As the premier source of university-level training in brewing science and brewery engineering, UC Davis’ Master Brewers Certificate Program is the leader in helping brewers perfect their skills and reach the highest levels of the craft.
In-person Program Schedule
March 9, 2026 - June 19, 2026
The Master Brewers Certificate Program is a full-time program and meets Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the duration of 15 weeks.
Classes are held in a classroom facility located at Sudwerk Brewing Company in Davis, Calif. While this world-class microbrewery is not a formal teaching facility, it does allow students the opportunity to observe brewing and packaging operations on Sudwerk’s 65-barrel Steinecker system as part of the curriculum. Students will also get hands-on training at UC Davis' state-of-the-art Anheuser Busch InBev Pilot Brewery. This 1.5-barrell brewhouse has access to steam, CO2, electrical, compressed air, deionized water, a refrigerated storage room, a mill room, a dry storage room and a small laboratory space.
Online Program Schedule
| Course # | Course Title | # of Weeks | Academic Units | Tuition | Course Start Date | Course End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw Materials and Wort Production | 12 | 4 | $2,000 | 1/12/2026 | 4/5/2026 |
| 2 | Beer Production and Microbiology | 12 | 4 | $2,000 | 4/13/2026 | 7/5/2026 |
| 3 | Brewery Cellar and Lab Operations | 10 | 4 | $2,000 | 7/13/2026 | 9/20/2026 |
| 4 | Brewery Engineering | 12 | 4 | $2,000 | 9/28/2026 | 12/20/2026 |
| 5 | Beer Packaging | 10 | 3 | $1,800 | 1/11/2027 | 3/21/2027 |
| 6 | Sensory Science of Beer | 10 | 3 | $1,800 | 3/29/2027 | 6/6/2027 |
| 7 | Beer Quality, Safety, and Sustainability | 10 | 2 | $1,600 | 6/14/2027 | 8/22/2027 |
Who is this Program for?
- Professional brewers looking to advance into senior brewer, lead brewer or head brewer roles through deeper technical expertise
- Aspiring brewers seeking the foundational knowledge required for entry-level brewing positions and long-term career growth
- Brewery owners and managers who want to improve production efficiency, product consistency and quality standards
- Quality assurance and production professionals aiming to strengthen technical skills and expand career opportunities within brewing operations
Career changers preparing to transition into brewing roles with industry-relevant training from UC Davis
What You'll Learn
- Grain handling, malting, malt analysis and their effects in brewing
- Brewhouse processes and the control of wort quality
- Yeast and fermentation processes and their effects on beer quality
- Finishing beer, sterilization of beer and packaging technology
- Flow of fluids in pipes and through pumps in a brewery setting
- Heat transfer and the effects of insulation and fouling on efficiency
- Theory and practice of carbonation, including mixed gas technology
- Theory and practice of refrigeration in the brewery
What You’ll Get
- The knowledge necessary to become a thoughtful, accomplished and professional brewer who is eagerly sought by employers in today’s brewing industry
- Flexibility to choose between an in-person or online program that fits your needs
- Industry recognition
- Access to some of the best brewing instructors in the world
- Networking opportunities with peers and professionals in both the brewing and brewing supply industries
FAQs
How to get started?
Fill out the online form below and speak with an enrollment coach to get your application started. During this process, you will choose either the in-person or online program and provide your personal background information, résumé, transcripts and motivation for applying. Unofficial transcripts are accepted and must show completion of all prerequisites. You will also indicate how you learned about the program.
How much does the program cost?
The in-person Master Brewers Certificate Program costs $16,000 and includes tuition, textbooks and materials.
The online program tuition is $13,200, with required textbooks and materials costing an additional $1,400. Online students may also choose to attend a one-week bootcamp at UC Davis for an additional $1,400.
Scholarships are available and VA education benefits are accepted.
For more information, please contact an enrollment coach at [email protected]Is there a minimum age requirement for the Master Brewers Certificate Program?
Students must be 21 years of age when they begin the Master Brewers Certificate Program.
Do I need a degree to enroll in this program?
No. While you must provide proof that you have completed college-level courses in one math (pre-calculus) and two science courses (biological sciences, chemistry, physics or engineering), a degree is not required to enroll in this program.
Training options
Offered in-person and online, our program will help you meet your goals wherever you are.
Unparalleled networking
Form life-long relationships with fellow students and instructors that can help advance your career.
Industry recognition
Earn a professional certificate that is respected and sought after in the brewing industry.