Beer Schools

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Asheville, NC

The Craft Beverage Institute at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is designed to support the rapidly growing craft beverage industry in Western North Carolina and the Southeast by providing curriculum and non-credit courses in brewing, distilling, fermentation and related business practices. The Institute prepares individuals for positions in brewery and distillery operations and management, distribution, sales and marketing, and customer service or to be self-employed and open their own craft production facility. The Institute includes a hands-on training fermentation facility supporting real-time learning and reflecting industry standards. Students are able to perform experiments and receive “just-in-time” instruction. In addition to brewing, distillation and wine making practices, students may vet their production output via sensory evaluations.

American Brewers Guild

Salisbury, VT

The American Brewers Guild offers two courses: the Craft Brewers Apprenticeship (CBA) and the Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering Course. These courses are taught through a mix of web-based classes, textbooks, videos and at home lab experiments. Completion of these courses requires one week onsite at a working brewpub and, for the CBA participants, a five-week apprenticeship at a brewery.

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC

The Fermentation Sciences program offers two sessions of a 5-day brewing short course for the professional as well as the advanced homebrewer. This course is ideal for those considering entering into the industry or business sector. This is an in-depth educational opportunity for non-degree seeking students.

The two sessions are: July 7-11 and July 21-25.

Auburn University- Auburn

Auburn, AL

Auburn University is offering an exciting new graduate study option leading to a Graduate Certificate in Brewing Science and Operations. This program is designed to prepare candidates for entry into the malting, brewing and/or distilling industries. The program offers an array of courses with emphasis in biology, microbiology, chemistry, brewing science, agronomy, facilities and operations, and business planning.

Better Beer Society University

Minneapolis/St. Paul

This course was designed to give students a higher beer education, educating them on all aspects of the beer industry. Here at Better Beer Society University, we pride ourselves on having students from all levels, so whether you are just beginning your exploration with craft beer, an experienced homebrewer, or an active member within the beer industry, we have something for you.

Brewing and Distilling Center, Inc. Professional Brewing/Distilling Technology

Knoxville, TN

The Professional Brewing/Distilling Technology (PBDT) certificate program trains individuals to become productive brewers and distillers in those respective industries. With technical and scientific classroom education, practical laboratory applications, and hands on brewing and distilling experience, including recipe development, the PBDT program gives the graduate an employable advantage in the industry.

The PBDT instructors have many years of experience as brewers and distillers and have a wide network of relationships in the industry to assist in job placement.

The management team has been producing certificate brewers and distillers since 2013, in jobs all over the United States.

Brewlab

Sunderland, UK

Brewlab teaches five courses that range in length from one day to three-month courses. Students receive a diploma in British Brewing Technology. Class sizes are kept small so that students may get the help and attention they need.

California State Polytechnic University

Pomona, CA

Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Extended University is proud to offer the Assistant Brewer Training Program as part of an ongoing partnership with Cal Poly Pomona’s Foundation’s Innovation Brew works.

The program consists of online lecture and 80-hour internship at Innovation Brew Works. This program is designed for students to gain the hands-on experience needed to be a successful Assistant Brewer in the brewing industry. Students will have the ability to match their availability with the brewhouse’s schedule for the internship. This is a 10-week long program. Students must be 21 years of age by the time of enrollment.

Students will learn:

• Brewery safety standards and hazards
• Chemical identification and handling
• Clean-in-place (CIP) practices and safety
• Production brewhouse operations
• Introduction to brewery microbiology
• Pump assembly and common errors
• Bottling and Kegging production
• General cleaning and sanitization

Students will receive the Certified Assistant Brewer certificate signifying the completion of a 80‐hour internship.

Central Michigan University: Fermentation Science Certificate

Mount Pleasant, MI

The fermentation science certificate at CMU prepares students for positions in the craft brewing industry. It provides students with scientific understanding of brewing from farm to glass, hands-on laboratory analyses, and opportunities for recipe development and hands-on brewing experience in commercial breweries.

The program usually takes one year, starting in the Fall semester. Students take two classes in the fall and two in the spring semester followed by a required internship that is usually completed in the summer.

