RICHMOND — You can now learn the craft of brewing beer at Virginia Tech and the University of Richmond.
The two Virginia schools are working together to offer a Beer Brewer Professional Certificate. The yearlong program, which does not have credits but costs $2,499, starts Nov. 12.
It’s a collaboration between the Virginia Tech Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement and the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies. Students will learn about the craft brewing business, including ingredients, the brewing itself, packaging and distribution.
“When students complete the program, they are prepared to enter the craft brewing industry in a variety of roles,” said Robyn Smith, program manager for Virginia Tech. “The goal is to give them the skills to make them more marketable or to open opportunities for advancement.”
Virginia Tech already has a beer-brewing program called “Business of Brewing.” This new certificate, which was approved by the Department of Labor and Industry, grows UR’s existing beer certificate program.
“Virginia Tech’s statewide footprint helps the University of Richmond expand our certificate program,” said Bobby Faithful, program specialist with the University of Richmond. “We hope to help sustain the brewing economy and stimulate the growth of brewing in Virginia.”
UR’s certificate program started in 2016. The expanded program will be held at the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center. Applications open this month at spcs.richmond.edu/brewer.
Enrollment is capped at 20 students.
Full Article from Justin Mattingly with Richmond Times-Dispatch