Sample suds

The first-ever May Daze Craft Beer Fest at Wright State University offered 45 different beers to sample from 14 local breweries but also explanations of the science behind it.

Sponsored by the Wright State Alumni Association, the beer festival’s eventual goal is to raise funds for student scholarships.

The Craft Beer Fest took place on May 18 in the Apollo Room of the Student Union.

The idea behind the May Daze Craft Beer Fest grew from a similar event at Appalachian State University, where Wright State President Sue Edwards, Ph.D., had been on the faculty.

“She gave us the idea, and we took it and ran with it,” said Greg Scharer, executive director of alumni relations at Wright State.

While Wright State does not offer a degree in brewing, those alumni benefited from “their education here because they learned how to create and market a business,” Scharer said. “They have gone into other majors that contributed to running a craft brewery.”

One of those alumni is Ian Bock, owner of Bock Family Brewing in Centerville. He said the education he received from Wright State has helped in numerous ways after earning his degree in psychology in 2003.

“Wright State prepared me for all of the things I’ve overcome,” he said. “It’s gotten me all of the jobs I’ve had and it’s taught me to be adaptable.”

The following breweries participated in the beer fest:

• Alematic Artisan Ales
• Bock Family Brewing
• Branch and Bone Artisan Ales
• Crooked Handle Brewing Company
• Dayton Beer Company
• Devils Wind Brewing
• Fifth Street Brewpub
• Heavier Than Air Brewing Co.
• Little Fish Brewing Company
• Nowhere In Particular Cabinet of Curiosities
• Southern Ohio Brewing
• Wandering Griffin Brew Pub
• Warped Wing Brewing
• Yellow Springs Brewery

Christopher Wyatt, Ph.D., associate professor and associate chair for education in the Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, conducted an educational session during the festival.