Meet the Brewers

Every once in a while, life throws you a curveball. So it was in August 2024 when the door closed on my 30-year career in radio broadcasting.

Eager for a change of pace and new opportunities, I decided to follow my passion for craft beer and make the decision to register for the Brewmaster and Brewery Management program at Niagara College.

It has been a wonderful experience, an amazing opportunity to learn new skills and to make some terrific new friends in our awesome class of 15.

It is now time to take these skills into the workplace, and I’m excited to find out what’s next on my personal journey.

My classmates and I are currently hard at work to present you with a range of great beers that will showcase our collective creativity as part of Project Brew on December 5th. It’s sure to be a great experience. I look forward to seeing all of you there!

My name is Jon Wallington.

Born and raised in Niagara, I grew up surrounded by the atmospheres of Clifton Hill and Lake Erie.

Being a previous graduate from Niagara College for the Electrical Engineering program, I have a deep understanding of mechanical processes and numbers. Since joining the Brew Master program, I have found an industry I’m truly passionate about. Over the last year, I have been working in the Beverage Production Plant here at Niagara College as a Research Assistant, and I have also been a member of the student Board of Directors for NCSAC, enhancing the experiences for students at NC.

I love recipe design and creation as it allows me to express my creativity in a sensory playground. One day, I hope to run a Recipe Pilot program in a brewery or make connections with other Brewers to begin a collaborative brewing experience.

Hi, I’m Noah — and my brewing journey started in the most glamorous way possible: with a plastic bucket bubbling away in the back of my closet during university.

It wasn’t much, but watching that first batch ferment was enough to get me hooked on the process. After completing a business degree at Ivey, I realized spreadsheets weren’t nearly as exciting as stainless steel and yeast cells, so I decided to turn my curiosity into a career and enrolled in the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations program at Niagara College.

Today, I spend my time learning every part of the brewing process — from recipe design and fermentation to packaging, sensory evaluation, and quality control — gaining a deeper understanding of what it takes to craft a high-quality beer from start to finish. But for me, beer doesn’t stop at the brewhouse.

I’m just as interested in what happens after it’s brewed — how it’s positioned, marketed, and ultimately gets into people’s hands. Understanding that the full journey is what excites me most about working in this industry.

Please call me Bro.

As a short introduction I’ve worked in several industries; everything from food, retail, scrap and demolition to the Royal Canadian Air Force; after travelling across the country a couple times and living in a couple different provinces I’ve come back to Ontario with an idea and some secret family recipes; My aspirations are to be a distiller but to start that program I needed a diploma, so beer was the most logical choice to start.

My goal is to bring a new drinking experience to everyone by providing a variety of unique beverages using unique ingredients and brewing techniques to everyone, both locally and across the country and possibly even around the world (but let’s not get too far ahead of myself), using the skills I’ve learned in this program.

I look forward to keeping in touch with my classmates and hearing how the future treats them, whether they stay in the industry or not. And I hope that everyone who comes to our Project Brew has a fun experience and really enjoys the recipes that we’ve designed for the beers that we've all crafted for their enjoyment. Bottoms up!

I’m Chaebin from South Korea.

I left international trade to follow something more hands-on and alive—brewing.

As the only international student in my class, I’ve learned that beer tells stories better than words can.

This Project Brew is mine.

Hi, I’m Roman, a 24-year-old from Waterloo, Ontario.

My passion for brewing began when I enrolled in the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program at Niagara College. Finding a subject I was truly passionate about wasn’t an easy journey. After spending years in other programs and working jobs that didn’t inspire me, I realized I needed to pursue something I could genuinely enjoy and grow with. My father suggested I look into the brewing industry, and that advice completely changed my path.

Since joining Niagara College, my interest in brewing has grown into a true passion. I’ve come to appreciate the balance of science, creativity, and collaboration that goes into making great beer. I love the hands-on process of brewing, from developing recipes to understanding fermentation, and being part of a community that values craftsmanship and innovation.

Through this program, I’ve gained a deep respect for the brewing industry and the people behind it. My goal is to continue learning, gain more experience, and eventually expand my knowledge into distilling, exploring how the two crafts compare in flavour and technique.

Hey — I’m Tyler Neudorf from Grimsby, ON.

Throughout high school, I worked as a cellar hand at multiple wineries, and although I’ve never been a big wine guy, I thoroughly enjoyed learning the process of fermentation. I’ve always had a huge passion for beer, but it really started to grow during COVID when I began researching and purchasing homebrew equipment. My uncle originally caught the homebrew bug and quickly showed me how addicting and rewarding it can be. I loved the creativity and experimentation that went into each brew — it made quarantine fly by.

After high school, I originally had a paid welding apprenticeship lined up, ready to dive into the trades, but the opportunity fell through when there weren’t enough applicants. Suddenly, I was unsure what my next step would be. I didn’t want to settle for something that didn’t excite me — I wanted to do something I was genuinely passionate about and could be proud of building a career around. That’s when I started looking deeper into brewing as a profession, realizing it could combine both my technical skills and my love for creating something unique.

When I discovered Niagara College’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program, it instantly clicked. It felt like the perfect fit — a place where I could turn a personal passion into a lifelong craft, surrounded by people who share the same enthusiasm for brewing and creativity in every pint.

Look forward to seeing you all on December 5th for our Winter Project Brew! You won't want to miss it!

Born and raised in Niagara-on-the-Lake, I originally went to college to study architecture. It didn’t take long to realize that path wasn’t the right fit for me, and after stepping away from the program, I found myself unsure of what direction to take next.

