Jay Gogue, Interim President of the NMSU System | New Mexico State University
Stephen Taylor has been appointed as the new director of New Mexico State University’s Brewery Engineering Program, succeeding Associate Professor Catie Brewer. Taylor, who has been managing the Seidel NMSBrew Laboratory, initially began teaching the elective Brewing Science class in 2012 after a conversation with then-CHME professor Martha Mitchell.
Mitchell approached Taylor about his knowledge of beer following his layoff from White Sands Test Facility due to the termination of the Space Shuttle program. Taylor responded confidently, stating, “What do you want me to know about beer... I have a Ph.D. I can learn anything that you need me to learn as fast as you need me to learn it.” Since then, he has been teaching brewing courses at NMSU.
The Chemical and Materials Engineering (CHME) department collaborates with the Family and Consumer Sciences Department (FCS) in offering a course in brewery engineering. FCS also provides classes in food processing and preservation, which Taylor teaches.
Joe Holles, CHME department head, highlighted the regional significance of the microbrew industry: “The front range from New Mexico to Montana is a hotbed of the microbrew industry. It is clear to see the importance of this industry to our region.”
In 2020, NMSU named its brewing lab after chemical engineering graduate Frank Seidel and his wife Jennifer for their support of the program and its students. The lab serves as a center for excellence in brewing and agricultural product feedstock analysis.
Taylor's first class was "Brewing Science and Technology," which now attracts around 35 students each term. This course is part of NMSU's Viewing the Wider World elective requirement for all students. Holles noted that Taylor's educational background allows him to provide both historical context and technical insights into beer brewing: “Stephen has a graduate degree in chemistry and an undergraduate degree in history. He is able to discuss the development of different styles of beer throughout the world and add historic and geopolitical context.”
Additionally, Taylor holds certification from the Cicerone Program as a Certified Beer Server and has completed Brewers Association Brewer Safety Training.
When preparing for his first class, Taylor made home brewing a mandatory component after noticing it was previously an optional extra credit activity. He undertook home brewing himself before starting his first class to better understand novice challenges.
Since 2017, CHME offers an 18-credit hour Brewery Engineering minor on top of its bachelor’s degree requirements. Students pursuing this minor can participate in study abroad programs visiting breweries in various countries including England, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, with future plans for Germany and Czechia.
“The Brewing Engineering class... were due primarily to efforts by then CHME Department Head David Rockstraw,” said Taylor. “He saw an opportunity since beer brewing can be seen as a chemical engineering bioreactor undertaking.”
Holles emphasized how this program opens career opportunities for students: “The department entertains multiple requests from brewpubs for interns or full-time employees... This program offers another opportunity for our chemical engineering students.”
As director, Taylor aims to improve laboratory equipment and continue competing in AIChE Beer Brewing Competitions.
