The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the launch of UW-Whitewater Warhawks Light Ale, a beverage made in partnership with Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company of Elkhorn.
UW-Whitewater Warhawks Light Ale, a Kolsch beer made specifically for the university, will be sold at the Champions Club at Warhawk football games during the 2026 season.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with a local institution to give our fans something to enjoy and be proud of as Warhawk supporters,” said Ryan Callahan, assistant chancellor and director of athletics. “This is an exciting time at UW-Whitewater, and we hope that this beverage — enjoyed responsibly — adds to our positive momentum as a university.
“I’d like to thank (owners) Ben and Laura Johnson and their family for working with us to create a product that is uniquely UW-Whitewater.”
Duesterbeck’s, a German heritage brewery, saw the opportunity for a match with the university, which is about a 25-minute drive from the Whitewater campus. The oldest son of owners Ben and Laura Johnson, Makai Johnson, is a current UW-Whitewater student.
The brewery has been open for seven years and is family run in every sense of the word — each of the couple’s six children has a role within the organization. Its beverages are served at restaurants and venues throughout southern Wisconsin.
“UW-Whitewater has such a good reputation in Walworth County, in our community, and in Wisconsin,” said Ben Johnson. “With Makai being a student there, it just seemed like a perfect fit.”
Student-led design
The UW-Whitewater Warhawk Light Ale can was designed by Makai, who is an art major with emphasis in graphic design. He leaned into his relationships with other students on campus to conceptualize the design.
Several parts of the can design reflect his findings, including a “PAINT IT PURPLE” label on the floor where Willie Warhawk is standing as an ode to UWW’s longtime tradition of painting a campus road purple as part of the university’s signature first-year student welcome event known as Warhawk Welcome.
Makai’s courses in the College of Arts and Communication helped provide the skillset needed to craft the artwork for the beer.
“I thought tradition was important,” Makai said. “I took Dan Kim’s class in the fall, and he really gave me a bunch of great advice about trying to include deep meanings with simple text.”
In addition to Kim, a professor of art and design, Makai cited the influence of other art and design faculty members, throughout his college experience and development as an artist, including Assistant Professor Lilly Handley and Lecturer Zachary Zdrale.
“Everyone just helps you see the world differently and teaches you something else that you can bring to it,” Makai said. “The great thing about Whitewater is that yes, it’s a graphics major, but we do a lot of fine arts as well.
“My experience here has been really nice. Everyone there really wants you to improve and use what you have in the real world. The projects we do are based on something you’d actually do.”
Makai chose UW-Whitewater to be close to his family and for the graphic design program. He also was a member of the men’s track and field team as a freshman in 2024. He noted that a field trip he took to campus as a high school senior influenced his decision to be a Warhawk.
The Champions Club is a social area in the north end zone of Perkins Stadium added ahead of the 2025 season where fans ages 21 and older have access to a full-service cash bar. UW-Whitewater led NCAA Division III in attendance last fall as more than 50,000 fans entered the stadium gates, an average of 8,451 people per game.
The Johnson family is excited to see their product take center stage in the venue’s social area.
“We think back to college and tailgating and football Saturdays as something we remember, and we want to bring that to the next generation,” Ben Johnson said.
Duesterbeck’s Taproom is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays. The brewery plans to sell UW-Whitewater Warhawks Light Ale on site. Brewery Tours are also available Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. Plans are in progress to bring the beverage to locations in Whitewater.
Please note: This product is intended for adults of legal drinking age. You must be 21 or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. UW-Whitewater encourages those who choose to drink to do so responsibly.
Written by Chris Lindeke | Photos by Craig Schreiner
Link to original story: https://uwwsports.com/news/2026/8/28/general-uw-whitewater-duesterbecks-partner-to-create-warhawk-beer.aspx