Throughout my life, I’ve always looked up to my father, an award-winning winemaker and founder of his own virtual brewery. Watching his dedication, creativity, and passion for building something people can gather around showed me how powerful it can be to create something that brings others together. That early exposure to the world of beer and wine would eventually become a major source of inspiration in shaping my own career path.

After some time exploring what I truly wanted to do, I realized that brewing offered the perfect blend of hands-on craft, innovation, and the opportunity to create meaningful experiences. That realization led me to enroll in the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program at Niagara College.

What I love most about beer and wine is how they spark connections, transforming simple ingredients into beverages that tell a story. Today, I’m developing the skills to bring those stories to life, and I’m excited to continue crafting drinks that inspire people, bring them together, and make moments worth remembering.

Howdy! I’m Andrew from St. Catharines, Ontario.

I have always had an interest in brewing; My parents would bring with them as they bought a growler from the college. I can still remember looking up and seeing the graphic on the wall, showing the entire brewing process, with explanations for each step.

I joined the Niagara College Brewmaster program after taking a gap year. Since joining the Brewmaster program, I have learned so much more in-depth knowledge about brewing, even making a few homebrew beers. I love all wheat beers, but especially German and Belgian-style ones.

I am excited to share the beer I've been working on, as are my classmates. See you all at Project Brew!

My name is Kyle Stone, and I am a Libra beer enthusiast from Huntsville, Ontario.

I have been in the hospitality industry for 20 years, starting as a golf professional, and most recently, the manager at Reif Estate Winery, where my interest in the alcoholic beverage industry began.

My favourite beer is the next one, and my favourite thing about the industry is the people. I have worn many hats in my career, but the important title I have had is dad. I am a father to a 3-year-old little boy named Lennon and also a husband. My family means everything to me, and I wouldn’t be where I am without their support.

Hi! I’m Aidan, a 24-year-old Leo from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

With both Scottish and Irish roots, you could say an appreciation for good beer runs in my blood. My journey into craft beer began with curiosity and quickly turned into a passion as I discovered the unique flavours of local small-batch brews, exploring new styles and creative food pairings along the way.

Travelling to over 30 countries only deepened my curiosity about how different regions tell their stories through beer. I’ve learned that every region has its own story to tell through beer—and some of the best ones are told over a pint.

One summer, I worked at Tanner & Co Brewing, where I gained hands-on experience. The owner encouraged me to consider the Brewmaster program at Niagara College, and the rest is history. I also hold a Business and Marketing degree, which I know will be valuable in a brewery—whether it’s building a brand, connecting with customers, or helping a great beer stand out.

I hope to see you at Project Brew—my classmates and I have been working hard to develop some innovative and tasty beers we’re sure you’ll enjoy. Come experience what we’ve been brewing!

Winter Remedy is a smooth, malt-forward amber ale brewed with real ginger, Ontario honey, and a touch of lactose for natural sweetness.

The beer pours a warm golden-amber colour with a creamy head and a gentle aroma of caramel, honey, and fresh ginger. A balanced bitterness from Cascade hops supports the round malt body, while layered additions of ginger during the boil, whirlpool, and conditioning create a soft warmth rather than sharp spice.

The lactose enriches the texture and leaves a mellow, comforting sweetness that blends seamlessly with the floral honey character. Medium-bodied and gently carbonated, Winter Remedy is crafted to bring comfort on cold days — a beer that feels like wrapping your hands around a cup of warmth.

Smooth, aromatic, and quietly spicy, it’s the perfect seasonal ale to lift the winter chill.

Hey, I’m Jorja, and I’m from Bracebridge.

I knew from high school that I had wanted to do something that was science-related. After taking a gap year, I decided to take a Brewing Technician course, which allowed me to get an idea of brewing and the industry as a whole. The course included a two-month internship at a local brewery where I’m from.

I had met someone who had graduated from the Distilling program and recommended Niagara College. I chose to apply to this program to gain more knowledge and hands-on experience. I have been able to meet so many good people and discover equally as many good beer styles I had no idea existed.

My goals after this program are to develop some of my recipes through homebrewing, while travelling to as many places as I can to enjoy local beer. Cheers!

My name is Jackson, and brewing has been my passion for years now.

It started when I was taken on as a barback at Coldbreak Brewing back in 2019. After that, I worked my way up to a server. During COVID, I made my first homebrew batch with my buddy Cam.

Later on, I was given a position as assistant brewer at Coldbreak, where I learned the ropes and really considered brewing as a career.

The next year, I decided to attend Niagara College to further my knowledge in brewing. I continued to work while in the program and recently got a new job at The Merchant Ale House.

I love what I do, and I owe it all to Laura Garzon, my mentor, for teaching and supporting me throughout this process.

The style I brewed happens to be both of our favourite beers. I hope it makes her proud!

Cheers!

Hey! My name’s Liam and I’m from just down the road in Burlington, Ontario.

I started my post-secondary journey working and studying Philosophy, but quickly developed a passion for craft beer and a fascination with the process of making it. Homebrewing with my father only grew my passion further, which led me to enroll in the NC Brewmaster program to gain a professional understanding of the industry.

It has been an amazing journey this past year and a bit, and I’ve been surrounded by some exceptional classmates. I truly believe that a good beer can make or break a meal, so I hope to one day open my own craft brewpub, where I can express my brewing creativity alongside food pairings to elevate the experience.

Come stop by Project Brew, we’ve made some great beers that we’re so excited to share!