ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Monday morning at Bayboro Brewing, the malty magic of making beer was underway.

What You Need To Know

  • USF receives gift of more than $2 million to support on-campus stadium and brewing arts program.

  • The brewing arts program, taught as a 23-week online course on the St. Petersburg campus, provides participants with foundational knowledge and hands-on training for successful craft-brewing careers. 

  • The donation comes from Joey Redner, the founder of Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, and his wife, Jennifer.

“The beer we are making today is going to be our Irish Red," said Aaron Hutchings, Bayboro Brewery's head brewer. 

Sam Rosenstiel, a University of South Florida Brewing Arts student, is learning the craft of brewing beer from Hutchings.

“Aaron has been very patient with me," Rosenstiel said with a chuckle. "I think I am getting a little better everyday, but we will see." 

Part of USF's Brewing Arts Certification program is doing an internship. 

“I am finally getting my hands on it after learning all the theory and looking at all the diagrams and doing my calculations," Rosenstiel said. "I'm like, 'I'm finally it, man. This is great.'"

His dream is to own a brewery or become a head brewer. 

Now Bayboro Brewery's head brewer, Hutchings was at one time in the same place Rosenstiel is.

“I actually went through the program," said Hutchings. 

He is a 2019 USF Brewing Program graduate, and is now giving back his time and knowledge to those currently enrolled.

“It kind of got me to where I'm at right now," he said. "There's always new breweries opening here in St. Pete. St Pete's got a huge brewing scene."

Last month, USF received a $2.2 million donation from Joey Redner and his wife, Jennifer. Redner is the founder of Cigar City Brewing in Tampa. He has since sold the business, which has a huge following. 

USF officials said the money will be split into two areas: expanding the brewing arts certification course and to the new on-campus football stadium being built. 

“There'll be a 40,000 square-foot hospitality pavilion space. And then inside that footprint, there'll be a 3,000 square-foot brewing lab, which will be designed for our program," said USF Brewing Arts professor Joe Askren. "But also for production for maybe — not maybe, but certainly — a beer that'll be on tap there at the stadium."  

Donations like this, Askren said, will boost the program on a national scale even more. 

"I'd love to just be able to make great beer," said Rosenstiel. "I want to maybe open my own place one day. You know, we'll see. Aaron's been a great teacher, and he is. This is the place to learn how to make great beer.”