The Glen Hay Falconer Foundation announced today the two recipients for this year’s brewing scholarships to the Siebel Institute in Chicago. This year congratulations go to Chad Kennedy, the newly named head brewer of Laurelwood Public House & Brewery and Ben Millstein of Kodiak Island Brewing. Kennedy and Millstein will attend the World Brewing Academy’s Concise Course in Brewing Technology held at Siebel Institute of Technology’s Chicago campus this November.

From the press release:

The Selection Committee, consisting of Tom Dalldorf of Celebrator Beer News, Jamie Floyd of Ninkasi Brewing Company, John Harris of Full Sail Brewing, John Maier of Rogue Ales, Ralph Olson of Hopunion, Shaun O’Sullivan of 21st Amendment Brewery, and Chris Studach of Cascade Brewers Society were tasked with selecting only two recipients from a deep and talented group of 25 deserving candidates. Speaking for the entire committee, one member highlighted the challenge: “The group of applicants was just too big and too talented to chose only two. It was the toughest decision that I have faced in years!”

In making its final decision, the Selection Committee members were impressed by Chad and Ben’s demonstrated accomplishment and dedication to furthering their brewing skills. In the words of a committee member: “Chad’s accomplishments in a fairly short time are only overshadowed by his clear desire to succeed in brewing. Perhaps even more important is his understanding of the open and sharing nature of the brewing community and his strong motivation to give something back to it.” And for Ben: “Ben’s dedication to the art of brewing is hugely obvious. To overcome the obstacles he has from a beginning homebrewer in remote Alaska, to successfully found and operate a homegrown, Alaskan brewery is inspiring.”

The Foundation extends congratulations to Chad and Ben and sincere appreciation to all the applicants for their interest and enthusiasm for the brewing scholarships. The Foundation also thanks the Selection Committee for its dedication and energy and wishes to express its deep gratitude to the Siebel Institute for its co-sponsorship and its continuing support for the Foundation’s brewing scholarship program.

The foundation honors the memory of iconoclastic brewer Glen Falconer, who died in a tragic accident in 2002. He brewed at Wild Duck Brewery in Eugene, Oregon.