The program is open to everyone, both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students. Students must apply to the program and be admitted to CMU. Entering students must have introductory chemistry and biology or permission of the instructor to waive these requirements.

Central Washington University: Bachelor of Science, Craft Brewing

Ellensburg, WA

The Bachelor of Science in Craft Brewing is an interdisciplinary program offered by the College of Sciences and will provide students with an in-depth understanding of brewing. The Craft Brewing degree is built upon a foundation in science and is focused on providing students with content, experience, and skills in brewing science, analytical laboratory techniques, quality assurance, and management. Additionally, courses incorporate hands-on and inquiry-based learning opportunities through case studies, pilot brewing, field trips, industry speakers, and research activities. The program prepares graduates for a career in the brewing production, quality assurance, brewery management, beer merchandising, distribution, brewing technology, packaging, safety, sanitation, sensory evaluation, and entrepreneurship.

Cincinnati State Tech & Community College

Cincinnati

Part of the Midwest Culinary Institute, the program offers both one-year certificates and two-year degrees in the Brewing Science area. Classes include Introduction to Craft Beer, Sensory Evaluation of Beer, Legal Issues in Brewing and Beverages, Brewing Marketing and Sales, Brewery Tourism and Tasting Management plus a wide range of courses for those training to be brewers.

We offer a one-year Brewing Sales and Marketing certificate. Starting in fall of 2017, we plan to offer a two-year associate degree in Brewing Science (pending state approval). A Brewing Lab Technician certificate and Brewing Mechanization & Packaging degree are being planned.

Admission Requirements/Process: All students taking BREW classes must be 21 years of age at time of enrollment. Students applying for the two-year Brewing Science degree must be able to work in a physically demanding environment including but not limited to standing in a hot and wet work area for extending lengths of time; climbing stairs; repeatedly lifting equipment and product weighing up to 55 lbs., and safely maneuvering by hand equipment that weighs up to 170lbs. To apply, click here.

City College – Montana State University

Billings, MT

The Craft Brewing and Fermentation certificate program is a 16-credit undergraduate program that provides an overview of biochemistry, microbiology, technology, and business of craft brewing industries (beer, spirits and wine). The program was developed with input of industry professionals and is aimed at developing a skilled workforce for the burgeoning craft brewing industries in Montana. Courses include lab work, hands-on brewing, industry speakers and an opportunity to gain experience with a local craft brewing business through an internship or special project.

Interested students must complete a program application with statement of why they are interested in the program. All participants must be 21 by the start of the 2nd semester.

College of DuPage Business of Craft Beer

Glen Ellyn, IL

Explore the craft beer business and gain the knowledge you need to get started in this exciting industry, with Business of Craft Beer Program offered by College of DuPage Continuing Education. This hands-on program focuses on the business of craft beer, with curriculum developed by key figures in the Chicago craft beer industry and courses conducted at College of DuPage. Program tracks are craft beer industry employment and craft beer entrepreneurship.

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

This short course includes information about barley and malt, hops, brewing water, adjuncts, brewhouse operations, brewing yeast and brewery fermentations, maturation, finishing and beer styles. It is designed to be appropriate for people who work in commercial breweries, are home brewers or simply interested in the brewing process. Some science background is helpful. Find out more.

Colorado State University: Beverage Business Institute

Fort Collins, CO

Beverage Business Institute offers workshops, certificates and specialized MBAs in Brewing Operations Management or Wholesale Distribution Management through a ‘hybrid program’ offering a combination of live classes and online “distance” courses.

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, MN

This interdisciplinary program is designed to prepare students with brewing and business skills needed to succeed in the Brewing industry. The five-course program is intended to provide students with a solid understanding of brewing science, engineering, management and service. Certified brewing and beer stewards have the knowledge for positions in beer stewardship, operations management, marketing and distribution and financial management of breweries. Some may set up, operate or maintain equipment. Others may use their substantial knowledge of items to sell goods for wholesalers, manufacturers, businesses or individuals. Skilled graduates may seek employment in laboratories, brew houses, brewpubs or small craft breweries – working indoors near enclosed spaces such as tanks or brewing vessels. Learn more.

