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Get Your MBA, Master of Beer Appreciation, or Learn about BJCP or Cicerone® Training, or Explore the IUPUI Essentials of Brewery Operations Program!

Beer classes

Thanks for your interest in either our regular Beer MBA classes, or our other beer-related training classes, or the Essentials of Brewery Operations Program and other classes I teach at IUPUI and Ivy Tech. Hopefully this page will answer all your questions and provide the information you need. If you still require any additional information, don't hesitate to contact us.

Beer MBA Classes

For more information on the regular Beer MBA classes, continue reading below and/or Click here to sign up!

Currently, we are conducting approximately 2 class series per year, around the Spring and Fall, as listed below. Classes are typically on Tues, Wed or Thur Nights from 6:00pm - 10:00pm, or on Sat afternoons from 2:30 - 6:30.

Fall 2022 Series – At the Indianapolis Liederkranz at 1417 East Washington Street (near downtown):

  • Saturday, Oct 22 - 2:30-6:30
  • Saturday, Nov 12 - 2:30-6:30
  • Saturday, Dec 3 - 2:30-6:30

Spring 2023 Series:

  • Spring schedule will be released in the Fall of 2022.

More info on these classes can be found further below.

BJCP Exam Study Groups

For more information on the BJCP Exam Study Groups and becoming a BJCP judge, click here. Also, for more information about the Beer Judge Certification (BJCP) program, see www.BJCP.org.

Beer Expert Training Classes (for the Cicerone® exams)

For more information on Beer Expert Training Classes and becoming a Certified Cicerone®, click here. Also, for more information about the Cicerone program, see www.Cicerone.org.

IUPUI and Ivy Tech World Beer Styles College Courses

I teach a World Beer Styles and Sensory Analysis type program at both IUPUI (Indiana University, Purdue University, at Indianapolis) www.IUPUI.edu and Ivy Tech Community College www.IvyTech.edu. You must be a student at these respective colleges to take these classes, which are part of their Beverage Management Certificate Programs, or taken as electives, etc. These classes are also Beer Expert Training Classes and students can become Certified Cicerones®, click here. For more information about the Cicerone program, see www.Cicerone.org.

IUPUI 7-Day Essentials of Brewery Operations Program

This is an intensive concise course in Craft Brewery Operations. This 7-day Certificate Program is designed for anyone wanting to work in the Craft Brewing Industry. Participants Do Not need to be a student at IUPUI and there are No Prerequisites (though some brewing experience or exposure would be beneficial). The full 7-day program is very reasonably priced and class days are generally 2 weeks apart to make them easier to attend. The program is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of beer styles, off flavors, ingredients, water chemistry, and brewing processes, as well as a good foundational overview of commercial brewing equipment, processes, packaging, quality control measures, tests and data, serving and tap room operations, and more. This is knowledge to help introduce students to all aspects of professional brewing operations, from brewing, QC and packaging, to tap room operations, marketing and sales. The course is designed for people wanting to enter this rapidly growing industry in various operational roles. In addition to the class room time, at least 3 half-days will be held at Sun King Brewery for some practical knowledge, plus there are multiple "after-class" technical brewery tours at various other local Indy breweries. Huge Thanks to Sun King for their support of this program and their desire to help create a more educated, quality-driven craft beer workforce. Visit the following link to learn more about this program and/or to sign up. https://expand.iu.edu/browse/pdce/courses/essentials-of-brewery-operations-2023. Class topics include the following.

  • Class 1: World Beer Styles and Sensory Analysis

  • Class 2: US Beer and Craft Beer Styles, Trends and History

  • Class 3: Beer Ingredients and Their Impact on Brewing

  • Class 4: Brewhouse Equipment and Operations

  • Class 5: Fermentation and Cellaring Operations

  • Class 6: Packaging and Quality Control

  • Class 7: Brewery, Tap House & Bar Operations

ALSO, for ALL of the various classes listed above, please sign up for our email list to receive occasional information on these topics.

