Alltech has decided to end its brewing partnership with Western Kentucky University which will cease production of two WKU-themed beers.
The Nicholasville-based biotech company collaborated with WKU three years ago to open a fully operational brewery that would support new graduate and undergraduate certificates in Brewing and Distilling Arts and Sciences.
Alltech leased space on WKU’s campus and provided the brewery with production equipment. Communications Director Susanna Elliott told WKU Public Radio that the company has decided not to continue the lease.
"I would say that's it's definitely not ending a collaboration with Western Kentucky University overall," Elliott commented. "It's just one aspect of the collaboration that just hasn't quite turned out as we expected."
Elliott called it a joint decision but declined to say how the endeavor fell short.
The partnership also included a $300,000 donation to WKU over five-year period. Alltech says it will still honor the financial commitment and continue other collaborations with the school from agricultural sciences to international business.
The end of the brewery partnership means that Alltech will no longer produce College Heights Ale and College Heights IPA.
The university says the certificate programs will continue and students will be able to use a lab with a one-barrel system.