Doemens Academy

Gräfelfing, Germany

Doemans Academy offers classes at the Academy for Brewing and Beverage Technology, which includes a school for brewmasters. They also have pilot facilities including a brewery, malt house and packaging facility for student to learn on and practice their skills.

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

Founded in 2015, EKU Fermentation Science Program contains a collection of courses that allows students to directly learn about the different aspects of the industry as well as experience laboratories that address the analytics and quality control for these products. The students that enroll in this program will need to be dedicated to the scientific and safety advancements pertaining to fermentation science, which will involve chemistry as well as biology. The Fermentation Science Program is a concentration in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Chemistry degree. The complete baccalaureate degree with the fermentation concentration is a four-year program where students obtain a strong foundation in different areas of knowledge in agriculture, chemistry, biology, safety, and business along with laboratory and problem-solving skills that can be integrated so students can actively engage in the industry.

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI

A B.S. in Fermentation Science at Eastern Michigan University provides the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a career in fermentation. Graduates will have a strong background in the relevant chemistry and biology, gaining technical skills necessary for better process control and for becoming a valuable QA/QC team member. The science is applied to practical fermentations in the production of beverages, food, and fine chemicals, and laboratory/instrumental skills are developed. Electives in business and restaurant management focus students’ skills to their desired careers. FermSci majors participate in mentored research with program faculty or in cooperative experiences in local breweries or other fermentation-related businesses. Find details on admission here.

Eastfield College

Mesquite, TX

Eastfield College offers a variety of brewing classes throughout the year. The classes will range from a Journeyman Brewer Class to Craft Malting to Technical Brewer. This will give professionals and avid homebrewers or beginners the opportunity to expand their education in the world of brewing science.

Escuela Superior De Cerveza Y Malta

Madrid, Spain

The College of Beer and Malt (ESCYM) was created in 1965 by the initiative of the Spanish Association of Beer and Malt (AETCM) in order to promote education and research in brewing.

Since then, has operated continuously each year and about 600 students have passed through its classrooms, laboratories and manufacturing facilities. The most renowned degree for Brewmasters in Spanish language around the world.

Flathead Valley Community College

Kalispell, MT

The Brewing Science and Brewery Operations AAS Degree Program prepares students for careers in the rapidly growing craft brewing industry. Through a combination of classroom lecture and hands-on experience, students learn about the chemistry and microbiology of producing beer and the business aspects of operating a brewery. Students will have exclusive use of the 3.5-barrel campus brewery for practical brewing (“laboratory”) sections, as well as the 5-gallon keggle pilot system. Practical brewing sections are capped at 6 students for maximal hands-on experience and one-on-one instruction.

Four semesters of full-time coursework culminates in Capstone courses in Brewing Methods. Students will complete 60-63 credits to obtain their AAS degree. With enrollment every fall, students will finish the program in 21 months for quick industry placement. Students are introduced to the brewing process, fermentation, and the pilot system, with an emphasis on safety and sanitation during the first semester. They may apply for internships during their second semester, and build on experience through introduction to brewhouse theory and the campus production brewery. Second year students focus on QA/QC, fermentation theory, recipe development and honing their practical brewing skills.

Front Range Community College – Boulder County Campus

Longmont, CO

Front Range Community College’s Boulder County campus offers a path to the vibrant beer brewing and fermented foods industries. By following the Fermentation Science academic plan, you can earn an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree with a Fermentation Sciences designation at FRCC. The AS will transfer, as a junior, to Colorado State University’s Fermentation Science B.S. degree program. Or, by completing the Transfer Agreement courses in Fermentation Science, you can move on to complete a B.S. degree in Brewery Operations at Metropolitan State University in Denver.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Indianapolis

Presented by IUPUI Tourism, Conventions and Event Management and the IUPUI Office of Community Engagement, the IUPUI Professional Brewery Operations Certificate was created due to the rapid global growth of the craft beer business. Participants completing the seven-course program will receive a Certificate of Completion in Professional Brewery Operations.

The certificate program is designed in seven one-day classes. The executive training will be held from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on class days. The total certificate is 56 hours of class training.

Any class can be taken individually, but the certificate is designed to be taken in the order presented. There will be some references to material learned in prior classes throughout the seven-course series. Anyone over the age of 21 years of age may participate. Participants are not required to be an IUPUI student and no pre-requisites are required. All classes will be held on the IUPUI campus or at Sun King, our supporting brewery, for advanced work on brewery equipment and beer processing.

