CCask Global Canning Solutions has donated one of its canning systems to the Beer Industry Program at Metropolitan State University of Denver
The Cask’s Micro-Automated Canning Systems (mACS) will serve to educate the program’s students on the packaging, environmental, and freshness-keeping benefits of canned craft beer.
Cask founder Peter Love, explained: “The MSU Denver Beer Industry Program helps aspiring members of the brewing trade learn about the best practices a brewery can employ. It was important to us that these women and men get firsthand experience with the best package there is for a delicious craft beer: the aluminium can.”
The MSU Denver brewing program (a branch of the school’s innovative School of Hospitality, Events and Tourism) offers several degree and non-degree options. It blends the art and science of brewing beer with the hospitality knowledge and operational skills sought by the beer and brewing industries.
“The Cask canning line will be a true difference maker for both MSU Denver and the beer industry as a whole,” added Scott Kerkmans, instructor and director of MSU Denver’s Beer Industry Program.
“Our students are the next generation of brewery leaders, and now they can learn about micro-canning on equipment ideally suited for small and medium-sized breweries. They can apply that knowledge while interning during school and working after graduation.”
Love said: “When we toured the school’s beer lab, we were blown away by the caliber of the testing equipment and the sophistication of the staff.
“We love that MSU Denver students will get quality control and testing experience way beyond what they could get in a typical craft brewery, and our micro-canning gear and cans will be put through that same rigorous testing and scrutiny.”
Cask’s mACS donation will also provide funding for the beer program. Tivoli Brewing
Company, located in the school’s Tivoli Student Union, is adding cans to its packaging lineup and will host the mACS in its brewery.
Tivoli will pay the university for use of the machine (at market rate) as if employing a mobile canning service. Students will receive training from Tivoli Brewing staff on the canning operation and get firsthand experience with brewing, packaging, and distribution.
“We’re delighted to get some of our beer into cans and help take the Cask and MSU Denver partnership to the next level,” said Ken Hehir, Tivoli Brewing Co. president and CEO. “While the canning line could have gone in a classroom or lab, instead it will be in a fully operational craft brewery. So it’ll provide revenue to the beer program and real-world brewery experience to students.”
MSU’s Beer Industry Program includes courses in a range of topics — chemistry, biology, man-agement, hospitality, marketing and others — that are valuable in the beer trade. Students can earn Bachelor of Science degrees with a major in Brewery Operations or Craft Brewing and Pub Operations, or a minor or certificate in Brewery Operations.
Situated in downtown Denver on the Auraria Campus, the University’s central location within Colorado and the nation offers students access to a considerable number of experiential learning opportunities. Students engage with breweries, restaurants, distributors and hotels located within a few miles of the campus.