Brewing Laboratory Science Minor
- Minor
- In-Person
- Greeley
Turn your interest in craft brewing into scientific expertise
This minor gives you hands-on experience with brewing science at both microbrewery and industrial scales—whether you’re exploring the craft or preparing for a career in the thriving beer industry.
You’ll gain comprehensive knowledge of brewing chemistry and microbiology while mastering the practical skills breweries demand.
Extensive laboratory work trains you in American Society of Brewing Chemists methods—the industry standard for beer analysis — so you can evaluate quality, troubleshoot production issues and understand what makes exceptional beer.
From fermentation science to component analysis, you’ll bridge theory and practice in ways that prepare you for immediate industry impact.
Developed in partnership with alumni-owned Crabtree Brewery and its renowned Top Hop Program, this certificate program provides hands-on training in brewing science and laboratory techniques.
Master the science behind great beer. Whether you’re drawn to craft brewing or planning a career in the beer industry, this minor gives you the technical expertise breweries need — from fermentation chemistry to quality control.
With this 18-credit minor, you’ll explore the full spectrum of brewing science through extensive hands-on laboratory work. By graduation, you’ll understand brewing at both microbrewery and industrial scales, equipped with skills that translate directly to production floors and quality labs.
View course requirements for the Brewing Laboratory Science minor in the UNC Catalog.
The Science Behind the Beer
Master the science. Craft your career.
The craft boom isn’t slowing down. Your skills will set you apart. Brewing laboratory science skills are in higher demand than ever. With over 9,200 craft breweries across the U.S.—and Colorado ranking fourth in the nation with 433—the competition for quality is fierce.
Consistent beer quality separates successful breweries from the rest. As the industry continues to grow, breweries need trained professionals who can ensure every batch meets exacting standards. That’s where you come in.
Whether a startup perfecting its flagship IPA or an established brewery scaling production, the industry needs people who understand the science behind great beer — and can prove it in the lab.
Colorado's craft beverage industry is thriving, and graduates with brewing science expertise are in high demand.
Annual Bears, Brews and Bites Festival
Each fall before the first home football game, Bears fans gather for an afternoon of craft beer, great food and UNC pride at our Annual Bears, Brews & Bites festival.
This is where the community comes together to support students like you. This annual fundraiser directly funds scholarships and cutting-edge equipment for the Brewing Lab Sciences Program.
That means more hands-on opportunities in your BREW courses, access to professional-grade brewing technology and financial support to help you pursue your passion for craft beverage science.
Students brew and bottle beer at its Northern Colorado Brewhouse, which partners with Yetters Brewing Company to sell the beer publicly.
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Chemistry and Biochemistry
From tiny atoms to big reactions, chemistry helps us understand and improve the world around us. With small classes, hands-on research, and a focus on you, our program prepares students for exciting careers in science and beyond.
Curious about how things work? Start your journey here.
- chemistry@unco.edu
- (970)-351-2559
- Ross Hall, Room 3480
Sean Johnson
Brewing Laboratory Science Program Manager