The Institute of Brewing & Distilling

London, England

The Institute of Brewing & Distilling is the global leader in the provision of professional certification through its internationally recognized examinations. Qualifications are offered in a tiered structure from the introductory Fundamentals of Brewing and Packaging Beer up to Master Brewer. Examination centers are offered across the USA and Canada. Successful candidates receive IBD Certification.

International Center for Brewing and Distilling

Edinburgh, Scotland

The International Center for Brewing and Distilling is a unique research and learning facility that is the only place in the UK where you can receive your Honors and Masters in Brewing and Distilling.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo, MI

Earn your AS degree in Sustainable Brewing at Kalamazoo Community College, which can then be transferred to WMU. The AS degree in Sustainable Brewing is designed for students planning a career in brewing and brewing science. Students complete the Brewing Certificate courses and then, under a “two-plus-two” transfer program with Western Michigan University, complete sciences and general education electives toward a Bachelor of Science at WMU. This rigorous science-based program is designed to prepare students for employment in the brewing industry or other fields in the natural or physical sciences.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Learn the art and science of beer at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in beautiful BC! Students will study the science, production and business of brewing in the 4,500 square foot state-of-the-art brewery on our Langley campus. The curriculum, developed in consultation with the BC Craft Brewers Guild and brewmasters throughout the province, will involve learning brewing science with hands-on experience in the field. Students will explore the history of brewing, brewery equipment and technology, recipe formulation, sensory evaluation, brewing chemistry, and microbiology, production and packaging, sales and promotion, and management and supervisory skills.

KPU’s Brewing & Brewery Operations Diploma program is the first Canadian institution recognized by the Master Brewers Association for a standard of excellence in brewing education, and the only brewing diploma offered in BC. With our own custom-built brewing lab on campus, students get hands-on training right from the start. Upon graduating, students will earn a university diploma and credits.

Whether you want to open your own brewery, brewpub or go into sales and marketing in the brewing industry, this program will give you the education you need to succeed.

Madison College

Madison, WI

Attention beer lovers: Madison Area technical College now has a program for you. It’s offers a craft brewing certificate program. Students will learn about beer brewing and the science of brewing. The new program was born thanks to the recent popularity of craft beers and homebrewing.

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver

With the growth of craft beer in Colorado and throughout the country, our brewing industry partners have reported a need for university educated employees trained in brewing, brewery operations, sales, distribution, brewpub management and related operations positions. With multiple bachelor-degree and non-degree options, the MSU Brewing Program in the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Events blends the art and science of brewing beer with the hospitality knowledge, management expertise and operational skills desired by the beer industry. The program supports students pursuing their first degree, those wanting to enhance a prior degree or those seeking professional or personal development in the field. Our program, located in the heart of downtown Denver, goes beyond traditional classroom learning to provide opportunities for hands-on experiences within the Colorado craft and macro brewing industry. Students will learn on Tivoli Brewing’s new 30-barrel production brewhouse on campus, as well as engage with breweries, restaurants and distributors throughout the Front Range and Rocky Mountain region.

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM

NMSBrew offers a comprehensive program to prepare students for careers across the brewing industry, and with which to provide research and analytical services to the industry. The program includes (i) a minor of study education program in chemical engineering; (ii) a dual-fermenter 1-barrel stainless steel brewery providing hands-on training in brewery operations; (iii) a full-service beer characterization analytical laboratory; (iv) summer training workshops; (v) international brewery studies; and (vi) an industry pipeline of highly-trained student interns and permanent employees.

Niagara College

Niagara Falls, Ontario

The Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program prepares graduates for employment in the expanding brewery, microbrewery and brewpub industries. The program provides significant hands-on training on-site and includes specialized instruction in brewing technology, brewery operations, sales management and advanced business applications specific to beer-related or brewery-related business sectors.

Olds College Brewery

Alberta, Canada

The rising popularity of craft beer houses and products, specialty beer-making workshops, and beer-tasting events continues to generate rampant growth in the brewing scene and gives the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations program broad spectrum appeal. The Brewmaster and Brewery Operations program targets a diverse range of enthusiasts and professionals who see this as a valuable career opportunity in a vibrant and continually growing industry.

