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Niagara College Teaching Brewery

Welcome to Niagara College Teaching Brewery, the centre for beer education in the Niagara Peninsula and the only fully licensed teaching brewery in Canada. Our retail store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m seven days a week!

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Brewery Grand Opening


Niagara College Officially Opens Canada's First and Only Teaching Brewery

Niagara College officially opened its Teaching Brewery today marking a significant leap forward for beer education in Canada.

As part of Niagara College's Canadian Food and Wine Institute, the Niagara College Teaching Brewery, located at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, is Canada’s first and only teaching brewery. The Brewery serves as a practical learning environment for students in Niagara College's Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program.

"We're very proud to open Canada's first and only teaching brewery," said Jon Ogryzlo, Dean of Niagara College's Canadian Food and Wine Institute. "This unique facility will serve as a living laboratory for students in our Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program, and provide valuable hands-on experience in everything from brewing to marketing and sales."

Driven by the demand for skilled workers in Canada's burgeoning craft brewing industry, the brewery answers the need for a training system that addresses all aspects of brewery education to fill industry-specific positions with qualified people who have practical experience and specialist knowledge in beer production, brewery management and product sales/marketing.

"Ontario Craft Brewers is proud to be a partner and supporter of Niagara College's ground-breaking new brewing program," said Gary McMullen, President of Muskoka Cottage Brewery and Chair of Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB). "Not only will it add to our province’s skilled labour force, it will bring our industry closer to its goal of becoming a centre of excellence for craft brewing in Ontario."

During the opening ceremonies, Black Oak Brewing Company Brewmaster Adrian Popowycz, a member of the OCB executive and chair of NC's Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program advisory committee, announced two $500 entrance scholarships for the program.

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Hopping up support for Ontario craft beer

A celebration of craft beer is on tap at the Niagara College Teaching Brewery.

The teaching brewery is opening its doors to the public for a beer education event, The Right Formula, daily until June 25 from 2-4 p.m. Visitors can savour complimentary samples of First Draft – Niagara College Teaching Brewery’s brand of student-made beer available in lager and ale, along with select specialty and seasonal brews.

The event is part of Ontario Craft Beer Week, which runs from June 19-25.

“Ontario Craft Brewery Week is significant for us, because it’s the Ontario’s craft brewing industry, and its need for skilled, knowledgeable graduates, that led to the development of our program and our teaching brewery,” said Jon Ogryzlo, Dean of Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute. “Our events next week offer a great opportunity for people to learn more about our teaching brewery, and sample the excellent beers being produced by our students.”


Niagara College launched its festivities on June 19 – Father’s Day – by hosting a Cheers to Dads event, offering fathers complimentary beer tastings and a First Draft beer opener.

Located at the college’s Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, the Niagara College Teaching Brewery is the first and only fully-licensed teaching brewery in Canada. The 1,500-square-foot facility, which opened in April 2011, serves as a living laboratory for students of the college’s Brewmaster and Brewery Management program. Products are available for purchase at the brewery’s on-campus retail store. Visit www.firstdraft.ca for more information.

Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit www.NiagaraCollege.ca.