![a_okanagan_background_1.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_hero/public/2024-02/a_okanagan_background_1_0.jpg?h=c59284ca&itok=-jXJfWNK)
BC BTAC
British Columbia (BC) Beverage Technology Access Centre (BTAC) supports the BC鈥檚 beverage sector via research and innovation services and training opportunities to:
- Innovate products to meet consumer demand for on-trend beverages
- Foster adoption of the 鈥渃ircular economy鈥 within the beverage sector
- Solve technical challenges and identify and remediate issues
- Develop highly qualified and skilled personnel (HQSP)
The BTAC has a record of excellence in supporting beverage sector innovation in the Okanagan and its services are unique in the province.
We assist small and medium-sized enterprises with a need to develop and commercialize beverages that are differentiated in the market while maintaining environmentally sustainable production, commitment to EDI, and Indigenization practices.
Research and Development
BTAC R&D addresses five themes in a cyclical beverage development process with sustainability and product differentiation as key drivers, themes include:
- Product innovation and conceptualization
- Product and process scale-up for manufacture
- Regulations, food safety, and shelf-life
- Biproduct characterization for upcycling and re-use
- Water sustainability and wastewater remediation research
BC BTAC can pool resources and access a wide range of industry expertise to assist in product development to clients鈥 unique specifications. Have an idea for a new beverage? We can help to fine-tune the recipe and bring your idea to fruition.
Technical and Business Services
Lab analysis including chemical and microbiological testing of beverages for safety, smoke taint, pesticides, herbicides, and others. Coming soon, we will launch new lab analysis services including testing for metals in beverages; extended shelf stability; enhanced microbe detection and wastewater/by-product quality analysis.
Pilot-scale canning Coming soon, as the first facility to support test marketing with small canning runs in BC.
Business services including industry intelligence, market research, sensory evaluation and support to access grant funding.
Industry Training
Includes custom training delivery to beverage companies via workshops and webinars to transfer novel technology and knowledge to the beverage sector in various topics.
We have collaborated with partners to deliver training workshops such as WSET (Wine & Spirt Education Trust) training with the Statera Wine Academy and The Cider Institute of North America.
Coming soon, training workshops and webinars in sustainability, women in beverage, quality control, safety in distillation, environmental impacts, water and energy, and topics in beverage sector EDI.
![a_group_of_people_sitting_in_chairs_in_a_room_description_automatically_generated.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_landscape/public/2024-02/a_group_of_people_sitting_in_chairs_in_a_room_description_automatically_generated.jpg?h=da84f8d9&itok=IS4XtqcJ)
Student Training
Our mission to 鈥榯ransform lives and communities鈥 is lived out through the relationships and activities of the BTAC, which contributes to the provincial and regional economies, and offers students and researchers experience working with industry partners on real and current challenges.
Students are trained via:
- Experiential learning
- Enhanced Technical and Scientific (T&S) training
- Mentorship
- Showcasing student success
All students are provided with research onboarding training on topics such as equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice (EDISJ) in research and creating safe working environments, ethics, integrity in scholarly research and intellectual property, and research policies.
BTAC student trainees have access to the OC Careers Hub, for career development and job search resources.
Events
Gain an understanding of the role women play as protagonists in the beverage sector.鈥疎xplore how women contribute to every aspect of the industry, from production to commercialization.鈥
March 15, 2024 10:00-14:00鈥
PC113 Centre of Excellence 91国产视频 Penticton Campus鈥
OC Speaker Series: Ben Isaksen. Smoke Tain, Climate Change and the Beverage Industry
Ben鈥痺ill talk about BC Beverage Technology Access Centre, which is housed at the Penticton campus of 91国产视频, and its鈥 capabilities, smoke taint testing and remediation chemistry as well as the current state of the beverage industry and its changing trends.
Feb 8, 2024 19:00-20:30
Embrace the sustainable future of your business with the Biosphere Sustainable Platform.
Dec 15, 2023, 11:00-12:00鈥
Remote
Discover the Biosphere Commitment Program for achieving sustainability success by joining BCBTAC and TOTA in this free webinar.
