UM Alumni Association marks 125 years with student-brewed beer release

MISSOULA, Mont. — A new student-developed beer called 1901 will debut at Draught Works in Missoula as part of the UM Alumni Association’s 125th anniversary, University of Montana announced.

The university said the light hop-forward beer was created through UM’s brewing science program and brewed by Draught Works using Montana-made ingredients. The name comes from the alumni association’s founding year.

LeAnn Layton, UM associate vice president for alumni and community relations, said the project brought together students, alumni-owned businesses and Montana ingredients.

“This beer was an opportunity to truly highlight not only the proud legacy of UM Alumni and the roots of our beginning, but to also celebrate our students, alumni-owned businesses and Montana’s world-class hops and malt,” said Layton.

UM said students in the Brewing Science Class developed the recipe as part of a six-class certificate program in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Science. Students studied fermentation science early in the semester and later toured local breweries to learn more about the business.

Instructor Sean Flynn said the class was built to show students how beer moves from science to a finished product.

“There’s so many kinds of science that go into making a beer,” Flynn said. “Microbiology, chemistry, botany, biology and physics. Having a solid foundation on the chemical processes is only part of it.”

“I’ve dedicated my life to this industry, and I’ve always wanted to teach the next generation the information and skills that I had wished I had known before I started,” Flynn said. “So it’s really energizing to get to share this with the next generation and help them earn the skills and knowledge that I wish I had when starting out.”

Draught Works head brewer Kyle Sillars said the brewery tried to keep the project local by using Montana Craft Malt from near Butte and Flathead Valley Hops. He described 1901 as a hop-forward lager with a light citrus flavor and lower alcohol content.

“It’s always fun to try something new, something that’s a little outside a comfort zone. You don’t really know what you’re going to get, and that’s the fun of a seasonal one-off and a partnership like this,” Sillars said.

UM said 1901 will be a one-time seasonal release available only on tap, in kegs and in the Draught Works taproom.

Alumni and friends are invited to a release and tasting event at 4 p.m. Friday, May 1, at Draught Works, 915 Toole Ave. in Missoula.