On April 30, the MiraCosta College BrewTech Program graduated its 10th cohort of brewers with a happy hour celebration.
The hybrid course, which includes lab time in an on-site brewery, focuses on “grain-to-glass hands-on experience.” The course is perfect for the home brewer looking to hone their craft or the person looking to enter the brewing industry.
The MCC BrewTech lab has recently invested in all new equipment, according to executive director Thomas Tubon. “This program is an amazing asset for our Technology Career Institute,” Tubon said. “And we have plans to expand.”
The program is the only one in California recognized by the Master Brewers Association of the Americas. It provides the training and expertise for an industry with a 6% projected job growth.
The course requires 5-8 hours of homework each week with in-person labs one weekday per week and two Saturdays. To a graduate, the in-person lab time was the key to learning the craft and making the connections for future opportunities.
Graduate Mitch Freeman is a home brewer who took the course “to see what’s out there and become a better brewer.” According to Freeman, the best part of the program is “getting in here and doing it.”
Brian Casey, a member of the first cohort, returned to congratulate the new graduates. Casey recalled the key to the course is “learning the whole process front to back, the science behind it” and added: “It’s a lot of fun. I’m a hands-on learner, so this was perfect for me.”
Program supervisor, and beertender for the evening, Carisa Chavez said the key to the program’s continued success is: “We adapt our program to fit the needs of the workforce. As things change, we are flexible and adapt. And we collaborate with the brewing community. We thrive together and support one another.”
The course is taught by three industry leaders who have proven track records: Mike Stevenson, Culver Beer Co.; Johnny Johur, Artifex Brewing; and Garrett Perkins, Booze Brothers Brewing Co. Johur and Perkins are graduates of the program, cohorts 3 and 9, respectively.
“This program has allowed us a way to give back to the beer industry and train the next generation of brewing professionals,” Stevenson said.
“The brewing industry is a tight-knit community,” Johur said. “We are not competitors, we’re friends lifting each other up. You can see it in our cohorts too. We support each other to succeed.”
“This is what I wish I had when I first entered the industry,” Stevenson said. “Seeing the spark in the students just starting their careers is motivating and rewarding.”
Graduate Trevor Checchi illustrates that enthusiasm with his evident pride in the beers he made: “It’s not just talking about beer. We apply the knowledge we study here in the lab,” Checchi said.
The number of returning students, especially those with their own brewery success to show for the effort, was impressive as well. Diane Hilz, The Roadies Brewing, was there and clearly impressed with the new crop of brewers. Joshua Vina, Breakwater and Barley & Sword Brewing, was all smiles as he met up with Hilz and Kylie from Pure Project. The chance for the new graduates to rub elbows — or more accurately, share a pint. — with industry professionals is all part of the program’s success.
Of course, it would be a sad state of affairs if graduating brewers didn’t have something to share with the friends, family and industry professionals there to celebrate with them.
There were eight beers on tap, all brewed by the new cohort. All were excellent, clean drinking and true to their respective styles. The XPA, a hop-forward but light ale, was canned for the occasion. Learning the canning process is also part of course.
Beyond the graduates, the stars of the show were the Belgian blonde ale and the German lager. Both of these beers require craftsmanship and skill due to the subtleties of the style. There’s no short cuts or hiding imperfections. Both of these beers were evidence of the readiness of the graduates to make their mark in the industry.
For more information about the MiraCosta College BrewTech program, contact [email protected].
Jeff Spanier is the co-host of I Like Beer the Podcast. Take a listen wherever you get podcasts. Follow Spanier’s adventures on Instagram @ilikebeerthepodcast.
