Craft Brewing
Welcome to the Craft Brewing Program
Located in the heart of the nation’s hop country, CWU’s Craft Brewing program provides you with hands-on brewing and lab experiences complemented by strong industry connections that facilitate internships and lead to future job placements.
With a network of accomplished alumni and instructors with years of industry experience and technical expertise, our program provides a solid foundation for helping you develop a successful career within the brewing industry and food/beverage industries. With an exceptional job placement rate of nearly 100%, graduates of the CWU Craft Brewing program are well-prepared to enter the industry in roles involving production/manufacturing, laboratory research, quality control, and sensory evaluation.
Questions? Contact Us.
Craft Brewing
About our Program
Connect with our department to explore degree information, get the latest news and event information, meet our faculty, and more.
Information for Students
Home page for the Information for Students section of the Craft Brewing department site.
Upcoming Events
details and Information about upcoming events
Craft Brewing Facilities and Student Research
Details about the Craft Brewing Facilities
Alumni - Where are they now?
Information regarding alumni of the craft brewing program
Explore our Degrees
Discover a range of programs designed to inspire creativity, build expertise, and prepare you for a successful career in Craft Brewing.
Fermentation Science
The Craft Brewing program gives you a strong foundation in the science, business, and art of brewing beer, but you'll also dive into fermentation science, exploring how this essential process extends beyond beer to a variety of foods and beverages.
- Gain insight into how fermentation shapes flavor, nutrition, and preservation
- Learn the chemistry, biology, and microbiology behind fermentation
- Explore how fermentation applies to products like kombucha, kimchi, yogurt, and more.
Whether you're passionate about craft beer or curious about the science behind your favorite fermented foods, this program gives you the tools to turn that interest into a career.
Experiential Learning
At CWU, we believe the art and science of brewing beer is a sensory adventure, focusing on sight, smell, and taste. Our department approaches teaching the same way, with a hands-on, immersive approach to learning in the following ways:
- Internships: Plentiful in the Northwest, internships are highly encouraged for all students and required for majors.
- Labs: Engage in hands-on learning in research laboratories and innovative food/kitchen spaces.
- Field Trips and Industry Collaborations: Take advantage of class visits and collaborations with local breweries, wineries, and hop farms and suppliers.
- Research Opportunities: Explore and expand your fermentation knowledge by conducting your own independent research projects.