Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) students are raising a glass to success after winning second place in the Belgian Strong Ale category at this year’s B.C. Beer Awards, competing against some of the province’s top professional brewers.
“We’re incredibly proud of this recognition,” said Dominic Bernard, brewing instructor at KPU. “This beer showcases the creativity and expertise our students and faculty bring to the craft beer industry.”
The winning beer, aptly named Dubbel Date, is a Belgian Dubbel infused with Medjool date syrup, known for its smooth malt character and subtle caramel notes. The brew was created by Paul Virtue, a recent graduate of KPU’s Brewing and Brewery Operations diploma program, as part of his final capstone project.
“I was drawn to craft beer by curiosity — I wanted to understand how great beers are made,” said Virtue, who now works with Locality Brewing in Langley. “KPU gave me that opportunity, and this award wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my classmates and instructors.”
KPU’s two-year Brewing and Brewery Operations program teaches students the science, production, and business behind craft brewing. Since 2017, the university’s student brews have earned nine medals, including the Brewery of the Year title in 2019.
This year, KPU entered seven beers in the competition, including 50/50 Hefe Hefeweizen, New Zealand Pilsner, Gose, Summer Breeze Belgian Witbier, Dark Mild, and Alan’s Ale — with Dubbel Date leading the pack.
The B.C. Beer Awards annually celebrate excellence in British Columbia’s thriving craft beer scene, recognizing innovation, quality, and community spirit among brewers across the province.
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