We believe that collaborating with the craft beverage industry
is an engaging way for both the industry and our undergraduates to learn more about the science of their craft.

Quality Is Our Craft

Analytical chemistry is the art and science of using instrumentation and methods to separate, identify, and quantify matter. In our lab we are taking this branch of chemistry and applying it to craft beverages. Through this application we use a variety of instruments and methods to analyze alcohol, flavor compounds, sugars, acids and much more. Our focus isn’t only on providing educational opportunities and testing services, we also have a robust research program that is dedicated to developing new and innovative analytical methods for quality testing in the brewing industry.

A Brief Overview of

Our Founding

The QC2 lab was founded by Luci Benedict in 2016. It all started from a couple of conversations with the Quality Control Manager at Allagash Brewing Company and the head brewer at Rising Tide Brewing Company. Luci had a need to find real world lab experiences for her students, and the breweries had a need for their beer to be tested for important quality control parameters. Lucky for everyone those two needs fit perfectly together. We collaborated with the Maine Brewers Guild to secure seed funding from the Maine Economic Improvement Fund at the University of Southern Maine (MEIF@USM) to build the lab in 2014. With MEIF@USM funding we built a lab that has top of the line instrumentation and equipment essential for testing and research, that is all run by our trained undergraduate students, and is a great resource to our Maine brewers.

Leadership

Lucille Benedict, Ph.D.

Founder + Director

Samantha White

Lab Coordinator

Current Students

Interested in joining the QC2 lab? Click here to learn about current openings and internships.

Quality Control Testing

Biology

I wanted to work at QC2 to gain real work lab experience and give myself an edge when applying to jobs. Plus the great people!

I love to be outside!

Cass Riley

Quality Control Testing

Biochemistry

At QC2, I have a chance to learn methods I didn't learn in my classes, and I can learn how a commercial lab runs which will help me in my future career.

My lab-mix dog is the greatest dog I've ever had. I named her Shadow because she follows me everywhere I go.

Huy Nguyen

Research + Method Development

Biochemistry

I came to work at QC2 because of my love for analytical chemistry. I enjoy being able to validate analytical methods and learn how a professional lab operates.

I am an avid skier. I've been skiing every winter since I was five years old.

Mikaela Kelewae

Alumni

Product Developer

Biochemistry

I love being able to do independent research and development with prototypes that I design and modify until they operate correctly.

I also love hairless cats.

Gabrielle Hamm

Quality Control Testing

Chemistry

I value gaining experience in the practical applications of science, related to beer, and how those techniques can be applied to different industries. #science

I’m ambidextrous.

Travis George

Quality Control Testing

Biochemistry

I love being able to give real life businesses the information they need to make better products while watching them grow & succeed.

I used to be a radio DJ & have interviewed St. Vincent, Twenty One Pilots, and Courtney Barnett.

Samantha SaVaun

Quality Control Testing Specialist

Chemistry

I enjoy the experience of applying the different techniques I have learned to help brewers with the quality control of their beer.

I am a hip hop dancer and in my free time I volunteer at a dance studio.

Kristi Hanscom

Research + Method Development

Biology

Having the opportunity to learn hands-on skills that can be brought directly into the craft beer industry.

Today, I work full time at Mast Landing Brewing Co. in Westbrook, ME as a QA/QC technician.

Heath Garson

Research + Method Validation

Biochemistry

I enjoy getting to work with so many great people and breweries during the setup of the lab.

I currently work as an analytical chemist for the Department of the Navy at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Ryan J. Michaud

Research + Quality Control Testing

Computer Science

I enjoy getting to work independently on tasks that require creative problem solving.

In my free time, I enjoy printmaking, particularly cyanotype and silk screen.

Zachary Rohman

Research + Quality Control Testing

Chemistry

I enjoy learning the qualitative methods used in the craft beer field, as well as the instrumentation found in most analytical labs.

