Jeff Josline and Matt Ponichtera Are Recipients of the 2016 Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Siebel Brewing Scholarships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2016

** RECIPIENTS HAIL FROM MOUNTAINTOP TO SHORELINE IN 2016 FALCONER FOUNDATION SIEBEL SCHOLARSHIPS **

From an outstanding group of talented applicants, Jeff Joslin of Left Hand Brewing Company (Longmont, CO) and Matt Ponichtera of Maui Brewing Company (Kihei, HI) have been named recipients of the 2016 Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Siebel Brewing Scholarships.  Our scholarship program encompasses over half of the United States geography and the scholarships drew candidates from throughout that region.  This year, and for the first time, the recipients spanned the borders of our geographic footprint.

Jeff Joslin will be enrolled in the World Brewing Academy (WBA) International Diploma in Brewing Technology Program running from August to November 2016 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.  Currently a Lead Brewer at Left Hand Brewing, Jeff cut his teeth at Rogue Ales before moving to Colorado where he has become deeply involved in the craft brewing community in this great state.  The Selection Committee cited Jeff’s “aptitude in all the facets of brewing technology, initiative and leadership in professional and home brewing ranks.”  “Jeff embodies the passion that must be present to make great beer; he has that drive to ’fight for the beer’.”  They also highlighted his “community-orientation and love of life, in many respects reminiscent of Glen’s values.”

Matt Ponichtera will be enrolled in the WBA Concise Course in Brewing Technology that takes place this November in Chicago.  The Concise Course in Brewing Technology is a two-week intensive program that covers every topic critical to successful brewery operations.  Matt started his brewing career in Los Angeles before heading to Hawaii where he has continued to learn and rise to the challenge at Maui Brewing.  The Selection Committee emphasized that “Matt has earned his place for the Concise with his broad and intense craft brewing experiences in LA and Maui.”  “The Siebel experience will round out a talented and dedicated brewer who is so clearly eager to learn and share his knowledge in a truly collaborative spirit.”

The Foundation thanks the incredible Selection Committee for its dedication and energy.  The 2016 Committee consisted of Tom Dalldorf of Celebrator Beer News, Jamie Floyd of Ninkasi Brewing Company, Ralph Olson of RNV Enterprises, John Maier of Rogue Ales (Concise only), Chris Studach of Cascade Brewers Society, and Jesse Umbarger of Yakima Chief-Hopunion.

The Foundation expresses its deep gratitude to the Siebel Institute for its collaboration and long-time support for the Foundation’s brewing scholarship program.  We are well in to our second decade of collaboration with the Siebel Institute of Technology.  For information on the Siebel Institute, visit www.siebelinstitute.com.

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 32 brewing education scholarships and currently offers three scholarships annually.  Yes, that was 32 scholarships to date – look around and you probably know one of them!  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.