There’s room in brewing for a broader range of people, perspectives and experiences. Launching October 1st, the UC Davis Tapping Potential Scholarship Program opens those doors by educating a more diverse generation of brewers.
“There is no craft brewery in Vietnam run by women,” said Dung Ngô, last year’s scholarship winner. “I can be the first.”
Similarly, 2023 winner Chijindu Onwuchekwa is adding her perspective to the brewing industry by blending traditional Nigerian ingredients with modern craft beer practices.
“I hope I am able to inspire women in Nigeria and Africa in general that they can also brew amazing beer,” said Onwuchekwa. “Brewing started with ale wives. We can take back the reins.”
Tapping Potential donors supported Onwuchekwa’s trip to Davis from Nigeria to participate in the Master Brewers Program Practical Bootcamp and work in the laboratory of Dr. Glen Fox, academic director of the UC Davis Master Brewers Certificate Program.
UC Davis Tapping Potential Scholarships fund diversity-focused, full-ride scholarships to the prestigious UC Davis Online Master Brewers Certificate Program. Donations are crucial in funding this transformative scholarship. Support the Tapping Potential campaign now through 10/31/24 by visiting the Tapping Potential crowdfund website. Scholarship applications run concurrently and individuals can apply by visiting the scholarship web page.
In an exciting collaboration, this year’s campaign features ‘Tapping Potential Pink IPA,’ a unique beer developed by Onwuchekwa. Incorporating hibiscus and sorghum, it celebrates her Nigerian roots and was brewed by five regional breweries – Barebottle Brewing Co., Three Mile Brewing Company, Oak Park Brewing, Clandestine Brewing Company and Touchstone Brewing Company – who each put their spin on the recipe. Suppliers CLS Farms, Proximity Malt, RahrBSG and Berkeley Yeast also supported the effort.
Other long-time UC Davis Tapping Potential sponsors include Sudwerk Brewing Co., Jackrabbit Brewing Co., Hybrid (UC Davis CPE’s marketing firm) and The Sacramento Area Brewers Guild.
“Increasing diversity in the brewing industry is important now and into the future,” said Lester Koga, co-founder of Barebottle Brewing Company. “With more backgrounds, experiences and ideas, we’ll continue to improve the legacy of craft brewing in America. UC Davis is leading the charge to create an open and diverse brewing community and we’re excited to help.”
Koga is also a member of the UC Davis Tapping Potential Fund Advisory Council. He’s joined by Dr. J Jackson-Beckham (Brewers Association, Equity & Inclusion Partner), Dr. Missy Begay (Bow & Arrow Brewing, Co-founder) and Garrett Oliver (Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster and founder of the Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling).
Tapping Potential Scholarships cover all fees and materials for the Online Master Brewers Certificate Program, including a week-long, in-person bootcamp at UC Davis’ state-of-the-art August A. Busch III pilot brewery. Scholarships are available to students who are committed to diversity, have experience and/or understanding of the barriers traditionally faced by people from underrepresented populations (based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities…) and demonstrate a high potential for leadership in promoting cross-cultural understanding in the brewing industry.
Tapping Potential is offered as part of the UC Davis Professional Brewing Scholarships program, which includes the Mark E. Ruedrich North Coast Brewing Diversity Scholarship, the Michael and Sheila Lewis Scholarship in Brewing and the Bay Area Brewers Guild Diversity Scholarship.
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