Brewing students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) have crafted a new beer that draws on Chinese flavours from back home.
The beer, named 桂 Reverie, was created by second-year Brewing and Brewery Operations diploma students Simon Bai, Lucy Chang and Long (James) Jin.
Brewed with mandarin orange peel and Osmanthus flowers, this Belgian Witbier has a sweet, fragrant and peachy flavour profile that harmonizes with spicy notes of coriander seeds.
Osmanthus flowers, which are native to East Asia, are traditionally used in Chinese cuisine, including tea and desserts.
"Seeing students apply the skills they've honed in the KPU Brewing and Brewery Operations Diploma program to create their Signature Series beers is a real highlight as an instructor,” says Dominic Bernard, brewing instructor and program chair. “It’s where theory meets creativity, resulting in a perfect blend of technique, passion and individuality. They don’t just brew — they craft a reflection of everything they’ve learned and the unique perspective they bring to the brewing world."
Before making the leap to pursue their passions in brewing at KPU, all three students spent years working in different sectors — Chang in accounting, Bai in the expo business and Jin in hospitality as a pastry chef and bartender.
Bai, an international student from China, says KPU’s brewing program helped him find his true calling.
“Over the past two years, I’ve really fallen in love with the art and science behind craft brewing,” he says. “It’s become more than just a profession to me, but a deep passion, and I’m excited to continue growing and contributing to this dynamic field.”
桂 Reverie is one of six Signature Series beers. Every year, second-year KPU brewing students design, brew, analyze, package and sell their own signature beers as a capstone project.
All six student-crafted beers will be available for the public to purchase in cans on Thursday, April 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Everything Wine in Langley, B.C.