Nov 29, 2023 11:00-12:00鈥
Remote
Latest trends in the beverage industry, including TikTok videos, policy updates, and market influences.
Meet the team
Years of experience
As of 2023, together at the BC BTAC we have:
- 础濒尘辞蝉迟鈥60鈥痽ears of experience in鈥痩aboratory work
- 50+鈥痽ears鈥 of experience in鈥hospitality
- 25+ years in project development
- 40鈥痽ears of experience in鈥administration and management
- 狈别补谤濒测鈥40鈥痽ears of experience in鈥beverage production
Omar Tamayo, Business Development Advisor, BC BTAC
Omar has recently joined the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre as a Business Development Advisor. He has a proven track record of over 20 years in business consulting and the development of economic and social programs, along with a passion for sustainability. Omar holds a degree in electronic engineering from Mexico and has also completed the OC Sustainable Building Technology program. Additionally, he worked as a research assistant at the BC BTAC.
In his role as a Business Development Advisor, Omar provides services related to project management and business development. He identifies potential research opportunities, business services, and facilitators, and offers advice on recruitment, selection, supervision, and evaluation of the business services, research, and training provided by the BC BTAC.
![a_person_smiling_at_the_camera_description_automatically_generated.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2024-02/a_person_smiling_at_the_camera_description_automatically_generated.jpg?h=ee678fd8&itok=BjrLZDT5)
Catherine Kubis, Executive Assistant, BC BTAC
Catherine Kubis joined the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre in 2019 as the Executive Assistant. In 2018, Catherine graduated from the Executive Office Administration program at the College of the North Atlantic in St. John鈥檚, Newfoundland, earning herself the President鈥檚 award for her program. While studying, she was an active member on the College鈥檚 student council as the Special Events Coordinator in her first year and as President in her second year. She conducted her work term in Kamloops, BC and eventually made her way to the Okanagan to specifically work for 91国产视频, where she continues to enhance her knowledge and skills in the administration and fermented beverage industry. Catherine is a proud and contributing member of the JOHS committee for 91国产视频鈥檚 Penticton campus and is excited to continue advocating and learning more about the fermented beverage industry in the beautiful Okanagan Valley.
![kubis_catherine Catherine Kubis headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2021-05/kubis_catherine.jpg?h=309161dc&itok=FO0VSEhn)
Ben Isaksen, Laboratory Technician, BC BTAC
Ben is the most recent addition to the team at BCBTAC but that doesn鈥檛 mean he鈥檚 a stranger to wine. He has for the last 20 years been involved in the Okanagan wine industry in varying capacities 鈥 from Sommelier for the Steakhouse at Big White to vineyard supervisor/cellar assistant for Osoyoos Larose to Filtration/RO Technician for Cellar Dweller to Lab Technician at Okanagan Wine Lab. His career began when working at The White Horse on Parson鈥檚 Green in London, UK learning to care for the ales in their cellar gaining an affinity for great beer. He focused on wine when he finished the ISG鈥檚 Sommelier Certificate and moved to the Okanagan. Not long after, he switched gears toward wine science and went back to school for a BSc in Biochemistry from UBCO. He furthered that with the Online Viticulture and Enology Certificate from UCDavis. When not at work, you can find Ben playing chef or working in his yard.
![Isaksen-Ben](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2021-07/Ben%20Isaksen.jpg?h=44fce722&itok=SYEZ7fzT)
Dr. Leonard Lermer, Chemistry Faculty, 91国产视频
Leonard Lermer was involved with the initial application for the BC BTAC and continues to stay on as a researcher. He has been both teaching organic chemistry and involved in many interdisciplinary research projects for more than 20 years. Currently he is also into his second term as the Chair of the Chemistry Department at 91国产视频. After receiving his BSc from the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Lermer obtained his PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry with Dr. Larry Weiler at UBC. He then did postdoctoral work in natural products with botanist, Dr. Neil Towers. Following this, he began teaching organic chemistry at UBC where he began doing research with a biochemistry group, carrying out the solid phase synthesis of modified DNA-based enzymes having sequence specific RNA cleaving activity. His skills in synthetic organic chemistry and instrumentation have contributed to many successful collaborations, colleagues ranging from botanists to neuroscientists. Leonard鈥檚 contributions carry on as he focuses his interests toward supporting the local fermented beverage sector with BC BTAC.
