2018 Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Siebel Brewing Scholarship Winners – Samuel Milne, Brian Fischer, and Elliott Plummer

One of our favorite foundations has announced the recipients of its 2018 Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Siebel Brewing Scholarships. To honor the late Glen Hay Falconer, each year the foundation that bears his name partners with the Siebel Institute of Technology to offer a few brewing scholarship to aspiring brewers.

After the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation selection committee reviewed the talented pool of applicants, the 2018 scholarship recipients include Samuel Milne of Kulshan Brewing Company (Bellingham, WA), Brian Fischer of Living The Dream Brewing Company (Littleton, CO), and Elliott Plummer of Boneyard Beer (Bend, OR). Milne was awarded the Diploma Course, as both Fischer and Plummer were both awarded the Concise Course. This marks the first time that the foundation selected two recipients of the Concise Course, which normally only selects one qualified applicant.

The foundation also announced the dates for the 2018 Sasquatch Brew Fest that will take place on Saturday, July 7th at The Bier Stein in Eugene, Oregon. This fun filled beer fest is a fundraiser for the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation.

Here are additional details from the press release…

Samuel Milne will be enrolled in the World Brewing Academy (WBA) International Diploma in Brewing Technology Program running from August to November at Siebel’s Chicago and Munich campuses.  The International Diploma course is a 12-week comprehensive program intended for brewers seeking an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects and practical application of brewing science and technology.  Samuel is Head Brewer at Kulshan Brewery where he has worked his way up over the past four plus years, growing in knowledge and expertise and the brewery has grown in size and reputation.  The Selection Committee was impressed by how Samuel “has systematically set goals for himself to improve his craft, immersing himself in every step along the way from the humblest of tasks to the most complex.”  Samuel’s “breadth of experience inside the brewery positions him so well to benefit from the International Diploma Course curriculum, adding formal education at precisely the right time.”  Added another Selection Committee member: “His desire to teach and mentor others and demonstrated commitment to his homebrewing and professional brewing communities means that what he learns in the Diploma Course will have many beneficiaries beyond just Samuel.”

Brian Fischer and Elliott Plummer will both be enrolled in the WBA Concise Course in Brewing Technology that takes place this October in Chicago.  The Concise Course in Brewing Technology is a two-week intensive program that covers every topic critical to successful brewery operations.

Brian Fischer was a teacher and assistant principal for 17 years and left that rewarding career to follow his passion for craft brewing.  The Selection Committee was impressed with how “Brian has immersed himself in the brewing scene with fresh new ideas.”  Brian has set his goals on bringing craft to an underserved region where he can make an impact with a neighborhood style brewery.  The Selection Committee noted that “educating his local community about brewing styles through innovation and creativity ties in perfectly with his teaching background.”

Elliott Plummer is a Brewer at Boneyard Beer where he worked up from Keg Washer to Racker to Cellar Operator to Brewer over the past three years.  The Selection Committee was impressed by how “quickly he mastered his growing responsibilities” and noted “how Elliott is at one of those inflection points in an early brewing career where the scientific and technical aspects of brewing and brewery operations will propel him to his next success.”  “Elliott has a dedicated home brewing background and is poised to be a positive creative force in the ever-changing landscape of craft brewing.”

The Foundation thanks the incredible Selection Committees for their dedication and energy.  The 2018 International Diploma Course Committee consisted of Tom Dalldorf (Celebrator Beer News), Rodger Davis (Faction Brewing), Jamie Floyd (Ninkasi Brewing), John Hannafan (Siebel Institute), John Maier (Rogue Ales), and Shaun O’Sullivan (21st Amendment Brewery).  The 2018 Concise Course Committee consisted of Christian Ettinger (Hopworks Urban Brewing), Jamie Floyd (Ninkasi Brewing), Scott Freitas (Latitude 42 Brewing), John Hannafan (Siebel Institute), Ralph Olson (RNV Enterprises), and Chris Studach (Cascade Brewers Society).

A special thanks to Yakima Chief-Hopunion whose spectacularly successful Falconer’s Flight^® initiative not only has vastly spread the word about brewing education but also provided the necessary financial support to underwrite the expansion of our brewing scholarship program to include the International Diploma course.

To date, the Foundation has granted a total of 40 brewing education scholarships and currently offers three scholarships annually.

Don’t miss this year’s Sasquatch Brew Fest in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, July 7^th from 12pm to 8pm at the Bier Stein and the Sasquatch BrewAm golf tournament in Troutdale, Oregon on Friday, July 27^th.  For more information on the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation, our brewing scholarship program, and related activities, visit www.glenfalconerfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook.