Grossman Gives Big to UCD Brewing School

Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, and Katie Gonser, presented the University of California at Davis with a $2 million check for the campus’ brewing science program.

Announced last Thursday, a few days before Christmas, the donation will establish an endowment for a full-time brewing position at UC Davis. The first Sierra Nevada endowed brewer will be Joseph Williams, a current staff researcher with the UC Davis brewing program.

According to a university statement, the new position will involve mentoring and managing students and teaching assistants, maintaining the campus brewery and teaching.

The UC Davis brewing science program provides students with education in chemistry, microbiology and other sciences. Skills are developed for entry into the brewing profession or related businesses. It is one of the most esteemed brewing programs in the world, and includes a hands-on brewery which allows students to brew beer in small batches.

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