Beer Brewer Professional Certificate

Overview

The University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies, in partnership with craft brewing partners throughout Virginia and beyond, offers the state’s premier professional craft brewing training for those interested in entering and advancing in the craft beer industry.

Our Beer Brewer Professional Certificate program guides students through the entire craft brewing business, from procuring high quality ingredients and raw materials through the proper handling, processing, packaging and distribution of the final product.

The program highlights local, sustainable practices by partnering with regional suppliers, breweries and distributors. Students who complete the certificate program will be well prepared to enter the craft brewing industry in a variety of roles.

Online Information Sessions

Dec 04

Craft Brewing Education Program Information Session

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Program Format

The Beer Brewer Professional Certificate requires successful completion of two stand-alone courses: Introduction to Craft Brewing and Brewing Science and Process. After completing both courses (the recommended sequence is to start with the introductory course), you’ll earn a professional certificate in craft brewing from the University of Richmond.

Introduction to Craft Brewing

A 10-week foundational online course offering an in-depth introduction to the craft brewing process. This course delves into the major beer styles, exploring both their historical roots and modern variations. Participants will also learn about the key ingredients and equipment used in the craft brewing process and gain insight into the fundamentals of recipe development.

Introduction to Craft Brewing Course Details

Brewing Science and Process

This 10-week course provides an overview of the entire process of making craft beer from wort production through fermentation. Other critical topics are covered including brewery safety and sanitation, how to use quality assurance to brew consistently from batch to batch, and a look into brewery operations, including production planning and raw material sourcing.

Brewing Science & Process Course Details

Local Brewing Partners

We’re proud to work with local brewing partners. Our partners help us develop a strong, relevant course of study that meets their needs for skilled labor. Our partners also offer their facilities for hands-on brewing experiences. We are grateful to our partners for the role they play in providing a successful professional learning experience for our students.

Interested in learning about partnership opportunities? Contact Brewing Education Program Specialist Dan Jablow.

Collaborative Brews

Our staff, students and program graduates collaborate with local breweries to brew one-of-a-kind brews. To date, we’ve collaborated with breweries in Richmond, Roanoke and NoVA to brew the following collaborative brews.

Bee Student Honey Bourbon-Barrel Milt Stout label — In 2018, we collaborated with Three Notch’d RVA to brew the program’s first beer. **Bee Student** is a honey bourbon-barrel Imperial milk stout, 10.5% ABV.

Pumpkin Spiced Latte label - pumpkin spiced amber ale conditioned with cold brewed coffee — Later in 2018, we collaborated with Three Notch’d RVA to brew **Pumpkin Spiced Latte**, a pumpkin spiced amber ale conditioned with locally cold-brewed Rostov’s Mocha Java coffee, 7.5% ABV.

"Cherries are For Lovers" Virginia cherry gose label — In 2019, we collaborated with Three Notch’d RVA to brew a beer to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Virginia Is For Lovers tourism campaign. **Cherries Are For Lovers** is a Virginia cherry gose, 4.3% ABV.

Summer School label, New England IPA — Also in 2019, we collaborated with Three Notch’d RVA to brew **Summer School**, a New England IPA, 7.2% ABV.

"Apple Brandy Hot Toddy" label - Amber ale with honey and lemon aged in apple brandy barrels — In 2020, we collaborated with Three Notch’d RVA to brew **Apple Brandy Hot Toddy**, an amber ale with honey and lemon aged in apple brandy barrels, 8% ABV.

Peach on the Barbie label - peach kolsch — In 2022, we collaborated with A Few Old Goats Brewing to brew our first collaborative beer in the Roanoke area. **Peach on the Barbie** is a peach kolsch.

Operation Cohort NOVA label - hibiscus mango blond ale with Zamba hops — Also in 2022, we collaborated with Tucked Away Brewing Company to brew our first collaborative beer in Northern Virginia. **Operation Cohort NOVA** is a hibiscus mango blonde ale with Zamba hops, 4.7% ABV.

Otter Lost Colony beer label — In 2023, we collaborated with Twin Creeks Brewing Company to brew our second collaborative beer in Roanoke. **The Otter Lost Colony** is an English Mild with Marris Otter Malt that plays on confusion between the city and lost colony of Roanoke. *Gold Medal winner in English Mild Ale category, 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship*

Earl of Lemongrass beer label — In 2023, we collaborated with Three Notch’d RVA Collab House on a brew celebrating the RVA cohort’s graduation. **Earl of Lemongrass** is a saison brewed with lemongrass, inspired by the animated series *Adventure Time*’s Earl of Lemongrab.

Education Provider, Virginia Registered Apprenticeships

The curriculum for the Beer Brewer Professional Certificate is approved for Related Technical Instruction (RTI) in a Virginia Registered Apprenticeship (RA). Ours is the first program in the U.S. approved as a provider of RTI in support of the craft beer brewing industry. Contact a Virginia Department of Labor & Industry (DOLI) local RA Consultant for details.

Member, Brewing Education Roundtable

The UR Brewer Education program is a member of the Brewers Association Brewing Education Roundtable, which held a summit in May 2019. The Roundtable Summit gathered the top names in brewing education to discuss the future of brewing education and possible collaborative efforts. Ours was the only professional noncredit brewing education program invited to participate.

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