What’s Brewin’?

In an exciting collaboration, this year’s UC Davis Tapping Potential Scholarship campaign features a unique beer developed by 2022 scholarship winner Chijindu Onwuchekwa. Chijindu, a brewer at Bature Brewery, Nigeria’s first microbrewery, has been adding her perspective to the brewing industry by blending traditional Nigerian ingredients with modern craft beer practices. “I hope I am able to inspire women in Nigeria, and Africa in general, that they can also brew amazing beer,” she said. 

In a nod to Chijindu’s Nigerian roots, the beer, Tapping Potential Pink IPA (named after the UC Davis scholarship), incorporates hibiscus and sorghum syrup. “You’re having a sip of Nigeria!” says Chijindu. 

To help bring her recipe to life, the Pink IPA was brewed by five regional breweries—Barebottle Brewing Co., Three Mile Brewing Company, Oak Park Brewing, Clandestine Brewing Company and Touchstone Brewing Company—who each put their own spin on the recipe. Suppliers CLS Farms, Proximity Malt, RahrBSG and Berkeley Yeast also supported the effort. 

Head brewer at Clandestine Brewing and alum of the Master Brewers Certificate Program, Ken Koupal, likens the collab brew to a hibiscus ale and describes it as “lightly tart with a dry finish and firm magenta color.” 

Beer Name: Tapping Potential Pink IPA 

Style: American IPA 

Specs: 6.1% ABV, 30.4 IBU, 3.4 SRM 

Notes: Lightly tart, dry finish 

Tapping Potential Pink IPA will be featured at the People’s Beer Fest in Sacramento, California. It’s also available in Davis at Three Mile Brewery, Sudwerk and Gunrock Pub on the UC Davis campus (pouring the Barebottle beer); Oak Park Brewery in Sacramento; Barebottle Brewing in San Francisco and Clandestine Brewing in San Jose while supplies last. Proceeds from the sale of Tapping Potential Pink IPA will go towards the scholarship fund.