This International Beer Day, two students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) brew lab will be busy working on new recipes.
International Beer Day is a time to celebrate different types of beer and breweries around the world. The celebration is on the first Friday of August, which happens to fall on August 1st this year.
“I’ve brewed a few different styles so far but my favourite style is wheat beer. I collaborated with two Korean graduates recently and we brewed Belgian wheat beer that requires extra steps which I enjoy,” says Maria Yun, KPU brewing student.
Yun is one of two students keeping the brewery running during the summer.
“Working here in the summer, I can do the whole process. I can do the brewing, packaging and even the beer sales,” says Yun.
Jacob Black shares similar sentiments as Yun. According to Black, he chose to work in the brewery over the summer for the experience.
“After working here this summer, I definitely feel more prepared for when I have to go work at an industry brewery,” says Black.
Experience isn’t the only thing they’re getting while working in the brewery over the summer. Yun says she’s getting to taste more flavours which has helped her find a new favourite beer.
“My favourite beer now is hazy IPA but I just don’t love brewing it because making it hazy takes a long time,” says Yun.
The KPU Brewing and Brewery Operations program is a two-year diploma program in which students learn the science, production, and business of brewing beer. The program combines a solid foundation in brewing sciences, including microbiology and chemistry, with hands-on practical learning in KPU’s award-winning brewery. New part-time learning options are also now available.