Portland State University partners with local Oregon microbrewery, Rogue Ales
Author:Scott Gallagher Posted:May 18, 2010
(Portland, Ore.) May 18, 2010 – Beervana has many fine breweries, pubs, lounges, and restaurants, but did you know it has its own University? Portland State University (PSU) has partnered with Rogue Ales to produce a locally made beer that’s dedicated to sustainability, Portland State IPA.
Jack Joyce, CEO and Founder of Rogue Ales, wanted to learn more about the University’s efforts towards teaching and promoting sustainability, so he went straight to the top and called Wim Wiewel, President of PSU.
“It all started with one guy asking another guy to have a beer after work,” said Wiewel. “It’s a fun way to illustrate PSU’s commitment to sustainability as well as our efforts to engage the community and develop mutually beneficial partnerships,” said Wiewel.
With a $25 million gift from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation in 2008, PSU chose to dedicate the funds exclusively to the goal of strengthening its role as a national leader in sustainability education. Funds from the Miller gift help support research into subjects such as sustainable food chains, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and green business practices. University faculty and students then partner with local businesses and organizations to put the research into action.
“I don’t understand half the stuff they’re doing,” said Joyce, “but I do know that they’re teaching people to think local—local transportation and local products that are locally grown, locally produced, and locally sold. They call it being sustainable, but we just call it common sense.”
Rogue Ales is an Oregon company that is owned and operated by Oregonians. Its beer is made with grains from the Tygh valley in Wasco County, and hops from Rogue’s own hop farm in Independence. The product uses bottles made by Owens glass in Portland, screen-printed by a company in Beaverton, and bottled in Newport.
“I had no idea how much Rogue went through to create a truly Oregon product,” said Wiewel. “The business is a good model for what we teach.”
“We’re part of the community,” said Joyce. “We think buying local, using alternative transportation, and just being a good neighbor are absolutely essential.” With this new product, Rogue hopes to bring attention to PSU’s programs and encourage others to “be better neighbors.”
“The bottle’s dedication sums it up,” said Wiewel. “Think local, buy local, learn local.”
Bottles of Portland State IPA can be purchased in retail locations around Portland including the Rogue Ales Distillery and Public House in the Pearl District. PSU receives no royalties from the sale of this product.
“Thanks to Rogue for this support,” said Wiewel, “and please drink responsibly.”
About Portland State University
Portland State University (PSU) serves as a center of opportunity for over 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Located in Portland, Oregon, one of the nation’s most livable cities, the University’s innovative approach to education combines academic rigor in the classroom with field-based experiences through internships and classroom projects with community partners. The University’s 49-acre downtown campus exhibits Portland State’s commitment to sustainability with green buildings, while many of the 125 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees incorporate sustainability into the curriculum. PSU’s motto, “Let Knowledge Serve the City,” inspires the teaching and research of an accomplished faculty whose work and students span the globe.
