Video Records Spotlight- Charles W. Bamforth
Watch Charles W. Bamforth's Video Records Interview Here
From his arrival in 1998 to his retirement in 2018, Distinguished Emeritus Professor Charles W. Bamforth has contributed to every facet of UC Davis’ leadership in brewing science and engineering. In this regard, Professor Bamforth came to UC Davis with extensive training and work experiences that served as prognosticators for his more than 20 years of visibility and success as a leader. For example, following the completion of a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1977 from the University of Hull (Yorkshire, England) and service as a postdoctoral fellow at Sheffield University, he joined the Brewing Industry Research Foundation. There, he rose through the ranks to become head of its malt and wort production division. Next, he joined Bass Brewery, distinguished as one of the oldest and largest in England. Again, he rose through its ranks, serving as a director or head for its various research and quality assurance divisions. Moreover, he served as a Director of Research and Membership Services at Brewing Research International. He also received another degree from the University of Hull, a D. Sc. Accordingly, he was an enthusiastic choice for the Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting & Brewing Sciences at UCD when the position was made available in 1998. As his colleagues know him at UC Davis, Charlie has met every expectation as the leader in his field.
In research, he is high visibility as an author or co-author of research descriptions that have led to a better understanding of brewing from foam formation, malting, and brewing to flavor stability. In addition, he has been a leader in research communication and outreach as Editor in Chief of the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists.
Further, his research findings have been translated for non-academic audiences. Easily accessible books include Beer Is Proof God Loves Us: Reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing, Beer: Health and Nutrition, and most recently, In praise of Beer (2020).
In areas related to service, he led in the development of the Brewing Science program (introduced in 2003), served as chairman of the Food Science and Technology department from 2005 to 2008, and was instrumental in developing the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science and its world-class brewing facilities. As a testament to his international service, he was President of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD, 2014-2016) and recognized as a fellow of the IBD. He is also a Fellow in the Society of Biology and the International Academy of Food Science and Technology. Other honors and distinctions include the Horace Brown Medal, the highest accolade of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, and awards from the Master Brewers Association of the Americas, the American Society of Brewing Chemists, and the Brewers Association. His UC Davis campus awards include the Faculty Stewardship Award from the UC Davis Foundation, the Award of Distinction by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the UC Davis Extension Outstanding Service Award.
Charlie has also appeared extensively in the media, including on the BBC, Discovery Channel, NPR’s Science Friday, and presentations at the Smithsonian and the National Press Club. As a final note, his passion for brewing competes strongly with his love for soccer. Since 1985, he has written prolifically about soccer (news and magazine articles, websites). His book, In Keeping with the Wolves, evolved from interviews with 24 men who kept goal for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
More details of his remarkable career are found in his Video Records interview (Video 493, Charles Bamforth) with his colleague, James A. Brown, Ph.D., the UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education director of fermentation science.