorado State University:

Colorado State University’s $65 million renovation of its Lory Student Center, scheduled to open this fall, will include a brewery intended primarily to be academic, but which may also sell its products at Lory’s Ramskeller campus pub.

“That decision is up in the air right now,” says Doni Luckutt, marketing director for the Lory Center. “The main intention is to train highly skilled people in the fermentation process.”

Be sure to read the full piece from Food Management, which includes a tidbit about the increased appetite for craft beer among the college crowd. And after that, come right back here and comb through our massive Brewing Education feature that breaks down each of the major programs across the country.