Apparently there's more to it than just hops and stuff. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/02/business/universities-offers-classes-for-those-interested-in-beer.html?ref=education
online? Really. viticulture degrees have been around a while, and I just toured a CC here quasi-locally that has a "fermentation" degree. (who knew?) But of course these are all butt in seat. Distance learning options? COOL!
Heriot-Watt has undergraduate and graduate degrees in beer brewing and management. Brewing and Distilling BSc - Undergraduate | Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh
I think people are often somewhat misled that a butt-in-seat program is going to offer more hands-on experience than it actually will. If you're sitting in a classroom looking at a powerpoint about how to make wine and beer you aren't learning anything that can't be taught online. On-site does not necessarily equal hands-on practical learning experience.
Also, micro-breweries have become sufficiently common that many (?most) people have one nearby (whether they know it or not). A lot of these businesses are happy to give you a tour of their facilities and answer questions. Like most people, they enjoying sharing with others who have the same interests.
I used to live near a "Home brew" store that drew people from far and wide. Aside from selling all of the necessary supplies to brew your own beer the people there knew a good deal about the science of fermentation. Naturally, I'm not suggesting that home brewing is a substitute for hands-on work in a commercial brewery (or micro-brew). But this is one of those degrees that you aren't likely to land a "job" if you obtain. And, arguable, you probably wouldn't want to pursue this course of study for job hunting. This is the kind of thing you study, I would imagine, if your ultimate goal is to eventually craft your own beer. In that sense it's like a culinary degree. Yeah, great, you went to CIA. Fantastic. If you burn water, keep a messy station and just generally suck at restaurant level cooking (but somehow struggled your way through to graduation) the degree isn't going to mean a whole heck of a lot. The only credential I look for in a brewmaster is whether their beer is enjoyable. On the one hand, this is neat. On the other, I do mourn whenever I see a profession that has held onto its tradition of passing itself through apprenticeships jump on the degree bandwagon. So, I hope it offers something meaningful. I hope it doesn't replace the apprenticeship element. And I sincerely hope that my local gas station doesn't start requiring a degree in beer to be employed as a minimum wage clerk.
I taught at San Diego State, where the students often take a bachelor's ON beer. It's probably different, though.
They must have just brought that back in the past couple years, I think it used to be offered when I joined the forum, but by the time I finished my undergrad it was gone (not that I was looking, rather I was just paying attention) it's good to see it back up there! PS. I spent some time exploring the programs via the link, and 3 of the 4 were certs, non-credit I think, and not DL. It's still interesting to see growth in new areas.
Our search widget got scrambled in the data loss but here's an oldish thread that mentions brewing courses. http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/46193-distance-education-other-than-college.html
Heck, I've drank so much beer throughout the years that I have a Ph.D. already. :scared1: I'm working on a foreign equivalent now that I've lived outside the US for a couple of years. aranoid:
The regular BSc is probably not DL. It is such a popular program, I don't think have the capacity to take any DL students. They do offer a post-graduate and Master's degree option via DL, however, you do have to travel to Edinburgh for a 2 week summer session. https://www.hw.ac.uk/postgraduate/brewing-distilling-distance-learning.htm?shortTitle=msc-brewing-and-distilling-by-distance-learning When I graduated from the MBA program, the commencement speaker commented that if you needed help anywhere in the world, go to the nearest brewery or distillery. You will find at least one Heriot-Watt graduate there. :beerchug:
I believe there is a move towards required internships for degrees. I never did an internship but now employed as a chemist for more than 20 years we regularly get interns who tell me the internship is required. Perhaps the combination of classroom learning and hands-on internships is the new apprenticeship. Not saying its better or worse, just seems to be the direction things are going. Like I imagine is true of apprenticeships, quality of classroom and internships vary.
It does where I come from. My first alma mater (I was 46) is a College that teaches both wine and beer. Teaching Brewery on site, Teaching Winery on site - wine country all around. Brewery: Niagara College Teaching Brewery > Home Winery: Niagara College - Home Great school for many other fields, too. Loved it! J.
When I was on campus at Michigan State, they had a Master's program in cheese science. So after your Bachelor's in beer . . . The great thing was that each student had to invent/develop a totally new cheese, and the product was then sold in the on-campus dairy store. There was a chocolate cheese that was to die for -- sadly, no longer available.
The world will never be without chocolate cheese, until the last cow has died and the last cacao tree has shriveled in eternal drought... no earlier than next Thursday, AFAIK. So let's eat while we can. So This Exists: Chocolate Cheese | Serious Eats What's Good at Trader Joe's?: Trader Joe's Chocolate Cheddar Cheese Definitely, as John says - to die for. Almost worth doing so, too! J.
Ok so as I read Dr Bear's post, I had a memory jolt! Back in maybe 1980 or so, a friend's mom was famous for her CHEESE FUDGE. I swear it's true. Chocolate w/cheese! Now, to my 10 year old palate it tasted perfectly delicious. Of course, I'd like to think I'm more refined now..... but hey, I did find what appears to be the recipe - so this is for you Dr. Bear! Chocolate Cheese Fudge Recipe : Paula Deen : Food Network
Offer to trade autographed books for MSU chocolate cheese During the years we had a retail candy store ("The Flying Bear"), we used to have a monthly mystery ingredient contest. Marina would make a confection, and people had to guess the unexpected ingredient. Cheddar cheese fudge was one of them, and a very popular one was chocolate fudge made with tomato ssauce. I see that the Michigan State dairy store still has their chocolate cheese -- Chocolate Cheese Confection | Dairy Store -- but they no longer send it by mail. If there's a forum member in or near East Lansing who might like to trade a couple of autographed books for buying and shipping a couple of pounds of this ambrosia, let's talk. [email protected]
