Earlier today, I met up with James Sutton, the president and founder of the Future Brewers Club at UT Austin. As I sipped on a refreshing Founders Azzaca IPA, he went on to explain his perfect pizza+beer combo: a slice of Via 313‘s “Detroiter” pepperoni pizza and a “light bodied, but bitter and acidic beer to cut through the cheese and meat oils that cover pizza, like a lighter saison or IPA.” Just from our short conversation, it’s obvious that members of the Future Brewers Club are passionate about two things: the power and camaraderie behind the creation and enjoyment of a great beer.
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Brewing sounds complicated? Do I have to like chemistry?
Although Sutton is a Chemistry major here at the University of Texas, he doesn’t see the club as just focusing on the science behind the brew. Sutton explains, “There is a ton of science in brewing beer, but there is definitely a strong component of artistry when working with the more unpredictable facets of brewing, especially spontaneous and wild fermentation. Not everyone likes beer, and not everyone likes chemistry, and that’s okay! You don’t have to understand alpha-acid isomerization to enjoy an IPA at the end of the day.”
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What if I am not 21? Can I still join?
Actually, you don’t have to be 21 to join the organization. The club’s main goals are to bring people together to discuss and appreciate beer in a way that is totally different from just going to a bar or a party. “We don’t drink any beer, technically, as an organization on campus. Any brewery tours we do, we do as individuals who met through the club and we organize carpools to breweries for the safety of all those who want to a chance to safely visit a brewery,” says Sutton.
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So, whether you’re interested in concocting a new brew, exploring your entrepreneurial interests, or just drinking a great beer with a laid-back group, the Future Brewers Club is your pathway away from the terrors of a boring, old six-pack. If you are interested in joining, the club holds meetings once a month on Fridays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Welch 2.312 and hosts a variety of brewery tours and social outings for everyone to enjoy. Their next meeting will be this Friday, February 5th, where the founder of Jester King Brewery will be speaking. If you have any other questions you can contact James Sutton via e-mail, james.sutton@utexas.edu, or the FBC’s Facebook page.
Photo by Sofia Gonzalez
Cheers!