Staff and students at Niagara College’s Teaching Brewery are raising a glass to a golden pour with a new medal from the 2026 Canada Beer Cup.
The popular NC Craft Bitter won gold, leading the English Bitter and Pale Ale category.
“Canada Beer Cup is Canada’s national not-for-profit beer competition, and the most technical. Niagara College Teaching Brewery’s NC Craft Bitter stood out and was awarded Gold amongst blind-tasted 1,900 submissions,” said Hilary Hoogsteen, Canada Beer Competition Director. “This is an exceptional accomplishment and demonstrates the level of attention to detail in their program.”
“This incredible achievement is a testament to the hands-on, world-class education our students receive at the Teaching Brewery,” said Gary Torraville, Senior Director, Enterprises. “Winning gold on a national stage demonstrates that NC truly prepares our Brewmaster students to lead, innovate and set the standard for excellence in the craft beer industry.”
NC Craft Bitter is among the Teaching Brewery’s most popular student-made beers. To date, it has won 20 medals – six gold, nine silver and five bronze. While its medal count is tied with Beer 101 Strong, NC Craft Bitter stands out with more gold medals than any other beer in the program’s history.
Initially launched as Butler’s Bitter, which was introduced in 2012 to mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the English Pale Ale (4.4% ABV) was later released as Beer 101 Bitter – part of the Teaching Brewery’s flagship brand – while remaining available in bottles under its original name. In May 2026, it took on the NC Craft label as part of an epic rebranding that unified College products from the Teaching Winery, Teaching Brewery and Teaching Distillery.
Brewmaster Professor Jon Downing noted that the award-winning batch was brewed by both the current third-semester class of Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management students, and the latest class of 2026 program graduates. He attributed the brew’s ongoing success to the high and consistent quality of education of the student brewers, the expertise of Teaching Brewery staff, and the original recipe brewed 14 years ago.
“It is fantastic for the efforts of our students and brewing team to be recognized on the national stage,” said Downing. “The medal emphasizes the quality of the student experience, showing that what they are brewing and learning is up with the best in Canada.”
Daily operations at the Teaching Brewery are led by Head Brewer Ian Morrison and Lead Brewer Adam Marshall, who are both graduates of the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program.
“The credit definitely has to be shared with our teachers and mentors as alumni of the program. And, of course, we are happy to share that win with the students of the Brewmaster program who we are now privileged enough to be involved with leading and training,” said Marshall. “But, most importantly, we hope the customers continue to enjoy our beers, and we can continue to bring people together over a pint.”
For second-year Brewmaster student Blake Hunt, the program’s draw was its focus on hands-on experience and creativity. Now she is celebrating alongside her instructors as the Bitter she and her classmates helped brew has brought home national gold.
“As a Brewmaster student, I feel honoured and elated to be a part of such a great accomplishment,” said Hunt. “We really come together as a community and work towards a better industry. It is always incredible getting to be a part of the brewing process and create products for others to enjoy.”
NC Craft Bitter is regularly produced and available for purchase alongside student-crafted products from NC’s School of Wine Beer and Spirits, at the NC Craft Beverage Centre (Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake) and online at nccraft.ca.
Operated by the Canadian Craft Brewers Association, the prestigious Canada Beer Cup is Canada’s largest and only national not-for-profit craft beer competition, celebrating independently owned and operated breweries across Canada. It showcases quality and innovation in craft beer from coast to coast to coast. Winners of the 2026 Canada Beer Cup were announced in Calgary on October 8.
The NC Teaching Brewery became Canada’s first teaching brewery when it opened in 2010-2011 as a living laboratory for students in NC’s trailblazing Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program. It is located at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Products are available at the NC Craft Beverage Centre: visit nccraft.ca.
