TAFE Queensland pale ale wins silver at beer awards

Brewed under the ‘Froth Rookies Brewing Co’ label, the Certificate III in Food Processing (FBP30117) students entered their Pale Ale into the awards to see where their beer ranked within the industry, before surprisingly winning silver.

Director of Faculty Tourism, Hospitality and Personal Services Pat Dennis said the teachers and students were humbled to produce an award-winning beer from the Coopers Plains BrewLab facility.

“We began this course in 2020 so the next generation of brewers knew everything about brewing before entering the workforce, to support Queensland’s craft brewing industry.”

“Fast forward 18 months, and one of their beers is not only an award winner, it beat hundreds of other entries from established commercial breweries – and we couldn’t prouder,” says Mr Dennis.

While the students have done an incredible job, Mr Dennis also credits their win to the guidance of the experienced teachers in the industry-standard facilities.

“Students come to us with a passion for brewing and they learn everything they need to be successful, in a hands-on learning environment in an industry-standard state of the art BrewLab under the guidance of their expert teachers,” explains Mr Dennis.

“Our teachers have decades of combined industry experience, and all their knowledge helps our students learn the theoretical and practical aspects required to be an amazing brewer.”

“During their studies, students use the facility’s industry standard vats, kettles, filters, tanks, canning and kegging technology with access to product and market research experts in the sensory lab.”

Helping the students to perfect their craft are the strong links that TAFE Queensland has to prominent brewers in the South East, giving them access to product feedback at industry events.

“The mission of the Certificate III in Food Processing (FBP30117) is to help grow and improve Queensland’s beer industry, and this award win proves that we’re on the right path to achieving that,” continues Pat.

“Having the right mentors in the right facility is helping to develop the master brewers of tomorrow to brew and launch award-winning beers that will contribute to the success of the industry.”

Making the award win even more special is that it comes off the back of the global pandemic, which caused a lot of disruption to the students and their studies.

“These students overcame many obstacles in 2020 to create a fantastic Pale Ale and a truly wonderful example of how good Queensland craft beer is. It shows skills, knowledge, dedication and determination of the teachers of the first cohort of students,” Pat said.

The Froth Rookies Brewing Co label was created through a collaboration between TAFE Queensland’s brewing and Diploma of Graphic Design (CUA50715) students.

The students came together to create the label’s brand identity and a logo for the cans and bar taps that the beer will be packaged in.

“Correctly packaging our beer is important as we want to protect our product when it’s in transit, appeal to consumers visually, communicate our brand identity and tell the Froth Rookies story,” explains Pat.

Also brewed under the Froth Rookies Brewing Co label is a Lager, Dark Ale and a Session Ale that are available at TAFE Queensland’s student-run restaurants and bars.