Contact: Tonia Johnson, Discovery Center Marketing Specialist
715-232-2460
johnsonton@uwstout.edu
Menomonie, Wis. — University of Wisconsin-Stout will host the third annual Midwest Craft Brewers Conference on Monday, July 31, and Tuesday, Aug. 1.
Dave Engbers, president of Founders Brewing Co., will present “The Founders Story” as closing keynote on Tuesday afternoon. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., Founders is highly recognized for its beer that “pushes the limits” including All Day IPA, Breakfast Stout, KBS (Kentucky Bourbon Stout), Centennial IPA and Harvest Ale.
Founded in 1997 by Engbers and Mike Stevens, the company has become one of the top-ranked breweries in the world and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Other presenters at the conference represent August Schell Brewing, Boulevard Brewing, Half Acre Beer Co., MKE Brewing, Peace Tree Brewing, Dangerous Man Brewing, A Perfect Pint, Barley John’s Brewing, Central Waters Brewing, 45th Parallel Distillery, Modicum Brewing and businesses that serve and supply the craft beer industry.
The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board; Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; and UW-Extension also will share business insight and expertise.
“We’ve brought together the masters of brewing, the elite brewers who have exceptional knowledge of the industry and partnerships that are so important to creating new possibilities, collaborations and out-of-the-box thinking,” said conference organizer Anna McCabe, of UW-Stout’s Professional Education Programs and Services. “It’s our goal to support and advance Midwest brewing, to help Midwest brewers network and help make these partnerships happen.”
To that end, conference sessions will cover brewery/distillery partnerships, exporting, flavorings, microbiology, hop health, software systems, contaminants, quality control, financing, regulations, trademark law and other topics.
Sponsored by Amoretti and ChemStation of Wisconsin, the event also features a bacon brew competition and socials hosted by Oaklawn Inn, Lucette Brewing and Real Deal Brewing/Raw Deal, all in Menomonie.
A preconference workshop for start-up breweries and distilleries is new this year along with expanded brewery tours on two routes. The Wisconsin route will offer tours of Oliphant Brewing in Somerset, Barley John’s Brewing in New Richmond and 45th Parallel Distillery, also in New Richmond. The Minnesota route will provide behind-the-scenes looks at the brewing processes of Bad Weather Brewery and Flat Earth Brewing in St. Paul and Bent Brewstillery in Roseville.
To learn more and register for the conference, at UW-Stout’s Memorial Student Center, visit www.uwstout.edu/profed/mcbc or contact McCabe, 715-232-2793 or mccabea@uwstout.edu.
UW-Stout Professional Education Programs and Services, a division of the Discovery Center, supports the mission of the university by providing adult learners with access to university education and resources for the enrichment of their lives, both personally and professionally. The organization provides programs relevant to the changing needs of business, industry, educators and the greater community. Each year, participants in the offered programs advance their careers, enrich their lives and have a positive impact on others.
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