A group of Iowa State students are attempting to bring knowledge and appreciation back into drinking through a proposed university organization — ISU Brewing Club.

Matt Nosco, sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communication, was introduced to home brewing about a year ago. Since then Nosco has brewed several batches of beer and soda.

Nosco said brewing increases his appreciation of the beverage.

“Instead of cooking a pizza, you’re making a gourmet meal,” he said.

As interest grew, he and his friend Charlie Nelson, ISU student and president of the brewing club, decided to try to make their hobby into an official club through the university.

Nosco said there are similar clubs at the University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin at Madison and Clemson University.

Nosco said when he and Nelson submitted their idea to the Student Activities Center the response was positive. However, the board didn’t approve the club immediately due to potential legal problems involving members under 21. The proposal is still pending.

Nosco said George Micalone, the director of student activities, requested the group draft a constitution and explain how the club would benefit Iowa State.

A big part of the club’s constitution would be a plan to ensure members under 21 wouldn’t consume alcohol at official club events. The group plans to meet at Olde Main Brewery in downtown Ames and have the restaurant’s bouncers card anyone attending the meeting.

It would also state that the university and club would not be responsible if a student under 21 brewed beer outside of the club locale.

The club aims to educate members in all aspects of the brewing process including the risks of drinking.

Nosco said that historically education has worked better than prohibition to discourage drinking, and the nature of home brewing deters irresponsible drinking.

“It’s something you painstakingly create over a course of a month or two or three months,” Nosco said. “You’re not making this to just go get hammered. This is something you’re putting time and effort into to enjoy and enjoy responsibly.”

The first step in the process of brewing beer is to steep the grains. The brewer decides on the amount of malt and hops to add to the beer to create a specific taste.

After the grains are steeped to a certain temperature, the liquid is stored in a large glass container. It is stored there for anywhere from a week to a month. The liquid is then transferred into another glass container where it is stored for a time and then bottled.

Nosco said the brewing process is applicable to areas of Iowa State’s curriculum including chemistry and molecular biology.

“Even agriculture, with all the wheat that’s going into it. It has a really relevant barring here,” Nosco said.

The club would not limit brewing to beer but would also make soda, wine and cheese.

Club meetings would include taste testing, speakers and presentations on the brewing process and technique.

Jeff Irvin is the head brewer at Olde Main Brewery in downtown Ames. Irvin said he plans to help the club by donating supplies, lining up speakers and giving advice about the club’s finished products.

Irvin hopes to share his passion for brewing and is willing to help out the club any way he can.

“It’s something I’m really looking forward to … getting a whole new generation excited,” Irvin said.

Jared Meisinger, a sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communications, plans to join the club. He said trying new microbrews has increased his enthusiasm for beer.

Meisinger said he’s fascinated with the technique of brewing and dreams of one day starting his own bar and microbrewery like Olde Main.

Although he has tried brewing before, Meisinger admitted he needs work. He looks to Nosco and the potential future club to further his knowledge.

Irvin said he has recently seen an increased interest in brewing in Iowa.

There are currently 19 breweries in Iowa, about twice as many as when he began brewing at Olde Main about five years ago.

“Consumers are looking to broaden their horizons,” Irvin said.

Nosco agreed.

“It’s really a movement that’s picking up all around the country and I think it’d be great for students at Iowa State to be on board,” Nosco said.