Cheers! U of Montana Brewing Science Program Launching New Beer

A beer made "By Grizzlies, for Grizzlies" will carry a name honoring a 125-year-old campus organization.

"1901" WILL SPRING FORTH ON TAP

Jenny Lavey with UM News Service tells us that a new light, hop-forward beer, commissioned for the University of Montana Alumni Association's 125th anniversary will be on tap at Missoula Draught Works this spring. The beer is named 1901, after the founding date of the Alumni Association.

The beer is a reflection of UM’s brewing science program, as it was made directly by UM students. Draught Works, an alumni-owned brewery in Missoula with distribution across the state, brewed the beer and used Montana-based ingredients at every turn.

LeAnn Layton, UM associate vice president for alumni and community relations, said this is a beer made by Grizzlies, for Grizzlies. According to Vice President Layton, “This beer was an opportunity to truly highlight not only the proud legacy of UM Alumni and the roots of our beginning, but to also celebrate our students, alumni-owned businesses and Montana’s world-class hops and malt.”

IN A CLASS (GLASS?) BY THEMSELVES

UM’s Brewing Science Class, which is part of a six-class certificate in the Department of Chemistry in UM’s College of Science, originally developed the recipe for 1901.  The  class always ends in a craft beer product, with a unique opportunity for students to learn what it takes to get from microbes to pint glasses.

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Students in the class spent the first half of the semester learning chemistry, microbiology and laboratory science behind the fermentation process. Then, the class toured local craft breweries to get a feel for the business side of the local craft beer industry.

While 1901 won’t be canned for distribution, it will be a seasonal, one-time release, only available on tap, in kegs and in the brewery’s tap room.

TASTE TEST, ANYONE?

UM alumni and friends are invited to an event for the release and tasting of 1901 at 4pm Friday, May 1, at Draught Works in Missoula, at 915 Toole Avenue in Missoula.

Registration for the event is encouraged. 

You can also find lots more information about 1901 and the UM Brewing Science Program here.