It’s commonplace for beer companies to forge partnerships with professional sports teams. Once the domain of big breweries, these business arrangements have extended to craft breweries, too, and it’s increasingly common for collegiate sports to get involved as well. Nevada’s CraftHaus Brewery is a recent example, as the brewery just announced it will brew the official beer for UNLV. The new beer is Rebel Spirit Golden Ale, releasing on May 27, 2022.
Home Grown Brew
CraftHaus Brewery owner Wyndee Forrest can’t wait to support the local University, a college he attended himself.
“We are honored to represent our alma mater with Rebel Spirit,” said Forrest. “The journey has come full circle with learning the skills to prepare us to run our own business, to now operating CraftHaus Brewery for the last seven years. It’s now time for us to give back to our University. Rebel Spirit drives us to achieve, persevere and triumph because we are Rebels for life!”
Rebel Spirit will be brewed year- round and will be available at all games held at the Thomas & Mack Center. The nearly 20,000 seat arena is one of the largest in college athletics and it will be serving UNLV’s new beer for all patrons aged 21 and up. A portion of beer sales will be gifted to the University, a definite plus for higher education and a great way to give back.
Partnering in More Ways Than One
Rebel Spirit is only one aspect of the UNLV/CraftHaus partnership. The brewery will also serve as a working laboratory for hospitality studies. Students can spend time at CraftHaus where they will gain hands- on experience in the operations of a brewery. Hospitality majors and others will get to see and directly experience the day- to- day functions of the brewery business. This includes things such as sensory analysis, brewing processes, and community stewardship.
Stowe Shoemaker, Dean of the UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality, says the business arrangement with CraftHaus is beneficial to all involved. He is thrilled to begin this new educational journey between his school and this first- rate brewing operation.
“This partnership with CraftHaus Brewery underscores the college’s focus on practical learning and our growing emphasis on beverage operations,” said Shoemaker. “The fact that our CraftHaus partners—as UNLV alums—are investing in the next generation of industry leaders really shows our students what the Rebel Spirit is all about.”
Get Your Rebel On
Rebel Spirit’s packaging label, inspired by the UNLV Hospitality College’s academic building, was created by Victoria Hart of Pink Kitty Creative. The beer itself is a crisp, clean ale weighing in at 5 percent alcohol by volume. It will be available not just during sporting events, but also on draft in both CraftHaus taprooms. Craft beer lovers can also find it in four- packs of 16- ounce cans at select retail outlets.
For more information on adding Rebel Spirit to your retail business, visit Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits online. And support your Runnin’ Rebels with this collaborative brew!
Oh, that is so cool! I think it’s amazing that they’re also doing research there. SO cool.
Hhhhmmm…the people at Crafthaus are very strategic, I see. This partnership will take them bigger places, mark my words.
This looks good. I don’t really drink much beer but will check this one. Thank you for sharing!
This looks cool. Imagine wearing the whole kits of this partnership and going to a beer bar haha.
This is a great read. I wouldn’t learn about their partnership if I didn’t read this post. I love that they give a portion of their sales to the University too.
I love their idea of supporting the University. Keep going more good deeds.