It’s no secret that many university students love drinking beer. But one Canadian school is taking things a step further.

The Province is reporting that the University of British Columbia’s Alma Matter Society (AMS) is hoping to launch a student-owned microbrewery — the first anywhere, according to its president.

"We're going to be the first in the world -- there are universities that run breweries, but no student unions, not even in Europe," AMS president Jeremy McElroy told the newspaper.

Creating a student-owned brewery might not be such a far-fetched idea.

“Students are heavy drinkers — the 16 to 25 age group represents the vast majority of beer drinkers,” Alan Middleton, a York University marketing professor, told the Toronto Star. “And students are a large portion of that group.”

According to the Star, the union got the idea from a 2006 survey in which students were asked what should be housed inside the Student Union Building. The goal is to take advantage of the university’s farm by using its hops for the brewery.

The microbrewery -- slated to be completed in 2014 -- won’t come cheap: it will likely add up to $1 million to the Student Union Building’s budget, according to The Province. However, AMS hopes to pay that off quickly. Its alcohol and food sales are approximately $1 million a year.

The Star reports that the union’s beer could be more profitable than the brands they already sell, because it would cost students less -- only about $2.50. AMS told The Ubyssey (UBC's student-run newspaper) that the union won't be selling beer off-campus.

According to Open File, the union still has to obtain a licensee from the B.C. Liquor Control and Licensing Branch.

Although UBC’s microbrewery would become the first student-run brewery, it wouldn't be the first post-secondary institution in Canada to host one. Niagara College operates a brewery that’s used by students who are studying to become brewmasters.

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