A STUDENT is brewing up a successful future after taking up an intensive course at the University of Sunderland.

Canadian operations manager Andrew Kohnen decided to embark upon the course with leading Sunderland brewing consultancy Brewlab after a recommendation from a former student who has established his own brewery in Canada.

After only 15 weeks he has not only produced his own beer, but is now selling it at one of the city's public houses.

Mr Kohnen, 33, produced Kolsh, a German-style lager, as part of his assessed coursework.

Brewlab directors Dr Keith Thomas and Dr St John Usher were so impressed that they asked him to brew a batch to sell to local outlets under the name Canadian Gold.

His brand is now on sale at Fitzgeralds pub, in Sunderland.

Mr Kohnen is hoping to take his brewing skills back home and establish his own micro-brewery in Canada.

Dr Thomas said: "Students enrol on our course for many different reasons, whether it be to start brewing as a hobby or to establish a micro-brewery as a new business venture.

"We have had candidates form all over the world and when they can see their own ales being served behind a bar at the end of the course, it is the first step on the road to becoming a successful brewer."