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Over 350 guests came together recently to celebrate the first 25 years of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) at Heriot-Watt University.
Alumni, students, staff and supporters all raised a glass to celebrate a quarter century of the only organisation in the UK to offer both Honours, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Brewing and Distilling. Guest speakers included Dr Pearse Lyons, President of Alltech Lexington Brewing and David Frost CMG, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association.
The evening, organised in collaboration between the ICBD and Heriot-Watt's Development & Alumni Relations Office, was brought together by our wonderful MC for the night, Frances Cairncross. You can view a selection of photos from the dinner at ICBD 25th Anniversary Dinner.
The evening also saw a passing of a baton as Roy Summers, the outgoing Chair of the ICBD Advisory Board, was presented with a commemorative Quaich by Professor Dr Alan Barclay, who has taken on the role. Alan will lead the board and work with the ICBD to expand and improve its facilities and the Centre’s research and educational outputs.
ICBD graduates are recognised across the world as having first-class education and training in all aspects of the industry. Notable alumni have founded many leading breweries and distilleries, including Stewart Brewing, Brew Dog and Millstone Spirits.
The next 25 years are already looking bright, with £132,500 raised towards a £250,000 capital campaign to refurbish and redesign ICBD’s premises. This will significantly enhance the student experience, ensuring ICBD graduates remain some of the best in the world. To find out more about how this aim can be supported, go to Our alumni - ICBD.