Novo Brazil takes students to school

Students from Southwestern College’s Fermentation Science Program have collaborated with NOVO Brazil Brewing to create Tzunúm, an Australian-style pale ale that is exclusively available on draft at the company’s Imperial Beach location starting today.

Tzunúm marks the first time students of the program have brewed outside of the classroom and in a professional brewery. The program started in Spring 2018 with a lecture class and the first brewing lab was held in Fall 2019 with a small, five-gallon system.

Tzunúm, which is Mayan for hummingbird, was named by the students for its lightness and summery features. It has a light golden color, steady white head and is 5.5% alcohol by volume. The beer is slightly hazy, and it features citrus and fresh lime zest flavors from Wakatu hops.

“It was such a privilege to see the eager students get actual hands-on experience in a professional setting,” said Novo Brazil head brewer Guilherme Hoffman. “It was a great, exciting moment for these beginner brewers and I can’t wait to be a part of more projects with them.”

Only one keg was created in Novo Imperial Beach’s nanobrewery, and Hoffman expects sales of Tzunúm will not last through next week. The participating students were Amanda Esquivel-Chacon, Fred Hafer, Zackary Lieras and Matthew Pineda.

“NOVO Brazil has been an amazing supporter and partner of our program, and we are very grateful for this amazing experience for our students,” said Southwestern Chemistry Professor David Hecht, Ph.D.