![lermer_leonard Leonard Lermer headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2021-05/lermer_leonard.jpg?h=309161dc&itok=Gvsf4oXq)
Danielle Robinson
Danielle Robinson is a faculty member in the School of Business at 91国产视频. She holds a PhD from the University of Guelph (2020), a Masters of Education from UBC, a Wine Business Management Foundation Certificate from Sonoma State University, and Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) level three. Danielle has over twenty years of broad experience in instruction, curriculum development, project management, community development, and the wine industry. Her teaching and research interests focus on regional economic development and social, cultural, economic and environmental sustainability, particularly as related to local food and beverage producers and tourism businesses. Her most recent work explores regenerative wine tourism and sustainability competencies. Danielle believes research and innovation are collaborative processes, so works closely with partners like the British Columbia (BC) Beverage Technology Access Centre (BTAC), OC students and community partners.
![danielle.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2024-04/danielle.jpg?h=fb6a3ec5&itok=hyZPICDH)
Morgan Martin, Biology faculty, BC BTAC
As a full-time professor at 91国产视频, I am dedicated to excellence in student education. I provide molecular biology, biotechnology, and protein biochemistry expertise to the British Columbia Technology Access Centre (BC BTAC) for research, and I have contributed to the training of 91国产视频 students in collaboration with the BC BTAC. I have been involved with the creation and fulfilment of student research projects with the BC BTAC for the past five years
![megan.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2024-04/megan.jpg?h=33b223c2&itok=MlKEubIf)
Janice Acio, Laboratory Technician, BC BTAC
Janice Acio is a Laboratory Technician who uses her knowledge of chemistry and instrumentation to perform analysis on fermented beverages at BC BTAC. Following her BSc in Chemical Engineering from University of Negros Occidental Recoletos, Philippines, Acio worked with well-established beverage companies such as Arterra Wines Canada and Coca Cola Bottlers Inc, to name a few. Her background in chemistry and 20 years of laboratory experience also allowed her to become certified as an Applied Science Technologist-Chemical in BC, where she also studied Environmental Engineering Technology at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). WSET Level-2-certified, Janice realized that winemaking is an exciting example of an applied science, leading her to enroll in the Winemaking Certificate Program at the University of California-Davis Institute. When not working with chemicals, you can find Janice enjoying her favourite Okanagan pastimes such as gardening, paddle-boarding or hitting the KVR trail with her dogs.
![acio_janice Janice Acio headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2021-05/acio_janice.jpg?h=309161dc&itok=6jpnTdDl)
Dr. Sonja Lloyd, Laboratory Technician, BC BTAC
Sonja Lloyd recently joined the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre as Laboratory Technician where she handles all things microbiology. Sonja has worked with microbes in one form or another for the past twenty years. After receiving a BSc in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of British Columbia in 2002, she studied in the United States for several years where she earned a PhD in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology at Washington State University and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Sonja鈥檚 studies focused on bacterial diseases of animals, as well as foodborne and zoonotic diseases. Sonja returned to Canada in 2011, settling in the Okanagan where she worked as a technician in wine chemistry at Bench 1775 Winery and Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. Sonja is excited to combine her passion for microbiology and fermented beverages and foods in her current position with the BC BTAC.
![lloyd_sonja Sonja Lloyd headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2021-05/lloyd_sonja.jpg?h=309161dc&itok=Y2zj9f4g)
Savanna Maddock BSc, Laboratory Technician, BC BTAC
Savanna has six years of experience as a microbiologist within the beverage, cannabis, and agricultural industries. Her areas of expertise include microbiology, tissue culture, and horticulture, In addition, she has experience with molecular biology and bioinformatics. Savanna is currently completing her Master鈥檚 degree at UBCO in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
![Microbiology Lab Technician, Savanna Maddock](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2023-05/Maddock%2C%20Savanna.jpeg?h=af080aea&itok=QIB6DXrV)