2022 U.S Open College Beer Championship Results
In the sixth year of the US Open College Beer Championship competition, eleven colleges and universities from the United States and Canada participated. Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Michigan took home the Grand National Championship with three gold medals for their Strong Scottish Ale, Dopple/Strong Bock, and Brett beer plus a silver medal for their Berliner-Style Weisse.
Both MiraCosta College and Schoolcraft College came in second, while Eastern Michigan University and Niagara College tied for fourth place.
In the head-to-head German Kölsch part of the competition, the gold medal went to Eastern Michigan University, the silver medal went to Central New Mexico, and the bronze medal went to Schoolcraft College.
2021 Results
In the fifth year of this competition, eleven colleges and universities from the United States and Canada participated. MiraCosta College in California took home the Grand National Championship with four gold medals and one silver. In their first time entering the US Open College Beer Championship, the school took home gold medals for their Hefeweizen, Pale Ale, Spring IPA, and Stout plus a silver medal for their Raspberry Berliner.
The MiraCosta students responsible for the school’s championship performance were Ron Bass, Kyle Breckenridge, Kelly Cardinell, Kellen Darnall, Alberto Espinoza II, Mike Hughes, Ricardo Mendoza, Garrett Perkins, Kaitlin Peters, Elizabeth Robles, Amy Still, Patrick Sullivan, William Vazquez, and Kristoffer Wheeler. Mike Stevenson was the submitting professor.
Both Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Schoolcraft College came in second, while Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Niagara College tied for fourth.
Complete List of Medal-Winning Beers
- MiraCosta College – See above
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) – Gold medal for Birra Rossa (Hodgson, Bartnik, and Chang); Silver medals for Noble Steed Coconut Porter (Comeau, Dell, and Paul) and Pale Ale (Yakabuski, Wideman, and Chang); Bronze medal for Helles Lager (Gibson, Sakurai, Chrinko, and Reid)
- Schoolcraft College – Gold medals for 275 Kolsch (Dan Nieland and Kasey Bunio), College Pale (Mitchell Wayne and Gerry Morin); Bronze medals for SC Baltic Porter (Dan Nieland and Kasey Bunio) and Grand Cru (Dan Nieland and Kasey Bunio).
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Gold medal for Pineapple Peppercorn Berliner Weiss (Kaelyn Aures and Mike Jones); Silver medals for Schwarzbier (Kaelyn Aures and Mike Jones), My Old Friend (Chris Scheibler, Daniel Houvener, Jacob Miller, Tyler Rosey, Joseph Parker, and Theodore Woznicki)
- Niagara College – Gold medal for Holstein and Jersey (Joel Droogh); Silver medal for Heart in Hand (Charles Rempel); and Bronze medals for Ice Kolsch Hops (Andrew Plesko) and Napoleon’s Final Defeat (Ryan Cook)
- Central New Mexico Community College – Gold medal for Chef Ryan’s Favorite Sour (Collective effort of CNM classes of 2018-2020); Silver medal for La Frambeusa Imperial Stout (Cesar Quezada-Hernandez); Bronze medal for Itten Chiraku Pale Ale (BJ Beauchamp)
- Eastern Michigan University – Gold medal for Heavy Scot (Thomas Humbarger, Taylor Heckaman, Wolfgang Ebersole); Bronze medal for Eagles Bock (Audrey Wilkie, Justin Norris, Rebecca Hudson)
- Central Michigan University – Silver medal for The Mega (Taylor Renick); Bronze medals for Orange Kiss (Taylor Renick) and Mystery (Taylor Renick)
- Lourdes University – Silver medal for Basement Imperial (Nathan Von Seggern, Jacalyn Duncan, Richard Kotnik, and Aaron Lenz); Bronze medal for Kristol Cream Ale (Jacalyn Duncan, Nathan Von Seggern, and Richard Kotnik) and Strawberry Clare (Jacalyn Duncan, Nathan Von Seggern, and Richard Kotnik)
- Auburn University – Silver medal for Hibiscus Honey Saison (James Richardson)
- Appalachian State University – Bronze medal for Plum Gig (Dan Parker)
2019 Results
The U.S. Open College Beer Championship is for colleges and universities that teach brewing courses. This competition was held to help determine the best future brewers in North America. Any college or university that offers courses in brewing could enter the U.S. Open. All beers were submitted by one of the school’s brewing professors/instructors. The beers could be brewed on any system on or off campus that is approved by the professors/instructors.
This year’s competition had 5 categories: Belgian, Bavarian, Stout, IPA, and Open. The Open category is where students could enter any style of beer they wanted to brew.
