Elon University alumni Peter Ustach ‘09, Jeff MacKenzie ’78 and Toby Arnheim ’07 have an idea brewing.

In recent years, North Carolina breweries have received multiple awards for their beers. Forbes Magazine listed Asheville as one of the “Top Five Beer Cities to hit in the summer.” Asheville’s Highland Brewing Company has received medals at both the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival.

With the positive reputation North Carolina is earning in the brewing industry, the thought came to the alumni’s minds to create an official Elon beer in honor of their alma mater.

Ustach and MacKenzie are the co-owners of Pandora’s Pies and Fat Frogg. The pair has created establishments that contribute to life at Elon, and they said they hope their beer will be another significant contribution to the Elon community.

On behalf of The Fat Frogg, Ustach and MacKenzie will visit Highland Brewery Company to collaborate with Arnheim, who works at the brewery, to create a beer that is unique to Elon.

Fat Frogg is one of four bars in the country to have this opportunity, according to Ustach. He said he wants the Elon beer to be a symbol of school pride.

“We wanted to make the name something that was recognizable with Elon,” he said. “To do that, we had to find a name that would resonate.”

Initially, names such as “The Dr. Danieley Draft” were tossed around, but the alumni settled on the name “Maroon Ale.”

“Since Elon means ‘oak,’ we’re going to soak a red ale in oak bourbon barrels,” Ustach said.

The brewing process will use the barrels to enhance the taste of the beer. They plan to incorporate locally grown ingredients so it will truly be a product of Elon.

“It will definitely be on tap at Pandora’s Pies, West End [Station] and Fat Frogg,” he said.

Elon junior Catherine Leonard said she’s excited about the idea.

“I think that sounds like a really interesting idea,” she said. “I am always looking to see new ways the school and the community develop Elon pride, and an Elon beer sounds like a cool, new way of doing that. I would be excited to try an Elon Beer.”

Other students were concerned about the quality of the beer.

“That would be kind of cool, but it can’t be too expensive and it has to be good,” said junior Jake Liles.

Some students were concerned about the concept of the beer being associated specifically with Elon as a university.

“It sounds like a good gesture, but I don’t know if the university would condone that,” said senior Sarah Gilliard.

Maroon Ale will be available for all students of legal drinking age in February 2014, according to Ustach.