You know that feeling? The one you get when you finally settle onto your couch and truly unwind. While some people gravitate toward a relaxing yoga session and others pursue exotic hobbies, nothing beats an ice-cold brew. Whether crafting beer at home or exploring a new brewery in town, there’s a thriving culture surrounding craft beer. No need to rely on grabbing the usual 6-pack on your Friday commute home. You can create your own unique blends of hops and ingredients, fermenting them to perfection.
Whether you’d like to experiment with a few brews in your garage or share your creations with the entire neighborhood through your own brewery, there’s both science and artistry behind crafting exceptional beer.
If you’re ready to explore the exciting world of beer brewing, you’ll need to learn from the experts. We’ve reviewed the top 7 online beer brewing courses for you, covering everything from home brewing basics to brewery management and apprenticeship programs.
1. Learn How to Brew Beer at Home in 5 Easy Steps (Udemy)
One of the finest online beer brewing courses comes from Udemy. Udemy serves as a comprehensive hub for courses on virtually any topic imaginable, and beer brewing is no exception. This foundational course provides a step-by-step guide to producing your first homebrew, complete with equipment lists and a pale ale recipe. You’ll also master the bottling process to share your creation with friends.
Lifetime access to this course includes over two hours of video lectures and three downloadable resources. Stream the video lectures from your computer, mobile device, or TV, making it possible to learn wherever you prefer. Discover everything from equipment functionality to how fermentation processes transform yeast in this engaging and informative home brewing course.
2. Beer: The Science of Brewing (edX)
Exceptional craft beer results from a precise combination of ingredients, chemical reactions, and carefully controlled processes that ultimately determine taste and aroma. To produce superior craft beer, whether at home or in a brewery, understanding how these elements work together is crucial. Brewing is fundamentally about science, and this course from KULeuvenX through the edX platform delivers all the essential knowledge.
This intermediate course spans 13 weeks and requires approximately four to six hours of weekly study. The curriculum includes 11 modules plus a final exam. Industry professionals and expert speakers provide unique insights into craft brewing. While completely free to audit, you can also earn a certificate to enhance your resume.
3. The Science of Beer (edX)
Seeking an introductory course that covers all the fundamentals? The Science of Beer course developed by Wageningen University and Research delivers exactly that. You’ll explore the ingredients used in beer production and the supply chain involved. The fascinating process of transforming raw materials into beer receives comprehensive coverage. Additionally, you’ll learn how beer reaches consumers through mass media channels like television and social media.
The course also examines how beer affects your body, both in short-term and long-term contexts. Spanning just six weeks with two to four hours of weekly study, this introductory course earned an edX prize nomination for 2019.
4. Craft Beer & Brewing
Sometimes a single course isn’t sufficient, particularly if you’re planning to elevate beer brewing beyond a garage hobby. With Craft Beer & Brewing, your yearly subscription provides access to over 50 courses. Earn certificates and expand your skill set with each completed course. All courses are self-paced and feature video lectures, interactive media, and knowledge-testing quizzes.
Access your courses from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Enjoy weekly emails and exclusive monthly brewing videos reserved for subscribers. Receive fresh magazine issues plus complete archive access. Course offerings include Brewing with Alternative Grains, Advanced Yeast Management, and Successful Kettle Souring with Resident Culture Brewing.
5. Chemistry of Beer (University of Oklahoma)
The Chemistry of Beer course offered by prestigious OU examines the chemical and biochemical reactions occurring between beer’s four primary ingredients. You’ll explore everything from fundamental beer chemistry to beer’s historical origins stretching back millennia. While chemistry-focused, the course benefits everyone from homebrewers to craft beer enthusiasts.
This course accommodates both OU students and independent learners. If you need college credit, you can earn one simply by studying beer. On-campus students complete this course over eight weeks, while distance learning students progress at their own pace.
6. Beer Quality and Analysis (Oregon State University)
While not entirely online, the Beer Quality and Analysis series at Oregon State University offers advanced brewers unique insights into production brewing. Begin with online learning, then attend a week-long campus seminar in Corvallis, Oregon. During the campus experience, gain hands-on training from highly respected brewing industry professionals. The hop farm tour is an unmissable highlight.
Oregon State University operates a globally recognized fermentation science research program focusing on both brewing chemistry and production scaling processes. Students attending the on-site portion will experience not only exceptional brews but Oregon’s distinctive brewing culture as well.
7. Executive Overview of the Brewing Process (Seibel Institute)
This overview course targets decision-makers within breweries or those aspiring to such roles, helping them understand fundamental operations. While professionalism matters and ethics remain vital, making sound business choices determines financial and managerial success. The World Brewing Academy and Doemens have partnered with the Seibel Institute to create this comprehensive overview.
Available entirely online, you’ll study for just three weeks totaling 21 hours. Designed as an introduction to brewery and industry operations, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of everything from supply chain management to marketing strategies. When it comes to brewing and business operations education, the Seibel Institute stands as a top-tier, industry-recommended institution.
Online beer brewing courses exist for every skill level and operation size, depending on your interests. You might discover that starting with a 5-gallon bucket of homebrew evolves into a genuine passion. Wherever you begin this exciting journey, you’ll find valuable instruction and mentorship online, plus fellowship with fellow craft beer enthusiasts. Use this guide to the best online beer brewing courses and start brewing today!
