Niagara College will celebrate the creativity and skills of its Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management students at its upcoming event, Project Brew: Brews in Bloom, set to take place at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus on April 11. This student-driven festival marks the culmination of the final term for students in the program, who take on the responsibility of event planning and crafting a diverse range of unique beers for attendees to sample.
The event is not only a celebration of the students’ brewing talents but also an opportunity for them to hone their skills in event coordination, marketing, and public engagement. Victor Oliveira, Catering and Special Events Manager and Professor of Culinary Tourism and Beverage Studies, highlighted the importance of Project Brew, calling it a “fantastic opportunity” for students to blend both brewing and event planning in a real-world setting. “It’s always so gratifying to see them enjoying their own success,” Oliveira added.
Alyssa Janssen, Professor at the School of Wine, Beer, and Spirits, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that students take on essential roles throughout the event, from designing and marketing the festival to brewing the featured beers. “They manage the entire event planning process, along with brewing all the beers showcased at the event,” Janssen said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the class to apply the skills they’ve learned throughout their time at Niagara College.”
For student Charlie Pooley, who moved from Winnipeg to Niagara to pursue his passion for craft beer, the event holds personal significance. Pooley brewed an Extra Special Bitter, “Grandad’s Bitter,” in hopes of impressing his English grandfather, along with a Belgian Blond Ale infused with Rose Hip and Hibiscus Tea, inspired by his experience working at Gather Tasting Room in Crystal Beach. “The most rewarding aspect of Project Brew is simply making a beer and knowing that you feel confident in it,” Pooley explained. He also appreciated the experience of engaging with attendees, sharing insights into his beer creations, and enhancing his public speaking skills.
Pooley credits the program with expanding his knowledge of the craft beer industry, from recipe creation to event promotion. “Essentially, we learned every single aspect of this industry,” he said. “I 100% recommend it to anyone looking into this program.”
The festival will also feature the return of Brewmaster alumnus Tanner Hinrichsen, a 2014 graduate and current Brewmaster at Saulter Street Brewery in Toronto. Hinrichsen collaborated with students on a White IPA, and he expressed his excitement about returning to Niagara College after a decade. “It was great to be involved and come back and brew at NC,” he said. “The current graduating class was great to work with.”
A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Matt Soos Memorial Scholarship, honoring the late Matt Soos, a 2015 Brewmaster graduate. Soos passed away shortly after graduation while working at Railway City Brewing and Muskoka Brewing. The scholarship, established by Soos’s former employers, is awarded annually to a student who brews the best beer. This year’s winner will be announced during the event, alongside the presentation of a People’s Choice Award, based on guest votes.
The event will feature a wide variety of student-crafted beers, including the Jasmine Tea and Orange Wheat Beer “Jo Bloom,” Sweet Stout “Chocolate Salty Stout,” Fruited Sour “Guava the Hutt,” and many others. In addition, spring-inspired dishes and desserts created by students from the College’s School of Culinary Arts will be available for purchase. Floral arrangements from the College’s Teaching Greenhouse will also complement the event’s “Brews in Bloom” theme.
Advance tickets for the event are available for $35 plus tax, which includes five beer tokens, a beer glass, and an exclusive Project Brew giveaway. Additional tokens can be purchased for $2 each. Tickets are limited, and the event is for guests aged 19 and older. Project Brew: Brews in Bloom will take place on April 11 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Student Commons at Niagara College.
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