Feb. 1, 2023

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MILWAUKEE — Blue & Gold Brewing LLC, a student-run business venture launched as part of an undergraduate applied learning program in Marquette University’s College of Business Administration, has unveiled ’77 Golden Ale to be released and sold on National Marquette Day, Saturday, Feb. 4.

This private label, Marquette-affiliated craft beer is the product of a unique collaboration with Marquette alumni brewing leaders from Broken Bat Brewing Co., Gathering Place Brewing Company and Good City Brewing Co. Revenue from product sales will be split among the student-run venture and the participating breweries, with proceeds benefitting Marquette’s student-run ventures program.

The program is designed to select a cohort of students each year to lead the student-run venture and launch a new craft beer that invokes a connection with the Marquette community. As a required element of this initiative, the student team will develop a public service campaign with the participating breweries to promote responsible decisions around alcohol consumption.

The beer will be sold on National Marquette Day at Fiserv Forum and the Al McGuire Center, and in the Good City, Gathering Place and Broken Bat taprooms. The beer will also be offered at private Marquette alumni events that day at The Mecca and RWB Milwaukee. Limited retail availability is expected soon.

“This unique opportunity came from a group of Marquette alumni who lead craft breweries in Milwaukee and who have a keen interest in engaging with Marquette students to create a product to be enjoyed on National Marquette Day,” said John Knapp, executive director of Marquette’s Innovation Alley. “This type of innovative and immersive educational experience for our students is an example of how Marquette Business provides students with industry-driven transformational opportunities.”

’77 Golden Ale is a Golden Ale beer at 4.5% ABV. The name ’77 is inspired by Marquette's 1977 national champion men’s basketball team. This beer is a limited-edition product, with a set amount of beer being brewed.

In this first-of-its-kind pilot program, a team of four undergraduate students were chosen to lead this student-run venture: seniors Grace Pionek, Connor Nelson, Will Dales and Jackson Cosgriff. The students have been involved in every aspect of the craft brewing business, leading market research, product selection and naming, supply chain and logistics, finance, graphic design, advertising, marketing, distribution, and entrepreneurial/start-up processes. The participating breweries are brewing the beer and handling all operational aspects of the collaboration, including legal and regulatory compliance matters.

Marquette’s student-run ventures program is designed to transform students into leaders of positive change by providing them with hands-on experiential learning opportunities to launch, manage and lead business ventures profitably. Students are paid for their roles.

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

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About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.