Description

Are you interested in pursuing a career in the craft beer industry? The Craft Beer Trade Certificate is an interdisciplinary program that provides an overview of the art, science, technology, and business aspects of the craft beer industry. The program is designed to be challenging and interactive. Students learn about the craft beer trade using a variety of approaches including lab work, hands on experience, lectures, field trips, and industry speakers. Our goal is to provide you with contacts in the craft beer industry for job placement, or field experience, of your choice.

Course Outline & Topics

The Craft Beer Trade Certificate is split in to four courses. Each course is ten weeks long. The first course starts fall quarter (late September to early December), course two is offered winter quarter (early January to mid March), and course three and four are offered spring quarter (late March to early June). Students should plan on starting in the fall; exceptions may be made based on the applicant’s skills and knowledge level.

Principles of Biochemistry and Brewing – 4 credits Raw materials, enzymes, proteins, wort production, hop analysis, & sensory evaluation
Principles of Merchandising Management for Microbrewing – 5 credits Selling process, operations management, distribution process, behavioral concepts, & creating a business plan
Brew Process Technology – 3 credits Understanding the brew house, efficiency, heating & cooling, wort transfer, cleaning, & packaging techniques.
Brewing Microbiology – 4 credits Microbiological techniques, yeast biology, wild yeasts, yeast production, microorganisms in the brewery, & sanitation.

Brewing System

The Craft Beer Trade Certificate uses a MoreBeer B3 flat brew sculpture. This system allows students to brew up to 10 gallons of craft beer. These systems are currently used a pilot systems in many craft breweries. Students are able to perform experiments and received hands on instruction. In addition to brewing, students are able to ferment their beer, package it, and later sample for sensory evaluation.

Advisory Board

The program is advised by a board of professional craft brewers and craft beer industry professionals. Members skills range from public relations, hop trade, brewer, operations manager, and craft brewery owner. These members rotate every two years and bring a real world approach to our curriculum.

Eligibility

Admission to this program is selective and the total number of applicants admitted may be limited. The following requirements must be met:

Be 21 years of age or older
A minimum overall college GPA of 2.5
Completed one of the following; Chemistry 101, Chemistry 111, or Chemistry 181 or equivalent
Completed Math 153 (pre-calculus) or equivalent
Work experience may substitute for the above academic prerequisites and is subject to evaluation by the advisor
In order to receive the certificate, students must earn a grade of B- or above in each of the four courses

Application Procedure

Students may participate in the program as a non-matriculated student. Admission is not required to Central Washington University. Interested students will apply directly to the Office of Continuing Education at CWU. The deadline to apply for fall quarter is August 1st. Students will be notified of acceptance to the program and automatically be enrolled in all classes. Students will not enroll through SAFARI. Enrollment is limited and accepted on a first come first serve basis. Early registration is suggested. After meeting the eligibility requirements, students must submit the following to apply:

Completed application to the program in person or by mail.
One of the following: CAPS report, official transcripts, or resume (supporting the eligibility requirements).
A short essay describing your interest in Craft Beer and your anticipated career path.

Submit all documents in one package to:

Office of Continuing Education
Central Washington University
400 East University Way
Barge 204
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7433
P: 509-963-1504
F: 509-963-1690
pangrazi@cwu.edu
www.cwuce.org/beer_education

Financial Obligations

Self-support funded programs do not allow the use of tuition waivers. The Continuing Education tuition rate applies of $253.33 per credit and may be subject to change. Additional university fees may apply. Courses are eligible for financial aid if you are a matriculated student at Central Washington University.