Grand opening celebrates CSU’s Fermentation Science and Technology Program’s world-class facilities

Like a fine Bière de Garde or a mature cheddar, the grand opening of Colorado State University's Fermentation Science and Technology Program's Gifford Building facilities has been aged long after the hard work was done.

"This has been a dream in the making for a very long time," said Lise Youngblade, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, as she welcomed attendees to the April 17 event.

"The program is officially about 8-and-a-half years old," Jeff Callaway, associate director of the FST program, said as the state-of-the-art facilities were finally formally unveiled. "So just in time to have a grand opening ceremony, right?"

A private celebration of FST was held outside the Gifford Building, complete with student research posters, music, student-brewed beer, food and a look inside the brew kitchen and innovation hub.

Sponsors powered growth

CSU officials thanked companies, donors and individuals for their contributions that sparked the curriculum plus the growth and expansion of the program housed in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Companies thanked included major sponsors New Belgium Brewing Co., Anheuser-Busch InBev, Odell Brewing Co. and Emerson Automation Solutions plus others such as Anton Paar, Atlas CopCo, Crafted ERP, GF Coolfit, K-Malt and Zahm & Nagel.

"As much as companies are fantastic, companies are made up of people," Callaway said. "And, at the end of the day, that's really what has made what we've done successful."