Learn the art, science and the business of brewing in our new 2,300 square foot state-of-the-art facility from staff with extensive experience in the brewery business. The Brewmaster and Brewery Operations program provides hands-on training and includes researching and developing recipes along with sourcing locally grown materials in our small pilot set-ups. Our retail outlet adjacent to the teaching brewery will provide you with the opportunity to connect with prospective customers.

In two years the Brewmaster students will have received a solid grounding in technical, analytical, business and marketing skills developed under the direction of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute (CFWI). In addition to the technical elements you will also be taught the marketing and entrepreneurial skills that are critical for your success in the world of brewing. It is now being offered for the first time in Alberta by Olds College in collaboration with Ontario’s Niagara College.

Oregon State University – Professional and Continuing Education and Fermentation Science

Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University’s Professional and Continuing Education and Fermentation Science program present Northwest Beer and Cider Sessions designed for both industry professionals and entrepreneurs.  Beer and cider sessions are taught by fermentation specialists, brewery and cidery professionals, equipment suppliers, legal experts and others. Find a course near you!

Paul Smith’s College

Paul Smiths, NY

Paul Smith’s College offers a minor in craft-beer studies.

The minor prepares students for careers in micro and craft brewing. “Although hands-on, practical brewing will be an aspect of the minor, the main intent is not to create beer brewers,” said Prof. Joe Conto. “Rather, the goal is to prepare students for all the management, administrative and operations opportunities the craft-beer industry has created and supports.”

Students who sign up for the minor at Paul Smith’s College will take a collection of business courses in management, marketing, advertising and promotion, in addition to practical coursework in brewing and the business of beer. Students will have the opportunity to study diverse aspects of the industry, including different types of breweries, brewpubs, specialty retail beer stores and the sales and distribution of craft beers to restaurants, bars and other outlets. The education will be rounded out with guest speakers featuring industry professionals and site visits to regional beer-related firms.

Portland State University

Portland, OR

In this comprehensive online program from Portland State University, you will learn from local brewers and distillers, PSU School of Business faculty, and finance and accounting experts who specialize in the craft beverage business.

The non-credit curriculum provides a thorough overview of the processes that go into making and selling craft beverages, including basic business principles, how to develop your brand, marketing and distribution strategies, and all of the financing, legal, and accounting issues faced by craft beverage businesses everyday. By the end of the program you will have an investor-ready business plan for your own craft beverage business.

The four certificate courses are: Basic Business for Craft Beverages, Craft Beverage Business Management, Strategic Craft Beverage Marketing and Finance and Accounting for the Craft Brewery.

In addition to the four online courses, they are offering an optional Craft Beverage Immersion Weekend in Portland, Oregon (aka Beervana, Beer City USA, Beertopia, you get the point).

Local breweries/distilleries/suppliers participating in this program include Rogue, Widmer, Migration Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Captured by Porches, Bull Run Distilling, Great Western Malting, JV Northwest and many others!

The Business of Craft Brewing program is designed for anyone with an interest in the business side of craft beverages, from grower to glass. Our focus is primarily on craft brewing, but we include business models for distilleries and alcoholic cider facilities as well.

Prud’homme Beer Certification

Toronto, Canada

Prud’homme Beer Certification provides a well-structured, unbiased look at the world of beer. It covers an in-depth look from the history, styles and taste profiles of beer as well as cooking with beer and food pairings. Prud’homme Beer Certification® provides a fun and engaging classroom atmosphere in which to enhance your knowledge of beer. Prud’homme (proo-DOHM) is translated as a master craftsman or expert.

Regis University

Denver

The Certificate in Applied Craft Brewing draws support from local brewers serving on our Professional Brewing Advisory Board. We’ve concocted a hands-on program that will equip you with the skills to become a master brewer and certified beer judge, or simply improve your home or craft brewery skills.

