Why it matters: The partnership between the University of Suffolk, Humber Doucy Brewing Company in Bacton and the Students' Union gave students real-world marketing experience, with their designs now on sale at campus events throughout the year.
The details: Rebecca Mines, 22, won the beer pitch with her design 'Thirst Class Honours', while Adele Harris, 27, from Felixstowe, secured the winning kombucha design, 'Booch Brew'.
Both went on sale at the start of term for the SU's freshers' fair and have been available at various events, including this week's graduation.
The final year project in the spring tasked students with developing a complete marketing and communications strategy for a new beer and kombucha aimed at students.
They had to create names, design branding and bottle logos, as well as social media activities, marketing campaigns and related products such as branded beer mats and glasses.
Students pitched their proposals to a panel including representatives from the University, the SU and the brewery.
What they're saying: Rebecca, who achieved a First Class degree, came up with the tagline 'Manifest a First with a Thirst'. "It was really nice to see your work turned into a real thing. I'm applying for jobs at the moment and it's a great talking point in those interviews," she said.
"I never thought I would be able to finish or even go to uni because I had a lot of mental health challenges, so it feels amazing that I've finished university and even graduating with a First."
Adele designed 'Booch Brew' to give students a "chill out" alternative to alcohol. "I had no idea the drinks were going to be available at freshers' fair, I happened to be there and was pulled aside to be shown it was on sale. It's so surreal, seeing your names on something like that is quite special," she said.
Adele has since joined the Mental Health Nursing course but said the Business Management degree helped boost her confidence. "I'm shy and don't talk that much, but that really got me out there and helped a lot."
For context: Liz Cobbold, Lecturer in Business Management who ran the module, has a background in the beer industry and in brand management and design. She said: "Rebecca and Adele gave fantastic pitches which were of a standard I have seen in the industry, and seeing their drinks on sale now is so well-deserved."
Alan Ridealgh, who co-founded Humber Doucy Brewing Company in 2019 with his son, John, said: "We enjoyed the process from start to finish. Working together with the students and staff was great and we learned a lot too! We look forward to repeating this on an annual basis for the foreseeable future."
The bottom line: The partnership has given business students industry-standard experience and tangible proof of their skills, with both graduates now able to point to their bottled designs when applying for jobs.
