Metro Vancouver, B.C. – Meet Dominic Bernard and Alek Egi: two new Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) instructors who will be teaching B.C.’s next generation of brewmasters and brewery operators.
Both bring scientific educational backgrounds, international experience, technical training and passion for brewing to KPU’s new program, and in just over three months, they’ll be sharing their expertise with the Brewing and Brewery Operations program’s first students. Based at KPU Langley, both Bernard and Egi are currently developing the program’s HOPS courses.
Egi is moving his family halfway across the country to teach at B.C.’s “Brew U”, and brings experience as a brewing manager, technologist, specialist and researcher to the program, on top of a master in food science from Dalhousie, and a raft of brewing- and beer-related training. With a master of science in brewing and distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, Bernard has about a decade of experience as a science teacher, and has worked in the brewing industries of B.C., Quebec and Belgium.
What started your passion for brewing?
Bernard: I lived in Belgium in 1998 for eight months and I was amazed by the varieties of different beers. It’s in Belgium that I developed my palate and learned to appreciate good beer. After finishing my chemistry degree from SFU in 2002, I started to homebrew and became passionate about brewing as it was an opportunity for me to apply the chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and engineering knowledge that I had acquired during my studies.
Egi: As a bachelor student in the University of Belgrade’s food technology engineering program, I had the opportunity to study many different food processing technologies Brewing caught my attention from the very start as one of the most challenging and at the same time most interesting processing technologies. It incorporates many different disciplines such as biochemistry, microbiology and engineering.
How are you qualified to teach the brewing program?
Bernard: I have a passion for beer and brewing. In addition, I’ve been a high school science teacher for the last seven years, and have also worked in the brewing industry in B.C., Quebec and Belgium.
Egi: During the past thirteen years working for the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) I gained advanced knowledge of brewing technology through hands-on work in pilot brewery and malt plants. Also, as a graduate student, I focused on brewing-related research.
What is the most satisfying part of brewing?
Bernard: Innovating new beer recipes.
Egi: Coming up with new beer recipes and products that people can enjoy – the constant quest for the perfect pint.
What are you most looking forward to about the program?
Bernard: Teaching and brewing in the new brewing facilities at KPU.
Egi: I’m looking forward to teaching young brewers and passing on my experience, passion and knowledge. I’m also looking forward to brewing many different and exciting beers. For me, it's the opportunity to be a significant part of one of the few educational institutions in North America that offer brewing programs, and to contribute to its success and growth.
Bernard and Egi will be manning a program booth at BC Business’s “Business of Craft Beer Week” event Thursday, May 29 on the eve of Vancouver Craft Beer Week. More information is available here.
KPU will be hosting the first information session for its Brewing and Brewery Operations program on Tuesday, May 27 at KPU Langley. To register, visit: kpu.ca/brew.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 19,000 students annually have a choice from over 124 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations. Learn more at www.kpu.ca.
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Caption: Dominic Bernard (left) and Alek Egi are KPU’s two new brewing instructors.
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Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist, KPU
t: 604.599.2883
c: 604.364.1288
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Triona King
Communications and Event Specialist
Faculty of Science
t: 604.599.2048
triona.king@kpu.ca
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