Brewmaster professor Jon Downing and students from the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program answered a call for breweries around the world to brew Resist – Ukrainian Anti Imperial Stout in early March. Developed by displaced Ukrainian brewers, the Resist recipe was shared by Drinkers for Ukraine, an international effort to raise funds for Ukraine, with hopes that brewers worldwide will brew it in solidarity with the beer community in Ukraine whose livelihoods and, in some cases, their businesses have been destroyed by Russian attacks.

Later this month, Downing and students will also brew a Ukrainian Golden Ale, using a recipe developed from Pravda brewery in Lviv, Ukraine, which has halted beer production to make Molotov cocktails during the war.

For Downing, support for Ukraine is both professional and personal. During the early nineties – a pivotal time after Ukraine gained independence in 1991 – he was instrumental in launching two microbreweries in Ukraine (in Dnipro and Haivoron).

“Having seen the country being rebuilt once, I know it’s going to be rebuilt again. I know that the strength of Ukrainian people will make it happen,” he said. “Brewing is a part of it. Brewing is a part of the economy locally here in Ontario, worldwide and in Ukraine as well.”

The Teaching Brewery’s Resist – Ukrainian Anti Imperial Stout is expected to be available on March 30 and Ukrainian Golden Ale is expected to be released to the public in mid-May. Both will be available at the College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre ($3.75 per can) while supplies last.