In the fourth year of this competition, fourteen colleges and universities from the United States and Canada participated. Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in British Columbia took home the Grand National Championship as the college that brews the best beers in North America. This Canadian university took home golds for their 50/50 Hefe and their Fruity and the Yeast New England India Pale Ale plus a silver for their Storm Stout.
The KPU students responsible for the school’s championship performance were Joe Mallinson, Kyle Grohs, Danilo Chiga, Felipe Freire, Wes Bain, and Daryl McDonald. Alek Egi was the submitting professor. Schoolcraft College came in second, while Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Auburn University, and Central Michigan tied for third.
Top Four Brewing Schools in the 2019 US Open College Beer Championship
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University – British Columbia
- Schoolcraft College – Michigan
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Michigan, Auburn University – Alabama, and Central Michigan University – Michigan
Category 1 – Belgian
Gold – American Harvest Belgian Pale – Schoolcraft College – Michigan
Silver – Across the Pond Belgian Pale – Auburn University – Alabama
Bronze – Spartan Saison – Michigan State University Michigan
Category 2 – Bavarian
Gold – 50/50 Hefe – Kwantlen Polytechnic University – British Columbia
Silver – Muncher Dunkel – Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Michigan
Bronze – Willis Weizen – Auburn University – Alabama
Category 3 – Stout
Gold – British Imperial Stout – Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Michigan
Silver – Storm Stout – Kwantlen Polytechnic University – British Columbia
Bronze – Smurf Stout – Niagara College – Ontario
Bronze – Peanut Butter Stout – Auburn University – Alabama
Category 4 – IPA
Gold – Dragon Energy Imperial IPA – Central Michigan University – Michigan
Silver – Haggerty IPA – Schoolcraft College – Michigan
Bronze – Cleaver IPA – Brewery at the Culinary Institute of America
Category 5 – Open
Gold – Fruity and the Yeast NE IPA – Kwantlen Polytechnic University – British Columbia
Silver – Citrus Siege NE IPA – Central Michigan University – Michigan
Bronze – Voice of Reason APA – Auburn University – Alabama
2018 Results
The 2018 U.S. Open College Beer Championship was held to help determine the best future brewers in North America. Any college or university that offers courses in brewing could enter the U.S. Open College Beer Championship. All beers were submitted by one of the school’s brewing professors/instructors. The beers could be brewed on any system on or off campus that is approved by the professors/instructors.
In the third year of this competition, 17 Colleges and Universities from the United States and Canada participated. SUNY (The State University of New York) Morrisville in New York took home the Grand National Championship as the college that brews the best beers in North America. This New York University took home a gold for their The Crop Pilsner, a silver medal for their The Arsenal IPA, and a bronze for their Belgian Draft Horse Belgian Tripel.
The SUNY Morrisville students responsible for the school's championship performance were Mary Cosenza and Josh Alley. Micheal Coons was the submitting professor.
This year’s competition had 5 categories: Belgian, Bavarian, Stout, IPA, and Open. The “Open” category is where students could enter any style of beer they wanted to brew. Central New Mexico Community College came in second, while Metropolitan State University of Denver finished third.
Top 3 Brewing Schools in North America
- SUNY Morrisville – New York
- Central New Mexico College – New Mexico
- Metropolitan State University of Denver – Colorado
Category 1 – Belgian
Gold – Gisele – Cincinnati State Technical and Community College – Ohio
Silver – Praise the Sun Witbier – Niagara College – Ontario
Bronze – KPU Wit – Kwantlen Polytechnic University – British Columbia
Category 2 – Bavarian
Gold – The Crop – SUNY Morrisville – New York
Silver – American Harvest Pils – Schoolcraft College – Michigan
Bronze – BC Dunkel – Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Michigan
Bronze – Herr Wilhelm Dunkel III – University of the Sciences – Pennsylvania
Category 3 – Stout
Gold – Milky Way Stout – Metropolitan State University of Denver – Colorado
Silver – 1st Place Stout – Central New Mexico Community College – New Mexico
Bronze – Tucan Sam’s Milk Stout – Michigan State University – Michigan
Bronze – Oat of this World – Colorado State University – Colorado
Category 4 – IPA
Gold – Galazy Smash IPA – Central New Mexico Community College – New Mexico
Silver – The Arsenal – SUNY Morrisville – New York
Bronze – Hop Sauce IPA – Auburn University – Alabama
Bronze – Cosmic Tea Pot – Niagara College – Ontario
Category 5 – Open
Gold – Dark Matter – Appalachian State University – North Carolina
Silver – KPU Dubbel – Kwantlen Polytechnic University – British Columbia
Bronze – Belgian Draft Horse – SUNY Morrisville – New York
Bronze – Dubble Buck – Central Michigan University – Michigan
2017 Results
The U.S. Open College Beer Championship is for Colleges and Universities that teach brewing courses. This competition was held to help determine the best future brewers in North America. Any college or university that offers courses in brewing could enter the U.S. Open. All beers were submitted by one of the school’s brewing professors/instructors. The beers could be brewed on any system on or off campus that is approved by the professors/instructors.
