Brooklyn Brewery to open brewery for Culinary Institute of America

Looks like The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is throwing its hat into the ring of growing first-rate brewing education options across the country. Back in February, Brooklyn Brewery joined with CIA to develop a small brewery on the college’s Hyde Park, N.Y. campus. The Brooklyn Brewery at the CIA is expected to open to the public in summer 2015.

What do you think? Does this partnership with Brooklyn Brewery and the Culinary Institute sound like a winner?

The operations at the brewery will be integrated into the curriculum of the college’s degree programs. Juniors and seniors pursuing a concentration in Advanced Wine, Beverage and Hospitality will staff the brewery and learn about fermentation and brewing techniques as well as the business aspects of running a small food and beverage operation. Brooklyn Brewery’s famed Brewmaster Garrett Oliver and his team will visit the Hyde Park campus on a regular basis and assist CIA faculty in developing curriculum and recipes.

“This partnership is forward thinking both in terms of culinary education and college dining,” said Waldy Malouf, senior director of special projects for the CIA. “In addition to being a craft brewery for campus visitors and students 21 and older, it will serve as a research and development classroom to create and test new beer flavors.”

The CIA will initially offer its own lager and pilsner, along with seasonal brews, on tap at the brewery and at the four CIA restaurants on campus.

“We have great respect for The Culinary Institute of America, its leaders, and its illustrious alumni,” said Brooklyn Brewery Co-founder and Chairman Steve Hindy. “Smart and creative CIA-trained chefs and foodservice executives are all over the world today. Brooklyn Brewery has worked with the college for more than two decades on beer and food promotions, and special dinners. We are pleased to be able to make this gift to the CIA campus, and look forward to helping further develop beer education at Hyde Park.”

The Brooklyn Brewery at the CIA will be located in the college’s new student union and dining facility currently under construction. It will house a seven-barrel brewing system within a glass-walled environment meant to evoke an old Brooklyn warehouse.