Blackburn College serves up its own scholars brew

Diners at Blackburn College training restaurant Scholars, are enjoying a tasty new tipple, thanks to a renowned Lancashire brewery.

In a unique collaboration with Clitheroe headquartered Bowland Brewery, Scholars own label IPA is now being served alongside the culinary creations from the College’s catering and hospitality students.

The launch of Scholars Ale, brewed for the award winning Blackburn College restaurant, is a further expansion of a highly successful partnership with acclaimed hospitality business James‘s Places, owners of Bowland brewery.

David Lyon, chef Lecturer and head chef at Blackburn College said: “Launching the Scholars Ale seemed a natural expansion of our relationship with Bowland Brewery and James’s Places.

"They are very supportive of the work we do training our young chefs and front of house students.

“For many years now, our students have been able to take up vital work placements with James’s Places to see first hand what it is like to work in hospitality.

“In fact, one of our former students is now head chef at Bowland Food Hall. This latest project is a continuation of Blackburn College helping to provide a pipeline of talent to the region’s hospitality sector.

“The idea for the own label ale, came around after our students visited Bowland Brewery to see how the brewing process happens and what goes into producing real ale.

“The next step was to show the students how the ale is sold and the best way to do that was to launch a Scholars IPA we could sell and serve in our restaurant.”

“College marketing and creative arts students got involved, designing the bespoke label. It now sits very proudly on the Scholars restaurant bar and is flying off our shelves.”

Jen Briggs, HR director James’s Places said: “Our relationship with Blackburn College is really important. Over the years we have had many Level two and three students spend time with us  who are now working as head chefs in our kitchens.

“This summer alone, we have seen Blackburn College students come to work with us on placement and have now employed them all.”

Natalie Walsh is the senior manager at Bowland Brewery and has been instrumental in bringing the brewing project to life.

“We enjoy working closely with Blackburn College’s Catering and Hospitality department, encouraging people to go into the hospitality industry.

“This collaboration is giving the students the opportunity to not only learn about what goes into making an IPA, but also about the importance of the retail side of hospitality, actually selling a product.

“There are hundreds of IPAs out there, but actually making it personal, branding with an own label, gives the retailer, in this case Scholars restaurant, a real sense of ownership.”

“People really love to take something away with them after a great experience, so this project also provides the front of house students with the chance to learn about the skill of marketing and up-selling in a hospitality setting.”

David Lyon said: "The ale pairs really well with many of the dishes on our menu.

“It is a lighter, refreshing ale, particularly pleasant to have at lunchtime when you really don't want to drink a full bodied beer.

“Going forward, we will be looking at the scope to use the ale as an ingredient in the dishes our students help prepare, cook and serve.

“It is a fantastic project and I doubt there is another college in the country that  collaborates with a  brewery to produce its own label ale.”