Canada, Ont.: Canada’s first and only teaching brewery opens at Niagara College

Niagara College officially opened its Teaching Brewery on April, 13 marking a significant leap forward for beer education in Canada.

As part of Niagara College's Canadian Food and Wine Institute, the Niagara College Teaching Brewery, located at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, is Canada’s first and only teaching brewery. The Brewery serves as a practical learning environment for students in Niagara College's Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program.

"We're very proud to open Canada's first and only teaching brewery," said Jon Ogryzlo, Dean of Niagara College's Canadian Food and Wine Institute. "This unique facility will serve as a living laboratory for students in our Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program, and provide valuable hands-on experience in everything from brewing to marketing and sales."

Driven by the demand for skilled workers in Canada's burgeoning craft brewing industry, the brewery answers the need for a training system that addresses all aspects of brewery education to fill industry-specific positions with qualified people who have practical experience and specialist knowledge in beer production, brewery management and product sales/marketing.

"Ontario Craft Brewers is proud to be a partner and supporter of Niagara College's ground-breaking new brewing program," said Gary McMullen, President of Muskoka Cottage Brewery and Chair of Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB). "Not only will it add to our province?s skilled labour force, it will bring our industry closer to its goal of becoming a centre of excellence for craft brewing in Ontario."

During the opening ceremonies, Black Oak Brewing Company Brewmaster Adrian Popowycz, a member of the OCB executive and chair of NC's Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program advisory committee, announced two C$500 entrance scholarships for the program.

15 April, 2011