For recent graduate Lachlan Robertson, beer isn’t just a beverage; it’s a study in chemistry, history and craft.
Now the 2026 Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program alumnus is ready to tap into his expertise to lead an upcoming NC Craft Masterclass, “Beer: 4 Ingredients.”
Scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, September 29 (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) at the NC Craft Beverage Centre, the interactive session invites the public to look past the pint glass and discover how just four basic building blocks – water, malt, hops and yeast – can produce an endless spectrum of flavour.
“One of the things we love about NC Craft is the opportunity to take the knowledge and expertise developed in our programs and share it directly with the community,” said Brad Tandy, Events and Marketing Coordinator with NC Craft. “Lachlan brings a great combination of technical knowledge and enthusiasm to this masterclass, and we’re excited to give guests a chance to experience beer from a completely different perspective.”
For Robertson, who is currently expanding his credentials as an Artisan Distilling student, leading the session marks a proud full-circle moment.
“I’m thrilled and honoured to have been given an opportunity to display the intricacies of the beer world to the public, and to provide a snapshot of the unique learning experience that I was given through Niagara College,” he said. “Events like this are crucial to the continued appreciation and success of small breweries as it provides the public an inside look at the challenges and care that goes into crafting products that are enjoyed so widely.”
During his time in the Brewmaster program, Robertson served as class chair for Project Brew – the program’s signature beer festival. That experience, paired with his time behind the beer counter at the NC Craft Beverage Centre, revealed a genuine community appetite for brewing know-how.
“Having the chance to interact with patrons at our Project Brew event … showed me there was a hunger for more knowledge related to our craft,” he said. “Presenting that knowledge in a setting such as this is a fantastic way to keep our patrons engaged with the Teaching Brewery and provide a few tasty treats along the way.”
Robertson credits the College’s faculty and the practical training he gained in the program for giving him the technical foundation to demystify complex brewing science for an audience.
“The main way the program was able to assist me was providing a comprehensive education that tied together the history, technical and practical aspects of the brewing industry,” he said. “The information, passed along by such a wonderful and engaging group of professors and brewers really gave me confidence in the world of beer.”
Attendees can expect a structured “compare and contrast” flight to showcase how altering a single variable changes everything from mouthfeel to aroma. Robertson will guide guests through the sweetness and colour provided by malt, the bitterness and bouquet of hops, the complex fermentation flavours created by yeast, and the critical, mineral-driven profile of water.
“Coupling some historical comparisons, historical and scientific explanations behind the choices made within a brewery setting and ingredient handling procedures, guests will be able to further understand what makes each style of beer created here at NC so representative,” said Robertson.
Above all, he hopes guests leave with an educated palate and stories to share around their own tables.
“Mostly, I’m excited for our guests to try those beers with the benefit of perspective,” he said. “Now they’ll be able to pass it along to their friends and family and having gained a deeper understanding of what went into the can.
Tickets for the two-hour evening session are $59 for the general public and $49 for NC Craft Club members. Space is limited and advance registration is available via NC Craft website here.