The Certificate in Applied Craft Brewing is a 12-month, part-time program. A new group of students starts once a year, in August. Courses are taught in the evenings allowing those with full-time employment the opportunity to enroll. This program is perfect for those looking to refine their skills as master brewers or break into the rapidly growing craft beer industry. Classes are limited to 24 students to ensure every student gets to participate in laboratory exercises.

San Diego State University Global Campus

San Diego

SDSU Global Campus offers a Professional Certificate in the Business of Craft Beer. The program will educate students on all aspects of the craft beer industry through interactive and hands-on learning.

Program instructors are top leaders and industry experts who will explore craft beer’s past and present history, current trends, the complexities of the business side of the industry and more. Courses offered are held at SDSU and onsite at local breweries, they include: Exploring Craft Beer, Beer Styles I and II, Brewery Startup I and II, Marketing Craft Beer, Beer and Food Pairing, Beer Management/Beer List Creation and Sales and Distribution.

Course sessions run from 6-8 weeks and are held once a week from 6-9pm. Participants are able to earn a Concentration/Specialization and Level II Accelerated Certificate by completing more courses outlined by the program. See the Business of Craft Beer informational video and visit the Professional Certificate website for more information.

Schoolcraft College

Livonia, MI

Brewing & Distillation Technology Certificate | This 24 credit hour, 7 class program is intended for those interested in starting a career in brewing, expanding their current knowledge and skills, or considering opening a brewpub or microbrewery. The program was designed by craft beverage professionals to meet industry standards and needs. It introduces the science, operation, business, finishing, packaging, sensory side & service of beer and distilled spirits & prepares the student for employment in many positions in a craft beverage operation.

Students learn on the on-campus 7BBL brewhouse with bottle & can packaging facilities and a functioning 10 tap brewpub.

One can take individual classes.

Siebel Institute

Chicago

The Siebel Institute offers a myriad of courses ranging from a few days to a few weeks. Their large programs are the International Diploma in Brewing Technology (IDBT), a 12-week program that includes time at their Chicago campus and the Doemens Academy in Germany and the Master Brewer Program, which adds eight weeks of Advance Brewing Techniques to the IDBT program. Siebel has the distinction of being an entirely brewing focused school. The faculty is excellent and includes many extremely knowledgeable industry professionals.

Skagit Valley College’s Cardinal Craft Brewing Academy

Mount Vernon, WA

SVC’s Cardinal Craft Brewing Academy is unique in Washington. Founded in 2016, our program provides an overview of the craft brewery business—from grain to glass. The certificate program is structured to help you learn brew science theory through hands-on experience in the brew lab and at local breweries. The program includes industry professionals in the classroom, industry tours, and an internship experience with regional breweries.

UC Davis Malting and Brewing Science Program

Davis, CA

The Malting and Brewing Science program on the UC Davis campus offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study under, and do research with, faculty with very many years of academic and industrial experience in brewing internationally. The campus is blessed with one large and four small brewing systems housed within a purpose-built $10 million building. There is also a dedicated research laboratory devoted to pursuing cutting edge investigations.

At UC Davis there is also a series of shorter Extension classes, ranging from the one-week Introduction to Practical Brewing through to the five-month Master Brewers Program.

UC Davis Extension

Sacramento, CA

Graduates of UC Davis Extension‘s world-renowned Master Brewers and Professional Brewers Certificate programs gain unparalleled expertise in brewing science, technology and engineering. The only North American curriculum accredited by London’s prestigious Institute of Brewing and Distilling, these programs produce today’s industry leaders. Discover the power of the University of California!

UCLA Extension

Los Angeles

Called “A Class of Beer: An Overview of the Craft Brewing Renaissance,” the class will teach you all about the history of brewing, the origins of the U.S. craft beer revolution and the how-tos of beer appreciation, from brewing to tasting to judging to food pairing. A portion of the class is dedicated to the business of beer — including starting and running a brewery, opening a beer-centric business and more. It’s being offered as part of the restaurant and wine education management programs in the Business and Management department.

“A Class of Beer” is being taught by Tomm Carroll, a beer expert, certified beer judge and L.A.’s original beer journalist, who has been writing about the city’s craft beer scene since its infancy. He’s a longtime contributor to Celebrator and has an ongoing column in Beer Paper L.A. called “L.A. B.C.” (L.A. Before Craft).