In the second year of this competition, 14 Colleges and Universities from the United States and Canada participated. Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, Michigan took home the Grand National Championship as the best college program in North America. This Michigan college took home a gold for their 9009 Stout, a bronze medal for their Babb’s Tradition Weizen, and another bronze for their Falcon’s Puddin’ Strong Ale.
The Kalamazoo Valley students responsible for the school's championship performance included David Cohoe, Dylon Davis, Joseph Garvin, Christopher Golobish, Jesse Franke-Rose, Dan King, Jake Kirkendall, Amy Pradna – Waugam, James Saddler, Daniel Smith, Colin Thompson, Lea Vanklompenberg, and Scott Vant Hul. Brian Lindberg was one of the instructors and the submitting professor.
This year’s competition had 5 categories: Belgian, Bavarian, Stout, IPA, and Open. The “Open” category is where students could enter any style of beer they wanted to brew. Kwantlen Polytechnic University from Langley, British Columbia came in second, while Central Michigan University finished third.
Top 3 Brewing Schools in North America
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Michigan
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University – British Columbia, Canada
- Central Michigan University – Michigan
Medal Winners
Belgian
Gold – KPU Witbier – Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Silver – #317 Saison – Auburn University
Silver – Sweet Caroline Saison – Cincinnati State Tech & Comm College
Bronze – Spartan White Ale – Michigan State University
Bavarian
Gold – Schoolcraft Pilsner – Schoolcraft College Brewing and Distillation
Silver – KPU Helles Lager – Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Bronze – Babb’s Tradition Weizen – Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Bronze – Never Been Dunkel – Central Michigan University
Stout
Gold – 9009 Stout – Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Silver – Stout – Colorado State University
Bronze – Sweet Eclipse Stout – Auburn University
IPA
Gold – Batch 100 IPA – Central Michigan University
Silver – Hazy McHazeface IPA – Colorado State University
Bronze – Shasta IPA – University of Houston
Bronze – Alternative Facts IPA – Niagara College Teaching Brewery
Open
Gold – I-lambic Pentameter Lambic – Appalachian State University
Silver – Christmas in July Wheatwine – Niagara College Teaching Brewery
Bronze – Falcon’s Puddin’ Strong Ale – Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Bronze – UH Coffee Porter – University of Houston
2016 Results
The U.S. Open College Beer Championship is for Colleges and Universities that teach brewing courses and was held to help determine the best future brewers in North America. Any college or university that offers courses in brewing could enter the U.S. Open. All beers were submitted by one of the school’s brewing professors/instructors. The beers could be brewed on any system on or off campus that is approved by the professors/instructors.
In the first year of competition, Niagara College Teaching Brewery in Welland, Ontario took home the Grand National Championship as the best college program in North America. The Teaching Brewery took home 2 gold, a silver, and a bronze medal in the competition while 7 different colleges took home medals in 5 categories. These categories included IPA, Witbier, German Pilsner, Imperial Stout, and an “Open” category where students could enter any style of beer they wanted.
Top 3 Brewing Schools in North America
- Niagara College Teaching Brewery – Canada
- Central Michigan University
- University of Houston
Medal Winners
IPA
Gold – Shasta IPA – University of Houston
Silver – Victory IPA – Central Michigan University
Bronze – Jack’s Front Yard IPA – Colorado State University
Witbier
Gold – Wittier than thou – Michigan State University
Silver – Belgium Wit – Appalachian State University
Bronze – Abduction Wit – Colorado State University
German Pilsner
Gold – 16 – 73 Pils – Niagara College Teaching Brewery
Silver – Holzfäller – Central Michigan University
Imperial Stout
Gold – Black Stallion – Central Michigan University
Silver – Agron Destroyer – University of Houston
Bronze – Czarina – Niagara College Teaching Brewery
Open
Gold – Caramel Machiato Golden Stout – Niagara University Teaching Brewery
Gold – Adris’ Cream Ale – Auburn University
Silver – Question Mark IPA – Schenectady County Community College
Bronze – Caber Tosser Scottish Ale – Central Michigan University