Logan Mossman’s passion for East Coast Pale Ale paid off on August 13, when his student-crafted Project Brew creation hopped its way to the head of the class as the Project Brew Scholarship winner.
Mossman’s From Valhalla a Pale Ale, inspired by his love of East Coast-style Pale Ales, captured hearts and taste buds, earning him the first prize Project Brew title along with a $4,500 scholarship from Linde (formerly Praxair). Second- and third-place brews were also recognized: Almost Home a Bumbleberry Gose by Sophie Zimmer, and Rain or Shine a Blonde Ale with Strawberry and Basil by Laura Garzon.
“I feel very humbled to win this award as there were so many great beers made by my fellow brewers/classmate,” said Mossman. “I think any one of them could have taken first place, but I am very honoured to have won.”
The fruity, juicy pale ale which Mossman crafted was fermented with Norwegian Ebbergarden Kveik yeast – where the name of the beer From Valhalla comes from – along with a mix of fruity new world hops. The result: a summer beer he describes as “flavourful and crushable.”
Victor North, beer student liaison and faculty member, said that Mossman’s beer was selected on the strength of its overall presentation and balance. He noted that the Norwegian Pale Ale displays prominent fruity esters, leaning toward tropical guava and mango, lending well to traditional as well as modern aromatic styles.
“The resulting pale ale packed a powerful fruity punch – so much so that it almost seemed to be fruited,” said North. “It was an excellent and exciting brew that could perhaps even find commercial viability for itself in the competitive craft beer market.”
Designing and brewing their own unique beer for Project Brew has become a rite of passage for NC’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management students before capping off their final term. In addition to designing and brewing their own beer, Project Brew gives students an opportunity to learn how to organize a beer event and to freshen up on their serving skills.
Project Brew Summer 2021 was much different from the large-scale festivals typically held at the St. Catharines Market Square during events prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A small-scale RSVP-only event was held outdoors at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre with limited seating in one-hour time slots with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.
The theme for the Summer 2021 edition of Project Brew was Ninkasi’s jungle, as a nod to the ancient Sumerian goddess of beer, and the class created a variety of refreshing brews to suit.
Fifteen Project Brew beers were created by individual students, and the class teamed up for five collaboration beers All 20 unique beers crafted by the latest Brewmaster graduating class were packaged into a Project Brew Pack available for purchase while supplies last at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre.
Mossman valued the experience he gained through Project Brew.
“It was very gratifying and exciting to see people try our creations that we have put so much work and time into crafting,” he said.
He also appreciates that the recognition will boost his resume and help develop his reputation as a skilled professional as he prepares to embark on his career. He plans to return to his hometown of Innisfil, Ontario and work at his new brewing job at Barnstormers Brewing and Distilling in Barrie where he hopes to further develop his skills with hopes of someday opening his own brewery.
As for the scholarship money, Mossman plans to invest it into purchasing brewing equipment that will help him further develop his skills as a brewer.
“Hopefully, creating many more delicious and exciting beers for people to enjoy,” he said.
For details about Project Brew visit niagaracollege.ca/projectbrew. To order a Project Brew Pack, visit ncteachingwinery.ca/collections/project-brew-august-2021.
Cans of student-crafted beer are displayed on a table at Project Brew, which was held outdoors at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre on August 13.
