As craft beer continues to grow in popularity, the demand for skilled brewers has surged. Many colleges now offer brewing science courses and on-campus microbreweries, giving students hands-on experience in fermentation, quality assurance, and business operations. Balancing brewing coursework with academic writing can be challenging, but an essay writing service like EssayService helps students stay on top of their assignments while focusing on practical brewing skills. These programs prepare students for exciting careers in artisan brewing, large-scale production, and even entrepreneurship.
This article will explore the top colleges offering brewing programs, on-campus microbreweries, and hands-on brewing experiences that prepare students for successful careers in the craft beer industry.
Why Colleges Are Investing in Brewing Programs
Brewing is both an art and a science. Colleges that include microbreweries in their programs teach fermentation science, chemistry, microbiology, and business skills. These programs train students for careers in artisan brewing, large-scale production, or even entrepreneurship. With the craft beer business contributing billions to the economy, universities see these programs as a way to align education with industry demands.
Top Colleges with On-Campus Microbreweries
Certain schools are notable for their emphasis on brewing education. These schools not only teach theory but also provide students with hands-on experience in business, quality testing, and brewing.
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
At the California State Polytechnic University campus, students can experience hands-on brewing at Innovation Brew Works, an on-campus brewery and restaurant. All majors are eligible, and students work in a genuine brewing atmosphere while studying brewery skills.
Watermelons are used in seasonal brews such as Math Tutor wheat lager and Class Clown watermelon milkshake, and oranges grown on campus are used in the brewpub’s Dr. Ortiz Orange Witbier. Students gain knowledge about sustainable ingredient procurement through this farm-to-brewery strategy.
Through the Assistant Brewer Training Program, students intern at the brewpub, learning the full brewing process. Graduates earn an Assistant Brewer Certificate, preparing them for careers in the brewing industry while gaining real-world experience in craft beer production.
Colorado State University
In 2013, Colorado State University began offering students practical brewing experience through its fermentation science and technology curriculum. By 2018, the program had grown to include the Ramskeller Brewhouse, a teaching brewery located in the campus bar of the student center.
Students gain experience in industry-level brewing through the use of advanced technology and automation. With support from Odell Brewing, Emerson, and New Belgium Brewing, the university’s Innovation Hub and Brew Kitchen features two small brewhouses dedicated to research and education.
Students can pursue a food and fermentation science degree, specializing in fermentation science and technology or food science, gaining valuable skills for careers in brewing and food production.
Oregon State University
For students interested in a career in brewing, the Department of Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University offers a fermentation science concentration. While some pursue doctoral studies with an emphasis on beer chemistry, microbiology, and sensory analysis, the majority obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Graduates secure roles at major breweries like Anheuser-Busch InBev and Miller-Coors, with some advancing to executive positions at companies such as the Boston Beer Company.
Recognized for hop research and its innovative research brewery, Oregon State has contributed to new brewing ventures, including EIGHT Elite Light Lager in Texas, according to fermentation science professor Thomas Shellhammer.
Regis University
For individuals who are interested in beer or are pursuing a profession in brewing, Regis University in Colorado provides an applied craft brewing certificate. A diverse spectrum of students can enroll in the flexible, part-time program, which can be finished in a single year.
Two hybrid courses and two online courses are part of the program, and students train in the campus brewery throughout these courses. They receive practical training in food pairing, beer judging certification, and sensory training.
Students intern with partner breweries for 160 hours. Many alumni are employed at breweries across the globe, and they have received acclaim at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup.
University of Arizona
The fermentation science program at the University of Arizona offers practical instruction in making kombucha and kimchi, baking sourdough, and brewing beer. They acquire useful skills in fermentation science as they assess their creations according to flavor, color, and texture.
The program covers the entire brewing process, with students creating CALES Ales—beers brewed on campus and sold at the Student Union’s Cork & Craft restaurant.
According to Patrick Heacock, head brewer for the School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness, students experiment with various brewing techniques, learning both traditional and experimental styles through trial and error in the fermentation lab.
Is a Brewing Program Right for You?
A brewing education can be a perfect fit for you if you love science and craft beer. For students who want to make a living from their love of brewing, these programs are ideal. They are demanding and fulfilling, though, because they call for a solid grasp of chemistry, microbiology, and commercial principles.
Gaining Hands-On Brewing Experience in College
During their time at college, students can access on-campus microbreweries to gain practical experience in the realm of brewing. If you’re interested in brewing your beer, working on quality improvement projects, or starting a small brewery, these programs are for you. What skills do you need to succeed in these areas? A successful career in brewing can be achieved by students who receive appropriate training and experience.
