Assistant Brewer Training Program
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As the craft beer industry continues to rapidly expand, the Assistant Brewer plays a vital role in most breweries. An Assistant Brewer is often considered an apprentice, or right-hand, to the Head Brewer and is responsible for a large part of the brewery’s production operations. Industry growth and a competitive job market have increased the need for experienced and knowledgeable Assistant Brewers across the United States. The certificate program is designed to train and prepare individuals who are seeking to pursue a career in the brewing industry, and with the right combination of education, hands-on experience, and skills, participants from this training will stand out among other candidates in a competitive job market.
The Assistant Brewer Training Program allows participants to first learn about the basics of brewery operations, and then train as an intern at Cal Poly Pomona University's brewery, Innovation Brew Works. Participants will use the University's signature "Learn‐by‐Doing" approach- tailored here into “Learn-by-Brewing” to gain the hands-on skills and experience needed to become a successful Assistant Brewer in the industry. Learned skillsets are based on actual commercial brewery SOPs, and participants will receive a unique and one-of-a-kind opportunity to be involved in the production and handling of the finished beer served to the public at IBW.
Participants' performance is evaluated by supervising industry professionals to monitor the progress of the participants through their trial/error and success. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive an Assistant Brewer Certificate issued by Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE), acknowledging the accomplishment and accumulated knowledge gained to succeed in the brewing industry.
Online Component of the Assistant Brewer Training Program (BRW200):
- Introduction to the craft beer industry and its components
- Brewing ingredients and their effects on flavors
- Safety and chemical use in the brewery
- Overview of the brewing process from grain to glass
- Brewery equipment and parts
- Instruction and video resources of common brewery procedures
- Provide a solid foundation for a successful internship in the Assistant Brewer Internship Program.
Internship Component of the Assistant Brewer Training Program (BRW200):
- Introduces participants to the brewing environment through hands-on participation
- Brewery safety, chemical handling, cleaning, and maintenance
- Keg cleaning and operation of commercial keg washer
- Packaging beer into kegs and bottles
- Milling grain and preparation of brewing ingredients
- Assisting brewers with wort production
- Fermentation and quality control procedures
- Cleaning and sanitization of fermentation and brite tanks
- Transferring and handling of finished beer
- Draft line cleaning and maintenance
The course for Spring 2024 is now open for enrollment. (Modality: Online and In-person)
- Online-Asynchronous Session: January 21, 2024, to February 4, 2024, and
- In-person Session: (Tue & Thur) February 6, 2024, to March 21, 2024
Online Component of the Assistant Brewer Training Program (BRW200):
- Introduction to the craft beer industry and its components
- Brewing ingredients and their effects on flavors
- Safety and chemical use in the brewery
- Overview of the brewing process from grain to glass
- Brewery equipment and parts
- Instruction and video resources of common brewery procedures
- Provide a solid foundation for a successful internship in the Assistant Brewer Internship Program.
Internship Component of the Assistant Brewer Training Program (BRW200):
- Introduces participants to the brewing environment through hands‐on participation
- Brewery safety, chemical handling, cleaning, and maintenance
- Keg cleaning and operation of commercial keg washer
- Packaging beer into kegs and bottles
- Milling grain and preparation of brewing ingredients
- Assisting brewers with wort production
- Fermentation and quality control procedures
- Cleaning and sanitization of fermentation and brite tanks
- Transferring and handling of finished beer
- Draft line cleaning and maintenance
- Adults age 21+ who want to learn about the production of craft beer
- Individuals who are interested in learning about commercial brewing operations
- Individuals with home‐brewing experience who want to refine their skills
- Individuals seeking employment in a production brewing facility
- Individuals seeking an immersive and practical experience in brewing and
to expand upon personal/professional knowledge in the craft beer industry.
- Participants receive the Assistant Brewer certificate signifying the completion of an 80-hour internship and successful passing of course quizzes and exams.
The Certified Assistant Brewer program has benefited from the expertise of numerous instructors, brew
masters, and brewery owners, including the following:
Eric Bassett is the Brewery Manager at Innovation Brew Works (IBW), and also an instructor for the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE) at Cal Poly Pomona. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. His culinary arts experience enhances his creative skills in producing beers that include a variety of agricultural crops grown on campus at Cal Poly Pomona. Through Eric’s dedication, expertise and efforts, IBW received medals at the San Diego International Beer Competition and the Los Angeles Beer Competition in 2018.
Disclaimer
The current course schedule which includes class meeting times, locations and design is subject to change without notice or obligation. The University does not guarantee the availability of a particular course or section, and reserves the right to cancel due to insufficient enrollment.
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3801 W. Temple Ave.
Bldg 220C-140
Pomona CA 91768
https://www.cpp.edu/cpge
Phone: 909-869-2288
Email : CPGEinfo@cpp.edu
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM