The International University Beer League Table 2025

Following the mild acclaim for this league table a while back which ranked university spirits it seemed entirely appropriate to share the latest ranking of a different flavour – the all new higher ed beer ranking. As with whisky, branded beers are another way universities have come up with to help with fundraising to enable them to offer exciting beverages to their alumni, staff and students. All with the aim of generating income as well as building brand loyalty. 

There remain lots of issues around universities and alcohol and there are recent examples of US institutions ending their commercial tie-ins involving sports teams and brewers. But there are still plenty of universities keen to look at the opportunities for income-generation provided by branded beers. 

Virginia Commonwealth University, as reported some time ago by Inside Higher Ed ran into a bit of difficulty after launching a new golden pale ale, Ram Bam, despite an outcry from some in the university. A day later, the university decided to stop production of the beer:

Critics argued that the university was being insensitive by licensing a beer so soon after the death of a student who died of alcohol poisoning on campus during fraternity hazing in 2021. Some faculty, staff and students also pointed out that it contradicted the values of the university, which houses the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, a research institute dedicated to studying addiction and substance abuse.

So they pulled the plug.

No entry in the top 10 for VCU then so let’s take a look at the best university beers around.

10 Appalachian State: Yosef Golden Ale

Yosef Golden Ale is described as “a light ale that embodies the essence of mountain life.” It’s the ideal beverage for mountaineers (it says here).

A portion of the wholesale proceeds of Yosef Golden Ale will support the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, which combines an innovative and intellectually challenging curriculum with scholarship and service and engagement opportunities that employ state-of-the-art technologies. 

9 St John’s College, Oxford: Headless Laud

The first of two Oxford entries in the top 10, this bottled beer is named after a famous ghost and is called Headless Laud:

“Legend has it that St John’s College is haunted by the headless ghost of Archbishop William Laud, a former pupil and Chancellor of the University.

“He had the misfortune to be beheaded in the Tower of London and is still to be seen in the college Library, kicking his head around like a football.

“This English IPA (7.1% ABV), based on a recipe from 1865, has been conditioning since December 2017 and is now in perfect condition.

8 New Mexico State: Pistol Pete’s 1888 Ale

Fresh from its success in the spirits ranking New Mexico State University has a beer offering too. The beer is named after the Aggies’ official mascot and apparently there is no connection to Louisiana State University’s basketball great, “Pistol” Pete Maravich. The “1888” is a reference to the year the university was founded. 

7 University of Manchester: Tales from the Past

This British brew has been created using a new hybrid yeast strain created by University of Manchester researchers:

‘‘Tales From The Past’, created in partnership with Manchester’s leading independent brewery Cloudwater Brew Co, celebrates the University’s 200th anniversary and will be launched at its bicentenary festival, where it will be available to buy from the festival bar.

Supported by a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) grant, The University of Manchester team crossed Saccharomyces jurei, a new species of yeast discovered by Delneri in 2017, with a common ale yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisae, to produce a new starter hybrid strain that enhances the aroma and flavour of the beer.

6 North Carolina State: Old Tuffy

North Carolina State University is straight in at number 6 with Old Tuffy, which is, it says here, “a flavourful, easy drinking, light lager.” The good news is that part of Old Tuffy’s total sales “directly supports NC State’s Science and Fermentation program, student research projects, and the responsible consumption of alcohol.”

 5 Purdue: Boiler Gold and Boiler Black

Purdue University’s beer offer, as with others, also supports specific academic activity:

Boiler Black is the second Purdue-branded beer born out of a partnership between Purdue’s food science department and the Lafayette-based craft brewing company. Boiler Gold, a light, golden ale, was introduced last year. As with Boiler Gold, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Boiler Black will support the College of Agriculture’s food science department’s new fermentation sciences program. 

Go Boilermakers.

4 Louisiana State: Bayou Bengal Lager

This exciting yet subtle brew is ideal for game days apparently:

This pale lager derives its prominent flavors of malt, bread, and light honey from high-quality German Pilsner malt.  A small late-boil charge of Hallertauer hops adds a subtle herbal hop character, and low-temperature fermentation with lager yeast contributes low amounts of fruity esters and an otherwise clean, crisp profile.

3 University College Oxford: Univ Ale

This beer, from University College Oxford, is the second Oxford ale to make the ranking this year. According to the blurb:

Univ Ale is brewed for us by Chadlington Brewery, known for their Oxford beers including Boat Race and Oxford Blue. At 4.2% Univ Ale is a golden beer, with a subtle fruity aroma and crisp, citrus finish. It is available from the College Bar and on request at College functions and events.

2 Pittsburg State: Golden Gorilla Ale

Who doesn’t want a gorilla-based beer? 

PSU are on to a winner with their Golden Gorilla Ale for sure:

Joel Stewart, an award-winning brew master who opened The Jolly Fox Brewery in downtown Pittsburg , is launching Golden Gorilla Ale in partnership with Pittsburg State University as PSU’s first licensed beer. The seasonal ale will be available August through November.  

Stewart described the beer as “a light-bodied easy drinking golden ale that has great tropical fruit notes that make it a perfect companion for summer drinks or fall football.” 

1 Newcastle University Students’ Union: Registrar’s Ruin

Stu Brew is the remarkable operation that is a student-run brewery at Newcastle University. They have been going for over a decade now:

Stu Brew is Europe’s first student-run microbrewery based at Newcastle University.  We are a sustainable microbrewery, managed by students through Newcastle University Students’ Union. The brewery is capable of producing around 1000L per batch and is available at venues across the University campus,

The reason for their achievement in coming top of the university beer rankings is this unique brew:

Created to mark the retirement in 2022 of John Hogan, the legendary Newcastle Registrar, this beer certainly captured the mood. They truly are a very impressive microbrewery and richly deserve their top placing in the league table.

Are there other higher ed beers we have missed which might be competing for entry in the next ranking?