The Taproom is the Classroom at Master Brewer Academy
Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Ever heard of turning beer into your career? In recent years, that's just what some brew aficionados are doing. The craft brewing industry has grown substantially over the past decade. There are over 16,486 craft beer production employees in the U.S., an increase of 5.4% on average over the last five years, according to IBISWorld.
Master Brewer Academy Director of Education Todd Space
In part of the industry's expansion, Miami’s first and only Master Brewer Academy (MBA) is launching a new 2023 program just in time for those looking to celebrate a “new year, new you, new brew” by either making a career change or upping their home brew game.
Conveniently spread out over nights and weekends, the 11-month program starts January 5 and includes a three-week internship. Founded and led by Director of Education Todd Space, MBA’s classroom is the taproom with curriculum taught inside South Florida’s most noteworthy breweries, including Est. 33 (where Todd is head brewer), Cerveceria La Tropical, The Tank Brewing Co. and Tarpon River Brewing, and taught by their respective head brewers.
"South Florida’s thriving brewing scene welcomes students to literally tap into the market and learn all phases of beer production," explains Space who boasts 20 years of experience as a brewer and professional science teacher. "From grinding malt to adjusting water chemistry and propagating yeast in the lab, MBA students will gain the knowledge and application to work toward becoming a brewer."
The MBA curriculum is designed for diverse learning styles, emphasizes the need for hands-on, practical instruction and balances the art and science of brewing by covering a range of industry subjects including brewing science, field technology, equipment and the business of beer. MBA graduates have gone on to brew at breweries across Florida, the U.S. and Central and South America.
The Master Brewer Academy consists of four modules containing 11 different topics. Although enrollees are encouraged to go through the entire 11 months, drop-ins are welcome, with 12 seats available per topic.
The classes aren't just for novices. Current industry employees are encouraged to level up their learning by jumping into topics that will round-out their brewery skill sets.
Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students can enroll in the 11-month program for $7,950 (there is a 15% “pay in full” discount) and will receive a “Certificate of Completion” when all coursework and required internship hours are successfully completed. See the modules below:
Module 1: The Science of Brewing - 4 topics
Module 2: Brewing Equipment and Technology - 3 topics
Module 3: Internship
Module 4: Advanced topics - 4 topics
"Master Brewer Academy strives to be a driving force in the region's emerging status as a leader in the brewing arena," said Space. “We are helping to build credibility for South Florida's craft brew community by providing locally trained people with a solid foundation in brewing science.”