Although UC Davis discontinued four of its intercollegiate sports last year, the university has partnered with Sudwerk Restaurant and Brewery to create a $25,000 athletic scholarship fund. The two brewed up the idea of a beer – the Aggie Lager – which would benefit UC Davis athletes.

The folks at Sudwerk Brewery created the golden, malted barley beer. Local Davis eateries such as Woodstock’s Pizza, The Graduate Restaurant and Sports Bar, and The Hallmark Inn began selling the beer earlier this month.

UC Davis officials thought this would be a good way to raise money for UC Davis intercollegiate athletes. For now, there is a one year licensing agreement on the beer.

“The licensing agreement states that $12 for every keg sold will go to (UC) Davis,” said Julia Ann Easley, senior public information representative for the UC Davis news service. “It is anticipated to generate $25,000 that will go to the scholarship fund for the athletics department.”

The money earned is not earmarked for one scholarship that will go to one student, but rather, earnings will be dispersed into the scholarship funds for UC Davis athletes.

“There are 23 sports teams and over 500 student athletes,” said Scott Brayton, assistant athletic director and director of auction, marketing and promotions for UC Davis. “The (Aggie) Lager will benefit them all in some way with the funds.”

The Aggie Lager, which Sudwerk Brewmaster Jay Prahl says is a golden beer that has a malted barley and an exquisite German Hops that gives the beer its flavor.

Brayton said the community response has been positive.

“We’ve been long-time partners with Woodstock’s Pizza and The Grad, and the other restaurants that are serving the Aggie Lager,” Brayton added. “We’ve established a relationship with them and it will help everyone.”

“The Aggie Lager has been very popular,” said Dee Clark, general manager of Woodstock’s. “There has been a great response and it has only been out a couple of weeks.

Clark said that both residents of Davis and students have purchased the beer.

“The community has a lot of Aggie pride,” Clark added.

Marisa Schaffer, general manager of the Hallmark Inn in Davis said the response to the Aggie Lager has been absolutely positive.

“Everybody is about supporting the university and the community,” Schaffer said. “We don’t actually sell it here. (The Aggie lager) is part of the amenities package when (a guest) stays here.”

This is not the first time the Aggie Lager has been introduced, with it previously seen at UC Davis football games and auctions, but it is the first time it is available to the general public.

“The lager has been nine, ten years in the making,” said Sudwerk Brewery Manager Trenton Yackzan. “UC Davis came up with the idea, so (Sudwerk) brewed about 50 cases and auctioned it.”

Yackzan said the microbrewery (produces) the Aggie Lager with high quality West coast ingredients (save for the German malt) and uses the brewing system that best represents what UC Davis is all about – community and mindful living.

“It’s a sensitive issue, with alcohol and campus, but UC Davis is renowned in brewing and agriculture and we wanted to show it commercially.” Yackzan said. “And the kegs are in limited quantity and in places with areas where you have to be 21 or older to get into.”

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) gave a general position on alcohol in relation to the university, but stated that their comments are not directed to the Aggie Lager in particular.

“MADD has established the position that alcohol should not be advertised to youth because a large portion of students are underage,” said MADD spokesperson Silas Miers. “MADD recommends that alcohol not be permitted on campus and that sponsorship of campus events by alcohol be avoided.”

“We’re just getting into it at this point,” Brayton said. “We need to see how the general public receives it. So far it’s been very successful.”

“Right now, there is just the one year licensing agreement,” Brayton added. “If the (Aggie) lager is a success, hopefully we will see it again in the future.”

The Aggie Lager is available for $4.50 a pint and $8 a liter at Woodstock’s Pizza.

The Graduate Restaurant and Sports Bar sells the Aggie Lager for $4.75 a pint

3rd and U Cafe is selling the Aggie Lager for $3.53 a pint or two pints for $5.71.

Original Steve’s sells the Aggie Lager for $3.75 a pint.

Sudwerk Restaurant and Brewery sells the lager for $3.25 a glass, $4.10 a pint, $4.25 for ½ liter, and $6.35 a liter.

For more information on the Aggie Lager, click here.