Brewed in the lab, poured at Bonesaw: Rowan On, Episode 2 with Matthew Farber, Ph.D.

In Episode 2 of Rowan University’s new podcast, Rowan On, host Karen Holloway steps into South Jersey’s craft‑beer scene with microbiologist‑turned‑brewing scientist Matthew Farber, Ph.D.—and the results are equal parts science, story and stout. From hunting for yeast on campus oaks to developing Philly Sour, a novel yeast first isolated from a dogwood tree in West Philadelphia, Farber reveals how curiosity, collaboration and a homebrew hobby evolved into a career shaping an emerging industry.

Listeners will learn about Rowan’s Certificate of Undergraduate Studies in Brewing Science (12 credits that blend production fundamentals with hands-on labs in yeast management, sensory training and brewery operations), and hear how students work directly with regional brewers through internships and special projects.

Recorded on location at Bonesaw Brewing Co. in Glassboro, New Jersey, the episode follows Farber’s partnership with brewmaster A.J. Stoll—from co‑teaching brewery design to building a pilot R&D and teaching brewery that could one day put Rowan‑developed beers on tap. The tasting segment features a nonalcoholic coffee stout engineered with light‑roast beans and a water profile tuned for roasty flavors—an on‑trend exploration of functional, low‑ and no‑alcohol beverages. (Bonus: Learn why water chemistry makes or breaks a beer.)

Beyond the pint, Farber spotlights sustainable, cross‑campus projects—like capturing fermentation CO₂ to enrich greenhouse crops—and the community ethos at the heart of beer culture: conviviality, shared learning and innovation with purpose.

Audiences can listen through Spotify, Apple and other podcast platforms or watch each episode on YouTube.