UConn Brewing Innovation, in partnership with Urban Lodge Brewing Company, celebrated the launch of two new student-crafted beers: Campfire S’torrs, a s’mores stout, and Bleed Blue Banananut Brew, a peanut butter and banana stout. The release event marked not only the culmination of months of hard work from students in the Brew Crew program, but also a powerful reminder of why experiential learning has become essential in modern higher education.
UConn Brewing Innovation is an initiative aimed at creating an ecosystem that connects the craft beer industry to transformative experiences for students. The initiative serves as a multidisciplinary hub, in collaboration with the College of Engineering, College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, and the School of Business.
The Brew Crew, puts this mission into motion by immersing students directly in the brewing industry. Each semester, students work to design, brew, brand, package, and launch a commercial-ready beer in partnership with a local Brewery.
“Experiential learning isn’t just part of the future of higher education, it is the future,” said Jennifer Mathieu, Executive Director of UConn’s Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “This program shows exactly what can happen when students are given the space to collaborate, problem-solve, and bring real products to life alongside industry professionals.” Students felt that impact firsthand. Julia Steiner, a Brew Crew student, shared: “Being part of Brew Crew this semester was incredible. My team launched ‘Campfire S’torrs’ and got to see the entire process from idea to release. I’m excited to take these experiences into my future.”
Ending the semester with a successful launch, students walked away with not just a brew to call their own, but experiences that will shape their futures. The celebration wraps up this semester’s launch…but the countdown to the next Brew Crew creation has already begun.
