Craft Brewing & Distillation Science

Sacred Heart University’s Craft Brewing & Distillation Science programs offer unique opportunities for those seeking professional advancement in the brewing and distillation industries with significant employment opportunities in the state of Connecticut and beyond. Distillation Science is a new program that, in addition to the established Brewing Science program, provides flexible program options for those seeking training in professional level brewing, distillation, or both. The coursework and practical training offered through these programs provide excellent opportunities for those currently working in the brewing or distillation industries who would like to advance their careers by adding critical skills to their résumés.

The brewing and distillation programs offer students industry partnerships, real-world facilities and a central location near prominent breweries and distilleries of the Northeast. The training students receive is grounded in hands-on learning and a robust professional network of collaborators.

The programs offer training in the following topics, among others:

• Scientific brewing and distillation theory
• Brewing and distillation ingredient and recipe design
• Beer and distilled spirits styles
• Sensory analysis of beer and distilled spirits
• Brewery and distillery operations/management
• Practical hands-on professional equipment use
• Brewing and distillation sanitation and safety
• Product quality control and product quality assurance
• Brewing and distillation law and legal compliance

Programs Offered

• Brewing Science Certificate 
• Distillation Science Certificate

Program Modality

Brewing & Distillation Science education at SHU makes use of state-of-the-art facilities located at Two Road’s Brewing Company's Area Two facility in Stratford, CT for in-person instruction scheduled on evenings and weekends to accommodate working professionals. Other courses without a hands-on component are offered wholly online or in hybrid format.

The full program in Brewing or Distillation Sciences leads to an accredited certificate and each certificate can be completed in one calendar year. Self-contained study modules and flexible enrollment are available, as well as options to take classes individually for focused professional development, depending on student qualifications. The ambitious student may be able to complete both programs within one year.

Instructors

Our instructors are craft brewing and distilling industry professionals and entrepreneurs. Fermentation and distillation experts with extensive knowledge of both the scientific theories of brewing and distilling and practical experience in the industry. Students leave with a solid grounding in brewing and distilling theory and the professional nature of our teaching staff guarantees that the curriculum remains grounded in the practical knowledge needed to work and succeed in the brewing and distillation industries.

View Faculty & Staff

Advisory Board

Our program and course content were developed through consultation with an advisory board of industry professionals as well as the business and science faculty at Sacred Heart University.