The Metropolitan State University of Denver has begun construction of the Charlie Papazian Brewing Education Lab, named in honor of the retired founder of the American Homebrewers Association, the Great American Beer Festival and the Brewers Association.
“I’ve been a teacher and educator my entire adult life, from teaching preschool through 4th grade and showing adults how to homebrew to launching the American Homebrewers Association and the Brewers Association,” said Papazian. The new lab will commemorate “the transformational role that home brewers, small brewers and beer enthusiasts have played in making the world a better place for the enjoyment of beer.”
“To fund the approximately $1 million project, MSU Denver raised more than $425,000 (of a $500,000 fundraising goal) from nearly 20 industry leaders who wanted to pay tribute to Papazian’s massive contributions as the “Johnny Appleseed” of homebrewing and craft beer. But you can contribute as well HERE.
Built into a space on the ground floor of MSU Denver’s Hospitality Learning Center, the new facility will feature a 3.5 barrel commercial brewing system and will provide real-world experience to students of MSU Denver’s Brewery Operations Program, which already boasts a number of other hands-on learning facilities and industry partnerships.
“Now students will learn to brew on a true commercial-scale brewery, so they will be much better prepared for a brewery job.” said Bernardo Alatorre, lecturer and interim director of the Brewery Operations Program.
Construction on the nearly 1,500 square-foot lab began this summer and is scheduled for completion in early 2023.
MSU Denver’s Brewery Operations Program, part of the University’s School of Hospitality blends the art and science of brewing beer with the hospitality knowledge and operational skills sought by the beer and brewing industries.
Since its founding in 2015 MSU’s brewery program has served hundreds of students with courses on brewing sciences, brewery operations, sales and marketing to support the employment needs of Colorado’s expansive beer industry.
“The original mission of those two organizations was educational, to make beer knowledge accessible to all, “Papazian added. “So the lab continues the flow of my life’s work, and it’s very exciting for me.”
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