LSU has scrapped plans to launch its own brand of beer.
Chancellor Mike Martin announced the flagship university’s decision Wednesday, after running into conflict with LSU System leaders about the plans.
LSU had been collaborating with a Baton Rouge-based microbrewery, Tin Roof Brewing Co., on the blonde ale that was going to be tied into a food science training program to teach students about fermentation.
Initial plans had the sales to start during the fall football season. But the university’s governing body said the beer plans would violate its contract with the Collegiate Licensing Company. Tin Roof ended up releasing the beer without an LSU-related name or logo — and without LSU receiving any royalties from sales of the ale.
Martin now has given up on the “Bandit Blonde Ale” idea altogether, rather than continue haggling with LSU System leaders and lawyers.
“The intent was to create an educational opportunity for students to learn about the beer industry and business modeling, while also seeking new revenue for the university,” Martin said in a statement. “Ultimately, we have bigger priorities than to maneuver the complexities of a venture this different and unique, so we have notified all parties involved that this is no longer on our agenda.”
Tin Roof, located about a quarter-mile from the university campus, rolled out its first beers in November 2010. It started through assistance from LSU’s small business incubator, so the partnership was thought to be easy to continue with an LSU-branded beer.
University food science professors worked with Tin Roof on the recipe for the new beer. Plans included professors who would help with brewing and quality control measures, and students who would be taught classes in fermentation science at the brewery. Business students already had worked on branding, imaging and marketing for the new beer.
LSU System leaders and Martin disagreed, however, on how they interpreted the licensing contract and what types of changes and votes would be needed to the existing terms to attach the LSU name to the ale.
LSU wouldn’t have been the first college to venture into alcohol development.
The University of California, Davis has a winery, brewery and food-processing research and teaching complex. Colleges in Oregon and Washington also both have relationships with wine-making and beer-making operations.
 
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