Beer brewing diploma launched by university

A Canadian university is set to offer students a two-year course in the science of beer brewing.

Elizabeth Worobec, dean of the faculty of science and horticulture, with Nick Bolton (left), head brewer with Surrey’s Big Ridge Brewing Co., and Ken Beattie, executive director of the BC Craft Brewers Guild.

The Science of Brewing programme will launch in September 2014 at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Colombia and will give students the chance to get a full education in the science and business of brewing in a specially designed on site “brew laboratory”.

Elizabeth Worobec, dean of the faculty of science and horticulture, said: “We are so excited to be offering the first brewing diploma program in B.C.

“Along with practical hands-on training, we’ll be giving students a solid background in the science behind brewing craft beer, including the chemistry and microbiology involved in the process.

“It’s this much-needed expertise that graduates will bring to the province’s brewing industry.”

Its introduction capitalises on the growing popularity of micro brewing in Canada and the US and will help meet the industry’s demand of qualified employees.

Dr. Alan Davis, president and vice-chancellor at the university, said: “KPU is committed to being an active partner in our communities’ economic development initiatives and expanding the distinctiveness and scope of our program offerings to realize our polytechnic university mandate.

“The brewing and brewery operations program satisfies both objectives,” says KPU. “This program demonstrates our ability to work with industry to quickly respond to the need to develop a skilled workforce for a growing sector.”

The course is one of only a handful beer brewing courses worldwide which have been criticised as being “mickey mouse” courses in the past.