So long, Old Tuffy. NC State announces new beer partnership with Raleigh brewery

Korie Dean
·2 min read

So long, Old Tuffy.

After NC State University announced Monday it would end its four-year Old Tuffy Premium Lager beer collaboration with New Belgium Brewery, we now know that Wolfpack fans can expect to see a new co-branded brew at athletics events starting this fall.

The university’s athletics department on Thursday announced a partnership with Raleigh-based R&D Brewing to produce a co-branded version of R&D’s existing Riviera beer, a Mexican-style lager. R&D describes the beer as being “made for beach days and easy-drinking.”

The NC State-themed Riviera line will be available exclusively at Wolfpack athletics events and select retailers surrounding the university campus. Sales of the beer will generate royalties that will be reinvested into university scholarships, the announcement said.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with a great Raleigh-based company like R&D Brewing,” said NC State athletics director Boo Corrigan said in the announcement. “I’m looking forward to having this co-branded product at Wolfpack athletic events.”

R&D, which began brewing in 2017, is behind several other notable team-branded beers in the state: Storm Brew, the official beer of the Carolina Hurricanes; Mountain Brew, the official craft beer for Appalachian State University; Deacon Brew, the official craft beer for Wake Forest University; and the recently announced Pirates Brew, the official craft beer of East Carolina University.

Rachel Peterson, COO of R&D, said in Thursday’s announcement that the brewery is “thrilled” for the new partnership with NC State.

“This collaboration merges the passion for exceptional craft brewing with the energy and dedication of NC State athletics,” Peterson said. “This partnership symbolizes a shared commitment to excellence and the creation of unforgettable experiences.”

Old Tuffy and related merchandise is no longer being produced and is available on a limited basis until the existing stock is sold, the university said in an announcement Monday.

Old Tuffy, a New Belgium lager, hit the shelves in the first week of August 2019. The brewing company announced the Wolfpack themed beer earlier this summer, kicking off a five-year collaboration with NC State. The beer is available statewide and part of the sales will go towardÕs NC StateÕs fermentation science program.
Old Tuffy, a New Belgium lager, hit the shelves in the first week of August 2019. The brewing company announced the Wolfpack themed beer earlier this summer, kicking off a five-year collaboration with NC State. The beer is available statewide and part of the sales will go towardÕs NC StateÕs fermentation science program.