Heriot-Watt unveils £35 million plan for a Centre for Sustainable Brewing & Distilling
Heriot-Watt’s globally renowned centre of expertise in brewing and distilling is about to undergo a 21st century metamorphosis to guarantee a sustainable and prosperous future for both industries.
The university is seeking to raise £35 million to build a new Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling (CSBD), which will embrace the latest green technologies and sustainable practices so Heriot-Watt can evolve its world-renowned teaching and research to meet the challenges of the future.
The CSBD will be a new state-of-the-art version of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD), which since 1989 has been one of the world’s leading educational establishments, with prestigious undergraduate and graduate courses that have breathed new life into brewing and distilling – of huge importance to the Scottish and UK economies.
Many of today’s best-known Scotch Whisky master distillers and brewers – including BrewDog co-founder Martin Dickie, master distiller at Arbikie Highland Estate, and David Wilkinson: head distiller at Edinburgh Gin – have studied at the ICBD.
The ambition is for the new CSBD to function as a living laboratory, with the aim of constructing it solely with low-carbon materials, and utilising the university’s iNetZ+ research institute to drive forward plans to access all of its power through clean energy.
Inside, the plan is for the centre to house plug-and-play brewing and distilling testbeds, enabling companies to trial new production methods before full-scale adoption, as well as advanced sustainability research labs to develop low-carbon distillation techniques and circular economy solutions. A dedicated entrepreneurial hub will also support start-ups, spinouts, and SMEs in bringing innovative products to market.
The CSBD will play a key role in skills shortages by training the next generation of industry professionals through its specialist training programmes, including Graduate Apprenticeships, executive education, and research-led industry collaborations, equipping talent with both technical excellence and sustainability expertise.
Professor Gillian Murray, deputy principal for business and enterprise, noted Heriot-Watt’s association with teaching brewing and distilling dates back to 1903. It was over 35 years ago that its brewing and distilling teaching and research facility – recognised by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling – was established.
“Ever since it has been home to vibrant research and unique innovation that has revolutionised both industries. Our teaching provides the perfect breeding ground for groundbreaking new ideas from the brightest and best students – from use of raw materials and fermentation to chemical engineering, bottling, packaging and marketing,” Murray said.
“Our links with business also provide graduates and postgraduates with the opportunity to apply their learning to industry, and provide the best preparation for their careers, many of whom are now thriving.
“But we have big aspirations for the future. That is why we are unveiling a revamped and revitalised approach to academic research into brewing and distilling through a new world-renowned centre for excellence, the Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling. We want to encourage people from around the world to help us fund this multi-million pound vision that sets the next generation of brilliant minds the challenge of finding ever more economically viable and environmentally sustainable ways of driving both industries forward into the 22nd century.”
Ewan Andrew, president global supply chain & procurement and chief sustainability officer, Diageo said of its reasons for backing Heriot-Watt’s plans for a Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling: “The CSBD will provide a new, modern environment for innovation, support the development of groundbreaking sustainable processes, and develop a new highly-skilled workforce that helps future-proof this vitally important economic contributor for decades to come.”
Jo Marshall, brand director at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “Over a century ago, McEwan’s founder William McEwan collaborated with the university’s very first Professor of Brewing, Emil Westergaard, to drive forward brewing innovation. It’s inspiring to see that same pioneering spirit lives on today in plans for a new centre dedicated to sustainable talent development and innovation. This centre will not only shape the brewers of tomorrow but also equip them with the business acumen needed to thrive – just as McEwan did generations ago.”
Find out more here: https://www.hw.ac.uk/proofing-the-future
