Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University has been awarded the title of Grand National Champion at the 2024 U.S. Open College Beer Championship. This achievement highlights the talent and dedication of EMU's student brewers.

The U.S. Open College Beer Championship is an annual competition showcasing the talents of college and university brewing programs nationwide. The event provides a platform for students to demonstrate their brewing skills, creativity, and knowledge. It also serves as an opportunity for aspiring brewers to gain recognition and feedback from industry professionals.

"We are proud of our student brewers for their outstanding performance in the U.S. Open College Beer Championship," said Cory Emal, professor and Fermentation Science coordinator. "This achievement is a testament to their hard work, creativity, and dedication to brewing."

The beers entered in the competition were designed as part of an advanced course in EMU’s Fermentation Science program – Fermented Beverage Production (FERM 425).

Competing against eleven schools nationwide, EMU earned three gold medals in the open competition and secured a third-place finish in the head-to-head competition. The gold medal-winning beers include:

- Tonsure (Belgian Tripel)

- Keith's Kitchen Sink (ESB – Extra Special Bitter)

- Second Horseman (English Barleywine)

"When I was creating Keith’s Kitchen Sink, I did not expect it to end up in the competition,” said Keith Camac, a former EMU student. “Initially, it was intended to use leftover grain and propagate yeast for student brews. However, the strategizing and discussing how best to portray a beer to the judges was one of the most memorable parts of the program to me."

Additionally, EMU's American Pale Ale, Soar, placed third in the head-to-head APA competition, winning a bronze medal, with nine of the eleven competing schools entering beers in this category.

The students involved in designing and producing the competition beers were Keith Camac (senior), Aaron Bokas (senior), Alex Nomura (senior), David Wolf (senior), Joey Vasil (sophomore), Zach Sievers (senior), Brian Miller (senior), Griffin Charnetski (senior), Dominick Abate (junior), and Althea Fillman (junior). Their collective efforts have brought great pride to the university.

"My experience preparing for the competition was primarily through the Fermented Beverage Production class this winter,” said Zach Sievers (senior). “The American Pale Ale was my introduction to designing a beer, and I think it’s a great bonus to be recognized nationally for the work everyone in the Fermentation Science program is doing. It's kinda a cherry on top of the program for me."

"Although fermentation can seem intricate, it's accessible to everyone," said Emal. "Anyone interested in flavors and aromas will find these courses enjoyable – so don't be afraid to start. Most students in this competition had little brewing experience but with our guidance and instruction they could produce high-quality beers more quickly than expected."

For more information visit EMU's Fermentation Science webpage.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is Michigan's second oldest public university. It currently serves more than 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees across various disciplines through its Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education.

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