According to the class syllabus, Carroll will not only teach students to differentiate between a wide range of beer styles through a host of in-class tasting sessions but he’ll also conduct field trips throughout the city to breweries, craft beer bars, bottle shops and taprooms, where students will learn from a host of local experts on the world’s most popular beverage.

UC San Diego Extension

San Diego

Brewers bring expertise from a diverse array of fields including engineering, chemistry, microbiology, physics and business, and must be able to apply that knowledge on a daily basis. The UC San Diego Extension Brewing program curriculum provides students with the technical skill and knowledge to select raw materials, operate the brewhouse for wort production, manage yeast and fermentation processes, and finish and package the product, all to the highest industry standards. The business curriculum provides graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to administer all financial and other operations of a brewery.

Taught by leading professional brewers and other industry experts, the UC San Diego Extension Brewing program is unique because it’s a part-time, evening/weekend program that offers an authentic career path for entry-level brewing professionals at a reasonable cost and rate of completion.

The program can be completed in 18-24 months, depending on the number of courses a student chooses to take each quarter.

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO

The Brewing Laboratory Sciences Certificate at the University of Northern Colorado provides a theoretical background in brewing, the brewing process, and in laboratory analysis of malt, wort and beer components. American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) laboratory methods and their application to a quality control/quality assurance program in an operational microbrewery are key features of the intensive practical experience associated with the program.

This certificate consists of three courses taken in sequence: The first course is taken online during the spring semester (January to May). The applied courses at the UNC brewery and lab will be completed back-to-back during the first six-week summer session on-campus in Greeley. You will attend class and contribute to beer production and testing Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for three weeks for each course.

You must meet the University of Northern Colorado undergraduate admission requirements for the academic year for which you are applying. You must be at least 21 years old by the beginning of the summer face-to-face courses. Strong candidates will have earned a C or higher grade in a college level course in at least two out of three of the following categories of coursework prior to beginning the certificate program: mathematics (college algebra or higher); science (preferably biology or chemistry); logic and reasoning. You do not need to have any prior knowledge of beer or brewing.

University of Richmond

Richmond, VA

The Beer Brewer Professional Certificate program, offered by University of Richmond’s School of Professional & Continuing Studies, guides students through the entire craft brewing business, from procuring high quality ingredients and raw materials through the proper handling, processing, packaging and distribution of the final product. The program highlights local, sustainable practices by partnering with regional suppliers, breweries and distributors. Students who complete the certificate program will be well prepared to enter the craft brewing industry in a variety of roles.

University of South Florida Saint Petersburgh

St. Petersburgh, FL

The USFSP Brewing Arts program is designed to teach participants all aspects of the brewing process and includes lectures in brewing science, engineering, and the business of beer. It consists of ten online instructional modules taught by experts and professionals in the field followed by a culminating experience in a local brewery where students can apply the knowledge learned in the lectures through hands on training. We are currently recognized by the MBAA.

University of the Sciences

Philadelphia

Good beer doesn’t happen by accident. Brewing is a science. And nobody knows science better than we do. We’re uniquely positioned to offer the mid-Atlantic region’s first Brewing Science Certificate—and with it a direct pathway to employment and career advancement.

Our post-baccalaureate, 18-credit program delves deep into the biology, chemistry, physics, and math of creating the perfect pint of beer. You will benefit from a team teaching model that combines USciences faculty and facilities with experts from the brewing industry. This exposes you to: Practical information and techniques, valuable industry connections, and hands-on experience in cutting-edge on-site pilot brew lab.

Keeping your schedule in mind, we offer flexibility with evening classes and a 1+ or 2+ year(s) path to coursework completion. Following your course completion, you will participate in an internship with one of our exceptional local brewery partners.

University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point

Stevens Point, WI

This one and a half-day course is catered to commercial craft brewers getting more involved in the microbiological aspects of quality control, as well as home brewers who want to better understand aspects of production.

Students will learn essential techniques and protocols for managing yeast and bacteria in the brewing process, microscopic staining and observation techniques, culture media preparation, bacterial testing methods, and yeast culture and quantitation methods. No prior experience is necessary and class sizes are limited to 12. The course is held in a fully-equipped microbiology lab.