Collaboration

Not too long ago, I was given an amazing opportunity.  I was invited to be one of four students representing the Olds College Brewmaster Program on a collaboration project.  You see, this is the 10th anniversary of Calgary Beerfest and they thought it would be a great idea to have a collaboration beer for their upcoming event.  Big Rock Brewery and Tool Shed Brewing were on board and so were the folks from Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters and the Good Old Fridge.  Then, in an incredible act of kindness, they all decided to direct the proceeds to a scholarship for the students of the new brewmaster program at Olds College.
Lucky for me, it didn't stop there.  As students of the program, we were invited to Calgary to attend the collaboration meeting where the project was planned and laid out.  We got to shake hands with the brewmasters and everyone involved.  Sitting around that table listening to the dedicated and knowledgeable professionals was incredibly inspiring.  I could see that the excitement and joy was still present after years of experience in the industry.  The sense of co-operation, passion, and attention to detail was incredible and helped reaffirm that I was on my proper path with this career choice.  In the end it was determined that we were going to brew a coffee stout, but one that was made with as much care for the coffee as for the beer.  If you could have heard this cast of characters talking about their individual areas of expertise, you would realize that it couldn't be any other way.  And that it was gong to be great.  When the discussion turned to packaging the product, I spoke up and suggested that since we were studying this very subject in school, maybe the students could help contribute in this area.  This was enthusiastically received and in the end it was decided that Olds College students would submit suggestions for the beer's name, the creative copy for the label, and the art direction that would be executed by the professional artists for the breweries.

Students getting hands-on

We were all added to the communications circle and got to see the progress of the project and the steps that were required for such an undertaking.  I was incredibly honored when my ideas were selected for the packaging of the product and so Night Owl coffee stout was good to go.  Next came the brew day.  Once again we all gathered at the Big Rock Brewery and got to work.  There was a tangible energy about the place as we got underway.  In between steps, we had a personal tour of the brewery from the brewmaster, Paul, and got to talk to the employees as they carried out their work day.
Thankfully, it was a long brew day which gave me ample opportunity to talk to everyone and learn more than a few new things.  We were also able to be hands-on; we pitched yeast into the fermentor and even got to add the hops- still exciting no matter how many times I've done it.

Does your job make you smile like this?

Now it is up to the yeast.  Once it's done fermenting and goes through packaging you will be able to get your mitts on the fruit of our labour at the official launch in Phil & Sebastian's Mission location on April 22nd.  After that, well, I hope you get to enjoy Night Owl at Calgary Beerfest on May 2nd and 3rd.  I just might see you there so we can raise a glass to thank all of the amazing people who have made this collaboration an unforgettable and enjoyable experience.

Until then, Cheers!