To further strengthen the College of Human Sciences Brewing Science and Operations program at Auburn University, the taproom and classroom will coexist through a one-of-a-kind collaboration with New Realm Brewing Company.
With the establishment of a graduate certificate in brewing science and operations in 2014, the College of Human Sciences has been at the forefront of the growing multibillion dollar brewing industry. In 2021, the college added a Master of Science in brewing science and operations becoming the first graduate level program offered in the United States at that time.
Now in 2023, another leap forward, with the program joining forces with leaders in the craft brewing industry. The partnership will allow students to work side-by-side with New Realm personnel who are bringing an unmatched passion for the craft.
“A primary goal for the College of Human Sciences in the building of the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center was to give our hospitality management students the best—in terms of cutting-edge educational spaces and instruction,” said Susan Hubbard, dean in the College of Human Sciences. “To have New Realm professionals who are leaders in the industry, come alongside our highly-esteemed credentialed faculty in Human Sciences, there will be no better learning environment for our students and the community will benefit greatly as well.”
A sense of similar shared core values between the College of Human Sciences and New Realm helped bring the two entities together.
“We heard that Auburn was looking for a brewing partner at the University,” said Carey Falcone, New Realm CEO and Co-Founder. “Mitch Steele of our team reached out to Clark Danderson in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn and invited him to our taproom in Atlanta to discuss the opportunity; the conversation quickly escalated to more than a brewing program. During our first meeting at the university with an expanded audience it became very clear that both organizations had similar core values relative to the approach on day-to-day business; this partnership is rooted in authenticity, integrity, quality, and complete transparency.”
Assistant Professor and Director of Brewing Science and Operations Clark Danderson said the partnership will further elevate craft beer education through unique training and internship opportunities.
“We look forward to working with New Realm as it will provide our students with unique opportunities to engage and interact with leaders in the craft brewing industry in our courses and through internship experiences,” said Danderson. “Additionally, we are excited for the opening of the campus brewery. Besides the obvious benefit of having excellent craft beer associated with our program, the brewery serves as a training ground for students to learn the ins and outs of the brewing process and business management and for faculty to collaborate in brewing projects. It also serves as a research facility, especially when coupled with the brewing science laboratory. All of this, taken together, accentuates what sets the Brewing Science and Operations program at Auburn University apart from others—its holistic approach to craft beer education.”
Head of the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management Dr. Martin O’Neill echoed Danderson’s remarks about the excellence New Realm Brewing will bring to Auburn’s campus.
“New Realm is truly exceptional at what they do and its team is fully aligned with our educational mission,” O’Neill said. “When we say Auburn’s Brewing Science program is about to enter a new realm of brewing education, it’s no exaggeration. I am delighted, along with the entire hospitality management faculty, to see what New Realm’s wealth of brewing experience will bring to the program.”
New Realm is an American craft brewery and distillery started in 2016 by co-founders Carey Falcone, Bob Powers, and Mitch Steele. The company currently operates three locations in Atlanta, Charleston and Virginia Beach with the flagship brewery and restaurant located in Atlanta. New Realm’s core principles are quality, creativity, authenticity, and striving for perfection, all with a customer-centric community focused commitment and approach.
“We are excited to be a part of Auburn University and to be involved with the next generation of brewers,” said Falcone. “This partnership allows us to be directly involved with the students at multiple levels of Auburn’s College of Human Sciences Brewing Science and Operations Program. This collaboration is unique as we have several opportunities to partner with the university in the areas of culinary, brewing and distilling - this is a first of its kind.”
In addition to brewing high quality craft beer, New Realm operates production and innovation breweries/distilleries, each with on-site scratch kitchens serving globally inspired, locally sourced fare, in multiple Southeastern U.S. cities.
New Realm’s newest location on the Plains is expected to open mid-summer in the new state of the art Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, home to the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management in the College of Human Sciences.
“As a craft brewer we are passionate about the art of brewing and the science behind it, this allows us the opportunity to brew and innovate side-by-side with the students,” said Mitch Steele, New Realm Brewmaster and Co-Founder. “There is an art and science to the brewing process and my team and I push the boundaries of what is possible daily. I am looking forward to sharing my experience with the students and also learning with them as a part of this unique program.”
New Realm is a Top 100 Craft brewer in the US (2023); awards include a gold medal in the North American Brewer Awards (2023), multiple Great American Beer Fest gold medals (2022), Brewbound’s “Rising Star” Brewery, Ratebeer’s “Best New Brewer in Georgia,” Ratebeer’s 11th “Best New Brewer in the World,” and Virginia Craft Beer Cup’s gold medals (2019, 2021, 2023) and “Best in Show” for Euphonia Pilsner (2019).
For more information on New Realm Brewing, visit newrealmbrewing.com. For more information on Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences Brewing Science and Operations, visit humsci.auburn.edu/aubrewing.
