Durham College (DC) and its Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) is pleased to announce the official opening of the Centre for Craft Brewing Innovation (CCBI) at the Whitby campus.

Consisting of a pilot brew line and brew lab, which were purchased using a $150,000 Applied Research Tools and Instruments grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the CCBI offers craft brewers access to expertise and state-of-the-art technology, as well as micro-analytical and research services.

The announcement, which took place during a special launch event on March 27, comes in the midst of Ontario’s continued craft brewing industry boom. According to the Ontario Craft Brewers February 2018 fact sheet, this segment was one of the fastest growing in the LCBO, seeing 20 to 30 per cent growth year-over-year and the total economic impact of small breweries is estimated to be roughly $1.4 billion.

“We are very excited about what the centre offers craft brewers,” said Chris Gillis, manager, Applied Research Business Development, ORSIE. “There is so much potential to further innovate by refining brewing methods and recipes, as well as increasing technical knowledge and skills within the industry.”

Under the direction of an experienced microbiologist and brewmaster, the CCBI can help craft brewers address challenges they may be facing, including experimenting with new recipes and flavour profiles, propagating and maintaining yeast strains and conducting scientific analyses to ensure the analytical and microbiological integrity of their beer. This ultimately leads to the creation of a better product within this growing industry.

 In addition to supporting craft brewers, the CCBI also allows students to gain valuable experience by working on research projects with brewers, challenging them to apply what they are learning in class to address real industry problems.

To learn more about the CCBI’s specific offerings please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/ccbi.