Flying Dutchmen Ale soars above expectations

Photo courtesy of LVC

By James Zilinski ’22, staff writer

The LVC Brew Crew debuted another rendition of the Flying Dutchmen Ale over Homecoming weekend.

Since 2014, the Brew Crew has partnered with Snitz Creek Brewery in Lebanon to create a new beer. The Brew Crew is led by Dr. Elizabeth Sterner, assistant professor of chemistry, and is made up of LVC students, typically those studying chemistry or business. They craft the recipe and market the beer while Snitz provides the means for them to be able to brew it.

“We went to the brewery and tasted different grains and hops and chose the flavors we liked for the ale,” Robbie Moul, a senior ACS Chemistry and Neuroscience double major and member of the Brew Crew, said.

After the recipe was decided on, they returned to the brewery to make it with the help of Snitz’s brewmaster. The ale was available over Homecoming weekend for alumni, parents and appropriately aged students to try.

“It tastes like Yuengling,” Patrick Stone, a senior computer and data science major, said.

Other tasters were more detailed in their assessments.

“I found it to have a nice clean aroma, refreshing taste, definitely a lighter beer given the low IBU factor, very drinkable,” Michael Mitchell, a self-proclaimed beer enthusiast of Baltimore, Maryland, said.

Mitchell was at LVC for parent’s weekend and has tried every Flying Dutchmen Ale since 2018. Unlike Mitchell, most students are only able to try the ale once or twice during their time at LVC.

“This was my first year trying the Flying Dutchmen Ale because of COVID-19, so I was really looking forward to it,” Sofia Pascuzzo, a senior digital communications major, said. “I don’t usually like beer, but the ale was light and refreshing.”

Flying Dutchmen Ale is still available on tap at Snitz Creek Brewery.