Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Flathead Valley Community College Launches Montana's First Brewing Science and Brewery Operations Program

  • 06/01/15

KALISPELL, MT – This fall, Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) will introduce Montana’s first brewing science and brewery operations program to prepare individuals for entry-level careers in the rapidly growing craft beer industry. With only a handful of these programs taught in the nation, FVCC’s program was developed with the input of many local craft brewing businesses to meet the workforce needs at the local and national levels.

According to the Craft Brewers Association, the craft beer industry is growing at a rate of 17 percent annually, currently representing 20 percent of the market share in national beer sales. It is estimated that a new craft brewery opens every 16 hours in the United States and over 115,000 craft brewing industry jobs were created across the nation in 2014. Montana ranks among the top five states in craft breweries per capita.

Students who successfully complete the two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program will have gained practical experience in brewing through coursework and internships at Montana breweries. Graduates will have the skills to demonstrate the fundamental techniques of brewing beer and the understanding of the microbiology and biochemistry concepts involved in beer fermentation. The program also will focus on the production, selection and analysis of brewing materials, including malt and hops; evaluation of beer quality; classification of beer style and characteristics; brewery operations safety; packaging and handling technologies; practical aspects of the brewing process; and business principles, including compliance and licensing.

Featured

  • FGCU Breaks Ground on New Health Sciences Building

    Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has launched construction on a major new academic facility that leaders say will reshape healthcare education in Southwest Florida for decades to come, according to university news.

  • From Approval to Opening: Inside Travis Unified School District’s Fast Tracked Campus Expansion

    The Travis Unified School District (TUSD) in northern California includes several elementary and high schools serving over 5,400 students. In 2024, the TUSD Board approved the addition of sixth grade to the Golden West Middle School campus for the 2025–26 school year, setting in motion an accelerated effort to bring new facilities online in less than a year.

  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Launches New Emergency Communications System

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) recently deployed a new emergency notification and incident management system for its campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with 911Cellular to launch Safe@UTC, a smartphone app allowing university officials to communicate and respond during emergency situations.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.