Brew U at CIA

A Beer, Food, and Education Festival

Saturday, April 19 | 2–5 p.m. (VIP 1–5 p.m.)

Join us for the annual Brew U festival on Saturday, April 19, at The Egg in the Student Commons at CIA’s Hyde Park, NY campus. Brew U is an exciting beer festival that will combine sampling from top breweries—including CIA’s brewery—with incredible food from CIA and fun, educational seminars for beer and culinary enthusiasts.

Come tour the brewery, learn about the college’s Art and Science of Brewing course, and meet CIA Head Brewer Hutch Kugeman and other New York State brewers and beer experts, all while sampling beers and ciders. You’ll also enjoy dishes perfectly paired with beer and prepared by CIA chefs.

Ticket Information

Admission to Brew U includes all beer and food during the event, access to all tours and educational seminars, and a commemorative tasting glass. VIP ticket holders will be admitted at 1 p.m. prior to general admission to get a jump on food and beer tastings as well as exclusive bites and beers.

Early Bird Pricing February 3–March 17

VIP Admission: $100 (1–5 p.m.)
General Admission: $65 (2–5 p.m.)
Designated Driver: $25

Regular Pricing March 18

VIP Admission: $120 (1–5 p.m.)
General Admission: $85 (2–5 p.m.)
Designated Driver: $30
CIA Students: $35 (CIA student ID required at check-in)

Purchase Tickets

All tickets are non-refundable. All guests must be at least 21 years of age.

“We are thrilled to be bringing together this special selection of breweries to one event on campus. I really want to offer attendees a taste of beers that are a bit harder to find and have really interesting and unique flavors.”—Hutch Kugeman

Participating Breweries

Educational Seminars

New York Malt: The Soul of Beer

Host: Dennis and Jeanette Nesel
Time: 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Join Dennis and Jeanette Nesel co-owners of Hudson Valley Malt to explore the process of making craft malt with New York grown barley. Learn more about the ingredient that makes up the backbone of local craft beer and taste some examples of beer brewed with barley malted here in the Hudson Valley.

mage of Dennis and Jeanette Nesel standing in front of a wood wall.

Does This Taste Off to You? A Brewing Science and Sensory Workshop

Host: Aron Wiegand
Time: 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Beer is a biochemical flavor party in a glass, but the joy of hosting it is tempered by the risk of facing uninvited guests, overstayed welcomes, and sizable cleanups. To help you avoid this fate, brewing scientist Aron Wiegand will provide insight into the most common microbiological and chemical gatecrashers threatening your brew. While learning about the natural origins of key off-flavors and their entry points in production, participants will hone their palates and practice detecting off-flavors spiked into provided sensory samples. The most enrichment and fun you can have drinking bad beer!

If Beer Was a Four-Course Meal with Anne Becerra

Host: Anne Becerra
Time: 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The best multi-coursed meals have a natural progression that evolves not just in flavor but intensity, and this unique beer tasting will do the same. From tangy and mouthwatering, to herbaceous and aromatic, to rich and warming—you’ll enjoy multiple beer styles that will feel like you embarked on a full culinary journey.

Beer and Cheese Pairing Workshop

Host: John Fischer ’88
Time: 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Professor John Fischer brings together his expertise in choosing and pairing cheese and beers. He will cover types of cheeses that are good for pairing, flavor profiles, and tasting notes, as well as how to plan the order of your beer and cheese pairing.

John Fischer is the author of various books, including Cheese Identification, Classification, and Utilization; At Your Service; and Bistros and Brasseries. Also a CIA graduate, he has held managerial positions at renowned New York City restaurants such as Rainbow!, Fresco by Scotto, Manhattan Ocean Club, Campagna, Hudson River Club, and Mandarin.

Beer 101: The Art and Science of Brewing

Host: CIA Students
Time: TBA
Students will take Brew U attendees through CIA’s brewery to learn about the process of making beer—turning a hop into brew. Starting with the type of hop, they’ll explain methods that influence the bitterness, flavor, and aroma of the beer.

CIA students in their brewing class at CIA’s brewery in The Egg.

Beer Tiramisu

Host: Angelina Violante ’21
Time: 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Chef Angelina will bring together two of our favorite treats—beer and tiramisu—in this sweet demo taking place in our brand-new, state-of-the-art bake shop. Join her to learn how to make a beer-forward tiramisu, from making ladyfingers and the mascarpone cream, to building this classic dessert.

Angelina Violante is a CIA graduate, currently working at her alma mater as a pastry chef for CIA Catering. Angelina manages the production of pastries and desserts needed for weddings, conferences, and galas at CIA.