In my free time, I enjoy mountaineering, and I hope to bag a 6000 peak this upcoming year.

John Meyers

Research + Quality Control Testing

Chemistry

My favorite part was working with the breweries because they guide and give importance to the research projects and goals, and the research results are directly impactful.

I am working on getting my Ph.D. in Chemistry at Penn State!

Ciera Wentworth

Research + Quality Control Testing

Biochemistry

I really appreciated the senior mentorship and the opportunity to present our work at the American Chemical Society Conference in San Francisco.

I currently work as a scientist in Lancaster, PA. I work within the realm of biopharmaceuticals.

Jordan Balsamo

Advisory Board

We are looking to expand our advisory board. If you're interested in helping to direct the future endeavors of the USM QC2 lab please apply to be a board member here: https://forms.gle/s65tNyh73CzQiuZFA

Merritt Waldron

Baxter Brewing Company

Elizabeth Ehrenfeld

Southern Maine Community College Faculty

Tom Madden

Lone Pine Brewing Company

Zach Bodah

Allagash Brewing

Sean Sullivan

Maine Brewers' Guild

Alumni

Research + Quality Control Testing

Chemistry

My favorite part was working with the breweries because they guide and give importance to the research projects and goals; and the research results are directly impactful.

I am working on getting my Ph.D in Chemistry at Penn State!

Ciera Wentworth

Research and Quality Control Testing

Decrepit enlightenment society chaos ultimate merciful. Merciful truth snare inexpedient sea insofar.

Ciera Wentworth

Research + method validation

Biochemistry

I enjoy getting to work with so many great people and breweries during the setup of the lab.

I work as an analytical chemist for the Department of the Navy at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Ryan J. Michaud

Research and method validation

Decrepit enlightenment society chaos ultimate merciful. Merciful truth snare inexpedient sea insofar.

Ryan J. Michaud

Research + Quality Control Testing

Biochemistry

I really appreciated the senior mentorship and the opportunity to present our work at the ACS conference in San Francisco.

I work as a scientist in Lancaster, PA. I work within the realm of biopharmaceuticals.

Jordan Balsamo

Research and Quality Control Testing

Decrepit enlightenment society chaos ultimate merciful. Merciful truth snare inexpedient sea insofar.

Jordan Balsamo

Research + Method Development

Biology

Having the opportunity to learn hands-on skills that can be brought directly into the craft beer industry.

I work full time at Mast Landing Brewing Co. in Westbrook, ME as a QA/QC technician

Heath Garson

Research and Method Development

Decrepit enlightenment society chaos ultimate merciful. Merciful truth snare inexpedient sea insofar.

Heath Garson

Advisory Board

Christie Mahaffey

Foundation Brewing

Sean Sullivan

Maine Brewers' Guild

Zach bodah

Alllagash Brewing

Tom Madden

Lone Pine

Elizabeth Ehrenfeld

SMCC Faculty

Employee one

Position

Contact us

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We believe that collaborating with the craft beverage industry is an engaging way for both the industry and our undergraduates to learn more about the science of their craft.

Quality Is Our Craft

A Brief Overview of

Our Founding

Leadership

Lucille Benedict, Ph.D.

Samantha White

Current Students

Alumni

Advisory Board

Merritt Waldron

Elizabeth Ehrenfeld

Tom Madden

Zach Bodah

Sean Sullivan

Alumni

Research + Quality Control Testing

Ciera Wentworth

Ciera Wentworth

Research + method validation

Ryan J. Michaud

Ryan J. Michaud

Research + Quality Control Testing

Jordan Balsamo

Jordan Balsamo

Research + Method Development

Heath Garson

Heath Garson

Advisory Board

Christie Mahaffey

Sean Sullivan

Zach bodah

Tom Madden

Elizabeth Ehrenfeld

Employee one

Contact us

We believe that collaborating with the craft beverage industry
is an engaging way for both the industry and our undergraduates to learn more about the science of their craft.