New brewing class offered at Fresno State, beer testing included. Registration closes soon
With multiple local breweries around the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area, those wanting to know more about local brewing, the process of making beer and the industry behind it are now getting a new, local opportunity.
Fresno State’s Brew U program is back with a new session – Brewing Basics – offered for anyone interested in learning about ingredients, history and the process that happens to create brews.
Registration is recommended by March 26 to secure a spot, and the last day to register is April 4. Students must be 21 years old or older and are expected to pay a $200 class fee. No prerequisites or prior experience is required to participate.
Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting on April 2 through April 18 at the Kremen Education building in room 140. They will be led by Ryan Hansen, founder and chief consultant for Big Pop Brewery Consulting.
Through the class, the university is offering students insight into the brewing industry, different brew flavors and the business aspects of brewing.
Whether class attendees possess no prior experience, have brewed at home or have a job within the brewery industry, they will leave the class, “equipped with a diverse array of skills and knowledge essential for success in this field,” said Tracy Bessey, the coordinator of marketing and communications for the Division of Continuing and Global Education.
The class’s curriculum will cover:
The fundamentals of beer brewing, including topics such as ingredient selection, brewing techniques, fermentation, and beer packaging.
How to conduct sensory evaluations of various beers, and how to assess characteristics like appearance, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel.
The business aspects of brewery management, including discussions on marketing strategies, legal considerations, human resources management, and the development of standard operating procedures and safety protocols.
The class also has two field trips scheduled:
On April 9, students will have an off-site beer testing session.
On April 18 students will go on a brewery tour to have the first-hand experience of a functioning production brewery’s workings.
After this class ends, Bessey said the university plans to offer an advanced class in the Fall.
Those interested in registering can do so directly through the class’s webpage by scrolling down and clicking on the “Register Here” red button at the end of the column on the right. Then, you’ll be redirected to a site where you can add the class to your shopping cart, and you’ll be asked to provide some basic contact information before you check out and pay the class fee.
For further details about this class, those interested can visit the Division of Continuing and Global Education’s Brewing Basics webpage or call 559-278-0333.