The University is joining forces with Tin Roof Brewing Co. to launch an LSU-brand beer to be released during football season.
The University is collaborating with the Baton Rouge-based microbrewery to make a blonde ale, available both in cans and on tap, said Charles D’Agostino, executive director of the Louisiana Business & Technology Center and William McGehee, owner of Tin Roof Brewing Co. and University alumnus.
The branded beer will be distributed by Mockler Beverage Co., which distributes Budweiser, and will be sold in grocery stores, bars and gas stations.
He said the name of the beer and images cannot be released until The Collegiate Licensing Company approves it. The announcement should be made within 30 days.
“The name and images have met the University’s requirements on trademarks and images, and now we are waiting for final word from Collegiate Licensing,” he said.
D’Agostino says the CLC will receive a share of gross sales. Of that share, the University will receive a royalty amount for the use of the LSU name and trademark.
The Louisiana Business & Technology Center and the Department of Food Science have been actively involved in the process of creating the LSU beer.
D’Agostino and students were also involved in the process.
“At the beginning, we helped Tin Roof develop a business and financial plan. We also set up a plan to get investors and began focus groups for branding and imaging,” he said.
Food sciences professor Paul W. Wilson said officials are creating internship courses at Tin Roof Brewing Co. for food science students interested in the fermentation process.
In addition to internship courses, Wilson said the department is approving fermentation curriculum.
“We’re looking at adding a beginning and advanced brewing course at the 3000 and 4000 level,” he said. “Currently we teach Horticulture 4041 and 4035, which deal with plant and food fermentation.”
Some classes will be held at the brewery, while others will be taught by brew masters, McGehee said.
“We hope that everyone else is just as excited [as we are], especially LSU fans,” he said.
After national news of an LSU-branded beer spread, the University of Michigan and Boston College have begun their own brewery endeavors. D’Agostino says Boston College is working with Samuel Adams to create their own.
But with national spotlight comes some concerns.
“I am fearful of our capacity to meet the demand,” D’Agostino said. “I’m afraid we won’t be able to expand quick enough.”
Opportunity for business graduate students and undergraduate students remains a priority.
“Business students will need to look at expanding the business plan, and new focus groups will need to be made,” D’Agostino said. “There is some potential for marketing classes and undergraduate students to be involved in the new labels and marketing.”
McGehee and D’Agostino hope the beer will be on shelves in September or October.
 
 
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Contact Kaitlin Torke at [email protected]