Appalachian State University is officially in the beer-making business.

Ivory Tower Brewery — ASU’s educational brewery housed on the bottom floor of the Broyhill Events Center atop Bodenheimer Drive — held a soft opening Oct. 5, offering six draft beers for purchase.

The brewery received federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau permits in November 2011 and N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control permits in July of this year, said Brett Taubman, an assistant professor of chemistry and one of the founders of Ivory Tower Brewery.

Taubman believes ASU is the first college in the country to sell its beer on campus. The University of California-Davis sells beer as part of its brewing courses through an extension program at a private brewery.

The brewery is part of ASU’s efforts to train students and conduct research for North Carolina’s burgeoning craft brewing industry.

In June, the University of North Carolina system Board of Governors approved a new bachelor of science degree in fermentation sciences at ASU. The interdisciplinary degree includes coursework in advanced chemistry and biology, math, nutrition and business, as well as wine production principles, principles of fermentation science and brewing science.

ASU students and faculty brew all beers produced at Ivory Tower Brewery. The brewery’s tasting room does not plan to open regularly to the public at this time.

“The brewery will primarily provide beer upon request for university functions, as well as distribute kegs and growlers to retail stores, bars and restaurants around town,” said Taubman. “I’m not sure how often we’ll be able to open the tasting room to the public, as our production capacity is limited, and much of the beer produced is used for research purposes. However, we would like to when possible since it’s a great way for our students to interact with and receive feedback from the consumer.”

The brewery recently launched a new website, ivorytower.appstate.edu.