By Sofía García Vargas, Muma College of Business
What started as curiosity during visits to local breweries eventually led Brian Brown to help create the first University of South Florida–branded beer.
The USF St. Petersburg graduate worked alongside classmates in the university’s Brewing Arts program and brewers at Mastry’s Brewing Co. to develop the St. Pete Pilsner, a light and refreshing beer inspired by the city’s coastal lifestyle.
“I started visiting local craft breweries around 2016 and became really interested in how brewers were able to create such unique flavors in beer,” Brown said. “Trying different styles, and some beers with pretty wild ingredients, gave me a real appreciation for the creativity and craftsmanship behind brewing.”
One of those breweries quickly became a favorite.
Mastry’s Brewing Co., located in St. Pete Beach, stood out not only for its beer, but also for its community involvement and connection with USF’s Brewing Arts program: the owner is an alum of the university and teaches for the program. The partnership between the brewery and the university would later give Brown the opportunity to step inside the brewhouse himself.
Learning the craft
Brian Brown removing spent grain from a mash tun during the early steps of the brewing process.
The Brewing Arts program at USF St. Petersburg gives students a foundation in the science, techniques and business behind brewing beer. Through coursework and hands-on training, students learn the fundamentals of brewing ingredients, recipe development, fermentation, quality control and packaging.
A key component of the program is its partnerships with local breweries, allowing students to gain real-world experience in professional brewing environments.
“The program was a great starting point for me and for anyone interested in brewing, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home brewer,” Brown said. “It provided a strong foundation in the brewing process while also giving us the opportunity to gain real hands-on experience.”
Through collaborations with industry professionals, students learn how breweries operate day to day.
“That combination of classroom learning and real-world experience helped prepare us to contribute to projects like creating the St. Pete Pilsner,” Brown said.
Brewing a beer for the Bulls
Brown and his classmates put those lessons into practice when they began developing the St. Pete Pilsner. The beer was designed to reflect the character of St. Petersburg — bright, easy-drinking and perfect for warm days along the waterfront.
“Developing the St. Pete Pilsner was truly a collaborative effort among my classmates in the Brewing Arts program,” Brown said. “Our goal was to create a beer that reflected the spirit of St. Pete, something light, refreshing and fitting for the sand, salt and sunshine that define the area.”
With guidance from Matthew Dahm, owner and founder of Mastry’s, students helped develop the recipe and brew the beer.
“There was a lot of Bull pride and involvement in the creation of this product. From students to faculty and staff to alumni, so many helped to get this across the line to where we are able to provide it to the public and hopefully help out a great program.”
Matthew Dahm, owner and founder of Mastry’s Brewing Co.
For Brown, seeing the finished product is especially meaningful.
“Being able to look at the finished beer and say I helped create it is a great feeling,” he said. “Every beer has its own story behind it, and this one represents something bigger, it connects to USF, its students and its alumni.”
The new St. Pete Pilsner will be featured at the upcoming Bulls & Brews by the Bay, a fundraising event that brings together the community to support student scholarships at USF St. Petersburg while showcasing local craft beverages that honor the Brewing Arts program.
For Brown, the event is another opportunity for people to experience the beer and the collaboration behind it.
“I hope people enjoy a light, crisp beer that is perfect for a sunny day by the bay,” he said.