Student Brews Win Two Gold Medals at NYS Craft Beer Competition
Hyde Park, NY – Cheers to The Brewery at the CIA, an educational microbrewery on the New York campus of
The Culinary Institute of America, which has been honored as the New York State Brewery of the Year for
2019. In addition, two student-produced beers earned gold medals competing
against professional breweries in their respective categories at the New York
State Craft Beer Competition.
The competition was held February 23 in Rochester, with the
results announced this past weekend in Albany. The Brewery of the Year award
was based on the fact that The Brewery at the CIA had the highest total scores
in the competition. Gold medals were awarded to the CIA in the Brown Ale and
Wheat Beer categories. The Class Project Br-Br-Br-Brown was best in the Brown
Ale category. The beer—as the name suggests—was a winter-themed ale developed
as a class project by students in the CIA’s Art & Science of
Brewing course. The Brewery’s signature Mise en
Place Wit, brewed every semester by students taking the class, was champion in
the Wheat Beer category.
There are 420 breweries across the state and 813 different
beers were entered in the competition. The competition is hosted by the Raise A Glass Foundation.
“Breweries across New York are crafting wonderful beer. It
is gratifying for our brewery to be named Brewery of the Year and to earn gold
medals based on beers created by our students,” says CIA Head Brewer Hutch Kugeman, who—along with Professor John Fischer—teaches Art &
Science of Brewing. “It’s especially rewarding to see the hard work of our
students recognized by professional brewers and judges as being among the very
best beers in New York State.”
Mise en Place Wit is on tap at the
CIA’s on-campus restaurants in Hyde Park and will soon be available at select
restaurants and bars in the Hudson Valley and New York City owned by CIA
alumni. Visitors to the CIA can also purchase crowlers or growlers to take home from The Egg student dining venue on campus. The Class
Project Br-Br-Br-Brown was a winter seasonal brew that was only available in
late 2018 and early 2019. Each semester, a new class of students creates its
own unique beer, in a different style and appropriate for the season.
“For more than 70 years, our college has rightfully built
its reputation as the world’s foremost culinary educator,” says CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan. “Today, that
education leadership goes far beyond just food preparation and involves all
aspects of hospitality. This honor is testament to the fact that the CIA provides
unparalleled beverage education as well. Congratulations to John Fischer, Hutch Kugeman, and the students involved in preparing these
award-winning beers.”
The Brewery at the CIA is primarily a classroom where
bachelor’s-level students learn about the ingredients, equipment, and
techniques required to produce ales and lagers. It was created in 2015 in
partnership with Brooklyn Brewery, whose brewers and business executives often
serve as guest lecturers. The class helps future food professionals think
differently about beer, elevating its status as a fine beverage on a level with
wine.
Photo Captions and Hi-Res Images:
Top Photo: Professor
John Fischer (left) and Head Brewer Hutch Kugeman of
The Culinary Institute of America teach the Art & Science of Brewing course
at the CIA. Beers produced in that class earned two gold medals at the 2019 New
York State Craft Beer Competition and The Brewery at the CIA on the college’s
Hyde Park, NY campus won the award as the New York State Brewery of the Year. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
View hi-res image >
Photo 2: Two
beers produced by students in the Art & Science of Brewing course at The
Culinary Institute of America—Mise en Place Wit and
Class Project Br-Br-Br-Brown—won gold medals at the 2019 New York State Craft
Beer Competition, leading The Brewery at the CIA on the college’s Hyde Park, NY
campus to be honored as the New York State Brewery of the Year. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
View hi-res image >
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Writer
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
About The Culinary Institute of America:
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The college also offers executive education, certificate programs, and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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