BioFoodTech has arranged for expert instructors from the Artisan Craft Distilling Institute to present a three-day workshop on fermentation and a five-day workshop on distillation.

“When local industry and entrepreneurs indicate a need for enhanced technical processing skills, BioFoodTech likes to find the best trainers to fulfil our clients' needs,” said Executive Director Jim Smith. “There is growing interest in craft beverage manufacture, and this workshop will allow Islanders to explore the possibilities of brewing, winemaking and distilling alcoholic drinks.”

The upcoming workshops will also provide an opportunity for local experts, skilled in equipment manufacture, brewing, winemaking and fermentation of vegetables to be introduced to the workshop participants.

More information about the upcoming workshops is available on the BioFoodTech website: www.biofoodtech.ca

The Government of Prince Edward Island is committed to making the province a leader in value-added food innovation and production. BioFoodTech is a vital part of this commitment, supporting innovators in the food industry as they take ideas from concept to pilot to market.

BioFoodTech has delivered a number of workshops on food production techniques – including fruit dehydration, dried fruit packaging, cheesemaking and artisanal distillation, in collaboration with several funding agencies and experts. These workshops are aimed at creating innovation by providing processing technologies to our regional processors and entrepreneurs.

Background

The three-day Introduction to Fermentation workshop will cover fermentation processes for microbreweries, wineries and flavoured vinegar makers, and will also introduce the fermentation of vegetables. The participants will benefit from the collaboration of instructors from the Artisan Craft Distilling Institute, the New Brunswick Community College, and BioFoodTech. Participants will have the opportunity to tour DME International and the PEI Brewing Company.

The upcoming five-day Artisan Distillation workshop is similar to an earlier distilling workshop coordinated by BioFoodTech early in 2013. It is a comprehensive course covering the fundamental technical aspects of distilling and equipment, as well as the business side: licensing, marketing, distribution and sales. Excise Duty, Canada Revenue Agency, and the PEI Liquor Control Commission will present information on federal and provincial licensing and compliance. The Community College of New Brunswick is collaborating with the Artisan Craft Distilling Institute by providing training equipment, as is Deep Roots Distillery, Cornwall, PE, and registrants will have the opportunity to tour Matos Winery & Distillery in St. Catherines, PE.