Brew U: Get A Degree In Beer

Colleges and beer are taking their long shared history to a new level with beer brewing classes on the science behind the preferred drink of college students.

According to the Brewers Association, brewing education programs are currently on tap at the University of California – Davis, University of California – San Diego, Oregon State University and Central Washington University.

Central Michigan University is launching the latest brewing program in fall 2015. The certificate program in fermentation science will educate students in the art and science of beer with classroom and lab work in chemistry, biochemistry and microchemistry, as well as a 200-hour internship in a production-scale facility focusing on all aspects of brewing, from farm to pint.

The university is partnering with Mountain Town Brewing Co. and Hunter’s Ale House in developing the program, billed as the first in the state focused specifically on hands-on craft beer education.

“As of 2013, Michigan ranked fifth in the nation in number of breweries, behind only California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington,” said Ian Davison, dean of Central Michigan University’s College of Science and Technology, in a statement. “This growing industry contributes significantly to the state’s economy, supporting jobs in breweries as well as in farms producing barley and hops.”

Look for Beer 101 in a school near you!