LSU Chancellor Proposes On-Campus Brewery

by Hanna Raskin, Posted Mar 25th 2010 @ 11:00AM

Photo: Getty Images

Students at a southern university that perennially tops lists of party schools may soon have the opportunity to uphold their institution's reputation with 12 added ounces of collegiate pride.

The chancellor at Louisiana State University recently unveiled a proposal to build a microbrewery on campus. The facility would serve as a laboratory for food science students and a training center for aspiring brewmasters.

"At some schools around the country, they have mini breweries on campus," says president and CEO of the LSU Alumni Association, Charlie Roberts, pausing to clarify his pronunciation: "That's m-i-n-i breweries, not m-a-n-y," he adds helpfully.

According to Roberts, Chancellor Michael Martin believes a LSU-branded brew could contribute significantly to the school's marketing and generate revenue for its programs.

Planning's still in a preliminary stage, so nobody's quite sure yet what kind of beer might bear the LSU name. "I'm not even familiar with the different types, light and dark," Roberts admits, "but we joked and said we'd make a purple-and-gold beer."

The school is still grappling with legal and logistical hurdles, including how to make the beer available for sale on campus. But Roberts is sure tailgaters and other LSU fans set on celebrating game day in proper Fightin' Tiger style would somehow track down the signature student-made ale. "It would be a great conversation piece," he says.

Not surprisingly, students have been abuzz about the potential project since it was announced in the campus newspaper. "They expressed interest," Roberts says. "They expressed, 'Is it real?' and they expressed, 'Are [administrators] sincere?' Typical student reaction."

Filed Under: News
Tags: beer, lsu, microbreweries

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-25-2010 @1:54PM Tim Cosgriff said... It is quite possibly to make a "purple-and-gold beer". But it would have to be two beers actually. Abita makes a beer called Purple Haze that has raspberry puree in it that turns it a slight purple color. Also, any german style pilsner/lager is typically golden in color.
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3-25-2010 @4:11PM Matt said... really tim? abita makes a beer called purple haze?

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3-26-2010 @4:47AM cardelloliver said... I think that kid from Penn State might be better as of right now. Thaddeus Gibson is a DE for Ohio State, I think he might be on that list.
http://topgradeacaiextreme.net/
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3-26-2010 @6:26PM Christine Davis said... As an LSU alumni, I think this is one of the most wonderful ideas the administration has ever had! Think about the internet sales to out of state Tigers who want a taste of Tiger stadium on game day!
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3-27-2010 @3:07PM lahollin said... LSU is just jealous of Ole Miss having a the only legalized marijuana crop in the US.
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3-26-2010 @5:38PM Krewe King said... Yes, indeed. Purple and Gold Beer ! Tiger Beer ! Pick up the slack where Jax left off.
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3-26-2010 @6:21PM sean murry said... i think this is a big mistake these kids will get drunk and start tearing up the place they cant hold thier beer.
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3-26-2010 @8:06PM nutnbtwork said... Yep, without this LSU students won't have a source for alcohol. Don't ya think that maybe, just maybe, LSU students might already take a little nip now and then without this? LSU has the most hospitable tailgate fans (on the road and at home) of any school I have experienced. Geaux Tigers.