Auburn University Brewing Science and Operations Program, CANarchy, Oskar Blues Craft Fellowship to Increase Diversity in Brewing

Charlotte Tuggle | Communications Editor



Photo of AU Brewing beer handle.

Auburn University Brewing Science and Operations Program brew tap.

Auburn University Brewing Science and Operations Program has teamed up with CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective and Oskar Blues Brewery to introduce a fellowship that will help increase diversity in the brewing industry. For the annual awarded student, the fellowship will also cover the entire cost of the Brewing Science and Operations program.

The CANarchy Brewery Collective and Oskar Blues Brewery Annual Fellowship for Diversity will be awarded each year to a student enrolled in the Auburn University Brewing Science and Operations graduate program through the College of Human Sciences. In order to qualify for the $18,000 annual fellowship, a candidate must demonstrate good academic standing. Preference will be given to candidates with financial need and those having attended a Historically Black College or University, or HBCU.

CANarchy is a collective of breweries dedicated to bringing innovative flavors to craft beer around the world, of which Oskar Blues Brewery is a fundamental member.

“Oskar Blues is thrilled to be partnering with Auburn University and their Brewing Science and Operations program on this annual fellowship,” said Aaron Baker, Senior Marketing Manager for Oskar Blues Brewery. “Diversity enlivens and energizes so many industries in our country and craft brewing should be no exception. We are stoked to follow closely what these students are brewing up and to share a beer with them at the end of their studies.”

Oskar Blues was founded in 2002 by Auburn alumnus Dale Katechis, who first crafted the brewery’s signature Dale’s Pale Ale in a bathtub while an Auburn student. Katechis was instrumental in the creation of Auburn’s Brewing Science and Operations graduate program through the College of Human Sciences.

The Auburn University Graduate Certificate in Brewing Science and Operations program is grounded in biology, chemistry, agronomy and business to prepare candidates for success in the malting, brewing and distilling industries. The distance education program marries traditional teaching with real-world experience. Each student attends at least one residency weekend at an Oskar Blues Brewery location and completes the curriculum eligible to sit for the Institute of Brewing and Distilling’s General Certificate / Diploma of Brewing examinations.

“This is both timely and a much needed initiative, and as always, we are grateful to Dale and his forward-thinking team for their support and commitment to encouraging better science and diversity in the craft brewing industry,” said Auburn Hospitality Management Department Head Martin O’Neill. “In truth, it is just one more example of Oskar Blues living up to the promise that their story is about more than the beer. They are truly dedicated to doing the right thing always, and we are so proud to be partnered on this initiative. We look forward to attracting some truly great students who will carry the Auburn and Oskar Blues names forward in the brewing field.”

The CANarchy Brewery Collective and Oskar Blues Brewery Annual Fellowship for Diversity will become available in the 2021-2022 academic year. For information, contact Martin O’Neill at oneilm1@auburn.edu. To learn more about the Brewing Science and Operations program, visit humsci.auburn.edu/brewing.

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About Oskar Blues Brewery

Founded in 1997 by Dale Katechis in Lyons, Colorado, Oskar Blues Brewery launched the craft-beer-in-a-can apocalypse with their hand-canned flagship brew, Dale’s Pale Ale. Today, Oskar Blues operates breweries in Colorado, North Carolina and Texas, brewing and canning Can-O-Bliss IPA, Dale’s Pale Ale, CANundrum Mix Pack and other craft beer offerings. Oskar Blues beers are available nationwide in the US and in more than 15 countries. Oskar Blues Brewery is a proud member of CANarchy, a disruptive collective of like-minded craft brewers dedicated to bringing high-quality, innovative flavors to drinkers in the name of independent craft beer.