With the rising popularity in taprooms and distilleries, including the 2021 opening of Tennessee Hill’s Brewstillery on West Walnut Street, significant growth is expected for the future of the brewing industry.
Just last year, ETSU announced their new partnership with Tennessee Hills to create a new program of study dedicated to brewing and distilling. Today, over a dozen students minor in the program. The department hopes to double that number by next year.
“I think part of what inspired this program was because there is a whole lot going on in the area of craft brewing and heritage distilling practices,” said Dr. Jill Leroy-Frazier. “So, this was really trying to give students the option to have formal education in those processes in entrepreneurial areas.”
The program is split into two forms of studies: a Brewing and Distillation Studies minor, and a Brewing and Distillation Studies certificate. The courses Foundations of Brewing and Distillation Studies and Introduction to Brewing and Distillation Science are required courses for both, but some additional classes differ.
Students minoring in Brewing and Distillation Studies must take and pass a total of 21 credits, including 9 in BRDS and 12 in advisor-approved electives. Students hoping to achieve the certificate, however, are only required to complete 10 credits, with 7 in BRDS and 3 in electives.
These classes are primarily instructed in a lecture format, but include hands-on, interactive experiences with brewing, fermenting and distilling, along with internship opportunities.
“Our goal with the program is to make students aware of employment opportunities in the fast-growing craft beer and spirits industries, and to prepare them with the knowledge and practical skills to be successful,” said Dave Lawerence, master chemist for Tennessee Hills and Brewing and Distillation Studies instructor.
For more information regarding ETSU’s Brewing and Distillation Studies, contact Dr. Jill LeRoy-Frazier or visit the program website at https://www.etsu.edu/graduate-continue-education/cross-disciplinary/brewing-distillation.php.
