Simon Fraser University’s Continuing Studies is quenching the Vancouver market’s growing demand for quality craft beer by serving up a Craft Beer and Brewing Essentials Certificate in 2015.
The condensed part-time program, the only one of its kind in the Lower Mainland, is designed for craft beer entrepreneurs, professionals and enthusiasts who wish to keep working while they study.
The program is set to begin at SFU’s Surrey campus in October. An information session on Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at SFU’s Surrey campus (#250-13450 102 Ave.) will provide more information for interested students. A formal launch event at Surrey’s Central City Brew Pub (adjacent to campus) will follow, giving interested parties the opportunity to hear from the program’s creators while sampling Central City’s craft brew.
To ensure new grads have the relevant skills for the current market, the curriculum has been developed in partnership with several industry representatives from Metro Vancouver breweries. Courses will include brewing and brewing science, ingredient development, beer quality assessment and business fundamentals.
“We have worked very closely with our industry partners and are excited about this new program, and the opportunity to provide this type of learning to folks across the Lower Mainland,” says Larry White, director of non-credit programs at SFU.
“The craft beer community is growing very quickly, creating a huge need for quality education,” says Adam Chatburn, president of the Vancouver branch of the Campaign for Real Ale Society of B.C. (CAMRA BC), which has over 1,000 members, including craft breweries, pubs and tap houses, restaurants, specialty liquor stores and amateur brewers.
“We regularly get asked where to start in brewing, so it’s great that SFU is offering a program that covers both brewing essentials and craft beer. This program will help pave the way for future brewers and stakeholders to learn about the industry as well as expand their craft beer knowledge overall.”
More details are available at www.sfu.ca/beer.
SFU also offers a credit course to students through the Faculty of Science called The Science of Brewing (BISC 372). First offered last January, the popular course is being offered this semester with large class of nearly 60 students.