Also, like the Beer MBA Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beer-MBA-Classes/276839992356324

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Beer MBA Classes - More Than Just a Tasting

This is a unique opportunity for people at all knowledge levels to learn more about the World's Classic Beer Styles, as well as a little about Brewing Processes and Ingredients, Beer and Food Pairing, and more. As we sample each beer, we'll briefly discuss its origin, history and what makes it unique. This is a really fun experience. Don't miss it!

  • Designed for Everyone (must be 21 years of age)

  • Flexible Schedule - Take Any Class in Any Order (after attending a Class 1)

  • Take All 3 Classes and Get Your "MBA Certificate"

  • Only $55 per 4-hr Class (includes free samples of all beers)

  • Discounts available:
    • Sign up for all 3 classes for $150 total
    • Contact for group discounts

Class 1 Beer Styles (Q17)

  • Czech Pilsner
  • American Pale Ale
  • American India Pale Ale (IPA)
  • American Wheat
  • German Hefeweizen / Weiss
  • Belgian / French Saison Ale
  • Belgian Tripel Strong Ale
  • Flanders Red Belgian Sour Ale
  • English Ale / Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
  • Scottish Export 80 Ale
  • English Northern Brown Ale
  • Munich Dunkel Lager
  • American Robust Porter
  • Irish Dry Stout
  • German Doppelbock
  • English Strong Barleywine
  • Specialty Beer

Class 2 Beer Styles (Q18)

  • English Ale / Ordinary Bitter
  • German Sour / Berliner Weisse
  • German Dunkelweizen
  • German Oktoberfest
  • American Steam Beer
  • American Amber / Red Ale
  • European Dortmunder Export
  • English India Pale Ale (IPA)
  • German Schwarzbier
  • London Brown Porter
  • Sweet / Milk / Cream Stout
  • Foreign Extra Strong Stout
  • European Helles / Pale Bock
  • Belgian Blond Strong Ale
  • Belgian Dark Strong Ale
  • Scottish Strong / Wee Heavy
  • American Strong Barleywine
  • German Smoked Rauchbier

Class 3 Beer Styles (Q17)

  • Munich Helles Lager
  • Belgian White / Witbier
  • European / Vienna Amber
  • Cologne Germany Kolsch
  • English Ale / Best Bitter
  • German Dusseldorf Altbier
  • American Brown Ale
  • American Strong Stout
  • American Imperial IPA
  • Belgian Farmhouse Sour Ale / Gueuze
  • Belgian Sour / Fruit Lambic
  • Belgian Dubbel Strong Ale
  • German Weizenbock
  • Russian / Baltic Strong Porter
  • English Old Ale / Strong Ale
  • German Eisbock (ice bier)
  • Wood / Bourbon Barrel-Aged

Note: Specific beers may need to be substituted due to the availability of unique styles, but each class will always have a similarly interesting line-up.

Additional Demos & Discussions

  • In each class, we will discuss and sample a different set of Flavors and Common Off-Flavors found in beer.

  • Also in the classes, there will be brief overviews of different Brewing Techniques, Processes and Ingredients, some History discussion, Beer and Food Pairing, and more.

Additional Information

  • Samples are spaced out well to avoid overindulgence, but designated drivers are always encouraged. Since the education is what is being paid for, designated drivers may not participate in the class in any way.

Current classes are scheduled as stated at the top of the page. Note that more classes may be added or these classes may need to be eliminated or changed due to demand or schedule conflicts. If a class is rescheduled, you will receive a refund or be placed in a different class at your discretion.

All 2023 Series Classes Will Be Announced Late in 2022!

Note: Special Occasional Classes for Alumni Only will be introduced in the future. Stay tuned.

Note: To get on our mailing list to be notified about future dates and to let us know your interest in attending future sessions, please fill out the form on the Contact page!

Click here to sign up!

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Beer Styles, Brewery Operations, BJCP, Beer Expert Training for Cicerone®, and Private / Special Class Sessions All Available

Beer MBA classes are offered each Spring and Fall, BJCP Exam Prep and Beer Expert Training (for taking the Cicerone® exams) are scheduled as needed, and Brewery Operations courses are offered each Spring (and maybe in the Fall). Special class sessions for beer distributors, wait staff and others in the beer industry can be customized to meet your needs and offered anytime. Private sessions for parties and events can also be arranged. See Classes for more information!