 Junior food systems management major Karla H. Weis weighs a package of hops at the location for the Ivory Tower Brewery located in the basement of the Broyhill Inn. Photo by Aaron Trovato | The Appalachian Appalachian State University's Board of Trustees unanimously voted in favor of pursuing efforts to establish a university-run brewery and academic program in fermentation science for students.
Ivory Tower Brewery is a non-profit brewery located in the lower level of the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center. This brewery will act as a hands-on learning opportunity for Appalachian students.
"These days, anything related to food sciences can get you a job," said Seth Cohen, director of the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian. "The North Carolina biotechnology industry has a number of job openings they cannot fill."
The implementation of the program will allow students to earn a degree in fermentation science or a chemistry degree with a concentration in fermentation. Students will be encouraged to hold internships in order to obtain jobs at wineries, vineyards, distilleries, or breweries in the future.
"Beer is a huge growth industry right now," said Brett Taubman, an assistant professor in chemistry and one of the founders of the Ivory Tower Brewery. "This would be an important draw for the region."
Steps are already in the works for the new degree. The 4000-level course, "The Science of Brewing," will be available to students in Spring 2011. Students must meet the prerequisites and be 21 or older to take the course.
The four-year program will build off the University of California at Davis's successful Master Brewing Program.
The degree explores grain handling, malting, fermenting, sterilizing, and the theory and practice of carbonization in relation to beer quality.
Not only is the brewery a tourism draw, but also acts as a draw to prospective students. "Having this degree will certainly draw the interest of students," Taubman said. "We will be the first school in North Carolina with a fermentation science degree."
After gaining the board's approval, the next step for the advisory board is to obtain the proper state and federal permits. The board may eventually decide to supply student-brewed beer to be served at various local establishments.
"There is such great science in brewing," Taubman said. "I wanted to use it as an academic tool, and it's kind of grown from there."
Story: ELIZABETH RABE, Intern News Reporter
Photo: AARON TROVATO, Photographer
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