KPU Brewing Heads to the Great Canadian Beer Festival

For the first time, KPU’s Brewing and Brewery Operations program turned on their taps for the GCBF
Sarah Maryschuk

With 66 breweries and two cideries pouring, the Great Canadian Beer Festival kicked off its 25th year on Sept. 8 2017. Guests had access to over 240 different drinks and a chance to socialize with other beer-loving attendees in Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park.

Only five breweries have been along for the ride since the beginning, and this year KPU Brewing was one of the newcomers. With its fourth class of students beginning the course this fall, the KPU Brewing and Brewery Operations program gives students an opportunity to learn the science of beer and the skills needed to operate and manage a brewery.

KPU Brewing sent instructor Alek Egi and a few students to the festival to show off the beers being produced at the school’s brewery, and to let attendees know about the program in general.

The team took six kegs of beer to the festival, including a dark German lager called a Schwarzbier, a porter, and a Single Malt and Single Hop beer, all made within the brewing facilities on the Langley campus. All three beers poured at the festival are also being submitted for the BC Beer Awards happening later this month, providing the Brewing Program with another opportunity to win acclaim for their product.

“This was a good opportunity for us to get some instant customer feedback, and it was great,” says Egi. “Having a booth at the fest allowed us to showcase not only our beer, but the entire program. It was also great seeing our former and current students that are working for many different breweries showcasing their own products and leaving their unique mark on the industry.”

First year KPU Brewing student Daniel Hoffman helped pour at the KPU booth over the weekend, and noticed that many attendees were surprised to find out that KPU Brewing is more than just a “beer club”.

“In general, most people who were aware of our program were already in the brewing industry, but outside of that circle almost nobody was aware that brewing programs like KPU’s even existed,” says Hoffman.

Deemed the Best B.C. Craft Beer event in 2015 and 2016, the Great Canadian Beer Festival became the longest running beer festival in Canada this year. More than 10,000 people participated in the festival—an increase from the approximate 9,000 who attended previous years’ events.

What’s next for the craft beer industry? Check out the KPU Brewery on Fridays from 1:00-5:00 pm or stay tuned for events during Craft Beer Month in October!