Photo Credit: DALL-E
Passionate beer lovers are turning their craft into unique small-batch brewing ventures. This growing trend has sparked a surge in brewing workshops and courses, especially among young people eager to master the art of craft beer. Beyond brewing, there’s a wealth of opportunities to specialize in areas like promotion, sales, and the business side of the industry, making it an exciting career path for anyone with a passion for beer and entrepreneurship.
Requirements for Those Who Want to Learn Brewing
As a rule, short-term brewing courses at universities and workshops accept anyone with minimal experience and knowledge in the specialty. However, to obtain a degree or certificate, there are more requirements.
If you want to enroll in a bachelor’s degree in brewing, you must provide an admission essay. If you don’t know how to write it correctly, you can get help from special writing services. Moreover, professional writers can meet your “I want to pay to do my homework” request. With their help, you will save a great deal of time on writing.
For English-language programs, you need to present the IELTS or TOEFL exam results, and for German-language programs, you need to present the TestDaF or DSH test results. In the USA, Canada, and Great Britain, additional tests are not conducted for candidates. The admissions committee evaluates students based on academic performance, language skills, and a motivation letter. However, in Germany, applicants may need to pass specialized exams.
When applying for a master’s degree or a certificate program, the list of documents is similar. However, instead of a certificate, you must attach proof you have a bachelor’s degree in a specialized or related discipline. In some cases, work experience in brewing or a well-written motivation letter that explains the applicant’s interest and the relationship between the future and the subjects already studied is counted instead.
The exact requirements for language certificates and educational background should be clarified in advance at the educational institution itself.
The Popularity of Brewing Workshops and Courses among Young People
Many brewers with a university education are skeptical about self-taught home brewers or those who get education in workshops and courses. However, such a person can grow into a cool professional. In the US, most famous brewers do not have a specialized education. For example, in the US, the Hill Farmstead Brewery is currently one of the most titled in the world. Its founder, John Hill, was a home brewer until he opened his own business in the remote forests of Vermont. Also, the Alchemist Brewery has been a trendsetter in craft brewing for the last ten years. Its founder and head brewer, John Kimmich, also started out as a home brewer.
All this became possible thanks to the development of craft brewing because most professionals in this field are former home brewers. Courses cannot completely replace the level of university knowledge. They only give a start, after which a person must independently, in practice, comprehend the basics of a new profession. There are three main reasons why brewing workshops and courses are popular among young people.
The Rise of Craft Culture
Brewing masterclasses are a perfect fit for young people who are looking for quality, authenticity, and creativity. They allow participants to delve deeper into the process behind their favorite drinks. The popularity of microbreweries has created a demand for knowledge. Workshops and masterclasses fill this gap.
Social Media Influence
Masterclasses help to capture and share brewing experiences. This will further fuel their popularity. Talking about attending a brewing class or posting a photo of your homebrew can enhance your social media persona by adding an element of authenticity and creativity. Brewing is an interesting topic to share on TikTok or Instagram.
Sustainability and DIY Culture
Sustainability is an important issue among younger people. A lot of brewing workshops and courses teach sustainable practices. Young people learn how to reduce waste and source ingredients ethically. Also, a brewing class may teach students how to use local ingredients. DIY culture is a big factor as well. It was this direction that quickly found a response from young people, thus going beyond the borders of one country. Brewing can relate to DIY culture because you learn to make beer with your own hands.
Future Trends in Brewing Workshops
Brewing masterclasses are likely to continue to grow in popularity. The rise of personalized experiences, wellness trends, and a focus on sustainability will further increase interest in these courses. Additionally, masterclasses that incorporate technology, such as virtual brewing classes or brewing process tracking apps, will appeal to tech-savvy young people.
Where to Study to Become a Brewer
Many people have produced fermented drinks from various raw materials with their own characteristics and names since ancient times. However, no one can say for sure where it came from. In the 21st century, there was a revival of craft beer. It is brewed by independent companies in non-industrial quantities according to original recipes. You can learn the craft of a brewer or a manager in the beer sector at the following universities:
Oregon State University, USA
Oregon State University trains bachelors in food science and technology, and the Fermentation Sciences specialization is popular among applicants. The university has research laboratories, its own modern brewery, and a malthouse.
At least once a month, students go through the entire production cycle, from malting grain to bottling and packaging the finished product. OSU often hosts professional brewers from local and regional craft breweries and sends its students on exchange programs.
The university also organizes short-term courses of 5-6 weeks, where 90% of classes are conducted remotely, and the last days are in person with visits to hop farms and breweries in Oregon.
Technical University of Munich, Germany
You can also complete a bachelor’s degree at the Technical University of Munich. The three-year program, Brewing and Beverage Technology, is dedicated to engineering, biological, technological, and biochemical processes of production and preparation of beverages. It is taught in German.
University of Nottingham, UK
Graduates of the biological, chemical, biochemical engineering, or other relevant courses are accepted to the master’s program at the British University of Nottingham. After a year of study, students know the scientific basis of the principle of brewing, understand the quality of products, solve technological problems – and create their own drink recipes. The university campus is located near the famous brewing center of Burton upon Trent.
Niagara College, Canada
The Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management degree program was launched at Niagara College in 2010 and was the first in Canada, and also earned the title of “Best Brewing Program in North America.” Since its launch, faculty and students have received 30 awards and nine gold medals at national and international industry competitions.
During the two-year course, students master brewing technologies, sensory evaluation, and quality control. Graduates are able to manage sales and business processes specific to beer-related sectors – in order to become leaders in the craft beer industry.
You can practice theory and brew beer right on campus – at your own microbrewery. In the Brewery Retail Store, you can taste and buy products made by students.
A graduate of the program has no problems with employment, but if they want to continue their studies, they can do so at the Canadian Thompson Rivers University. After completing the course, you are allowed to move directly to the third year of university and receive a Bachelor of Technology degree there.
To Sum It Up
Brewing is more than just a science; it’s an art, a passion, and a gateway to an exciting career in the craft beer industry. For young people eager to dive into this world, brewing workshops and courses provide the perfect entry point, offering hands-on experience and a deep connection to the craft. With the rise of microbreweries and the growing interest in local, quality brews, there’s no better time for aspiring brewers to get involved.
