Skip to main content
Penn State Berks
Report a Concern Give Apply Visit
  • Admission
  • Academics
    • Baccalaureate Degrees
    • Associate Degrees
  • Campus Calendar
  • Information For
    • Future Students
    • Parents & Families
    • Current Students
    • Adult Students
    • Alumni
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Campus Contacts & Mailing Addresses
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Berks
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Report a Concern Give Apply Visit
  • This is Penn State
    • Campus Leadership
    • Chancellor's Welcome
    • Penn State Berks at a Glance
    • Our History
  • Academics
    • Baccalaureate Degrees
    • Registrar
    • Course Schedule
    • Academic Advising Center
    • Thun Library
  • Admission
    • First-Year Students
    • Visit Us
    • En Español
    • Adult Learners
    • International Students
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarship Eligibility
    • Tuition & Cost Calculator
    • Paying Your Bill
  • Continuing Education
    • Adult Students
    • Services for Organizations
    • Summer Camps
    • Workforce and Professional Development
  • Student Life
    • On-Campus Housing
    • Residence Life
    • Moving In
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Family and Homecoming Weekend
    • Student Events Calendar
  • Athletics

Find Information For:

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Current Students
  • Adult Students
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Campus Contacts & Mailing Addresses

Helpful Links

  • Canvas
  • First Year Seminar
  • LionPATH
  • Driving Directions
  • Educational Equity and Diversity Programs
  • Faculty Directory
  • Staff Directory
  • University Police and Public Safety

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • x (formally twitter)
  • youtube
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  1. Home
  2. Continuing Education
  3. Workforce & Professional Development Programs
  4. Craft Brewing Certificate

Brewing Course Descriptions

Beer: Past, Present, and Future (AG 5060)

This introductory module covers the background and history of brewing from ancient times to the present. The study of defined beer styles, how they have developed historically and geographically will be examined in reference to how they influence modern brewing and in particular, the current growth of craft beer in the United States and around the world.

Introduction to Beer Production and Service (AG 5061)

In this course, we dive into the fundamentals of beer production and service. Covering brewing and brewhouse process decisions, fermentation and packaging, this module will give students a foundation to further their brewing knowledge and lexicon as well as continue to focus on and prioritize brewery safety and quality control from the brew deck to the bottling line.

Malt and the Malting Process (AG 5062)

This course provides an overview of the commercial malting process. The course starts with the underlying fundamentals that link barley, the malting process, and the brewing process together, and the contributions that malted barley makes to beer. Next, malt plant operations will be presented, and the students will learn the process for producing malted barley. Various malt types, the malting of other grains, and the use of unmalted grains will also be covered. Finally, the course will cover how the brewing value of finished malt is measured and presented to the brewer.

Hops (AG 5063)

Widely considered the driving force behind the modern craft beer ‘revolution’, in this module students will gain a deeper knowledge on the history of hops, their use in beer, and how they’ve come to dominate the brewing industry and craft beer market. Students will learn and understand the differences in hop varieties, the ‘terrior’ that helps define them, and their use in various beer styles.

Water (AG 5064)

Often overlooked, water is considered by brewers as the key ingredient on the road to high quality beer. In this module students will learn the important role water plays in the brewing process, how its chemistry affects mash efficiency, beer mouthfeel, overall beer quality, and what brewers can do when the water source that is available to them isn’t the best option for brewing.

Yeast and Fermentation (AG 5065)

Brewers make wort.  Yeast makes beer.  This module critically discusses the “cold side” of beer production from yeast biology and handling through fermenter design and operations. Students will learn how yeast exert tremendous influence on the overall flavor and character of a beer while sampling the results!  We will also discuss yeast as a local ingredient.  A natural isolate discovered outside of Philadelphia; “Philly Sour” is a yeast strain now used globally in the production of sour beer.

Capstone I: The Business of Beer (AG 5066)

Knowing how to brew high quality beer from start to finish is only one part of the equation. If your goal is to go beyond the brewhouse and start your own brewery, this module will dive into some of the key aspects and goals to get your brewery off the ground and in front of thirsty customers looking for the ‘next big thing’.

Capstone Module II:  Brew Practicum (AG 5067)

In this final module students will work with their instructor's brewery to develop, from grain to glass, their very own recipe and beer. From the choice of beer style, ingredients, production and process decisions, and brand and label design/creation, students will oversee all aspects of creating their own beer from start to finish.

*Students will oversee brewing with the ability to engage, view and ask questions. Due to insurance liability students will be limited in the actual amount of hands-on brewing participation. 

Workforce & Professional Development Programs

  • 2D / 3D CAD Certificate
  • Building Systems - Design & Construction Certificate
  • Change Management
  • Craft Brewing Certificate
    • Brewing Course Descriptions
    • Brewing Certificate Instructors
  • Construction Management Certificate
  • Essentials in Strategic Leadership Certificate
  • Inclusive Excellence in the Workplace Certificate
  • Industrial Electricity Certificate
  • Microsoft Project Class
  • PLC for Industry Certificate Program
  • Principles of Project Management
  • Process Instrumentation and Control
  • Project Management Certificate
  • Six Sigma Certificate
  • Spanish in the Workplace
  • Supply Chain Management Classes
  • Sustainability Certificate
  • Winemaking Certificate
    • Wine Certificate Program Course Numbers & Descriptions
  • Request Continuing Education Program Information
Locations of Penn State's campuses throughout Pennsylvania with Penn State Berks highlighted

Penn State Berks

Nestled on 258 beautifully landscaped acres in Berks County and easily accessible from anywhere in eastern Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
  • facebook
  • x (formally twitter)
  • youtube
  • instagram
  • tiktok
Give Apply Visit
  • +This is Penn State
    • Chancellor's Welcome
    • Penn State Berks at a Glance
    • Campus Leadership
    • Advisory Board
    • Our History
    • Freyberger Gallery
  • +Academics
    • Baccalaureate Degrees
    • Registrar
    • Course Schedule
    • Academic Advising Center
    • Thun Library
  • +Admissions
    • First-Year Students
    • Visit Us
    • En Español
    • Dual Enrollment
    • Adult Students
  • +Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Tuition & Cost Calculator
    • Paying Your Bill
  • +Research
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Research in Engineering, Business & Computing
    • Research in Science
  • +Continuing Education
    • Adult Learner Admissions
    • Practical Nursing Program
  • +Resources
    • Canvas
    • COVID Information
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Driving Directions
    • LionPATH
    • First-Year Seminar
    • Faculty Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • University Police and Public Safety
Penn State University
2100 Stoudt Road, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610 610-396-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2025
  • We Are Penn State