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CIP 01.1003 Agriculture

Brewing Science

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

37

2025 · 6 schools

International share

0.0%

0 international students

Bachelor's degrees

8

0.0% international

Master's degrees

7

0.0% international

Overview

Brewing Science is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the processes involved in the production of beer and other fermented beverages. It encompasses various aspects such as microbiology, chemistry, engineering, and food science, making it a comprehensive study for anyone interested in the brewing industry.

Students of Brewing Science learn about the fermentation process, which is critical to creating alcoholic beverages. They study yeast biology and fermentation kinetics, as yeast plays a vital role in converting sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Additionally, students explore the chemical reactions that occur during brewing, including the Maillard reaction, which contributes to the flavor and color of the beer.

The curriculum often includes practical brewing techniques, where students gain hands-on experience in brewing labs. This practical knowledge is essential for understanding the various equipment and technologies used in modern breweries, including fermentation tanks, filtration systems, and packaging processes.

Moreover, Brewing Science also examines the business side of the industry, including marketing, quality control, and regulatory compliance. Students learn about the importance of sustainability and sourcing local ingredients, as the craft beer movement emphasizes unique flavors and responsible brewing practices.

Graduates of Brewing Science can pursue careers as brewers, quality assurance specialists, process engineers, or even start their own breweries. With the growing craft beer industry, the demand for skilled professionals in this field continues to rise, making Brewing Science a promising and exciting area of study for those passionate about beer and fermentation.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2020 to 2025, graduates grew 76% and the international share went from 0.0% to 0.0%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
73.0%
Asian
2.7%
Hispanic
5.4%
Black
5.4%
Other
13.5%
Intl.
0.0%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 6 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#100 Auburn University Alabama 7 0
#169 Colorado State University-Fort Collins Colorado 8 0
— Chattahoochee Technical College Georgia 9 0
— Schenectady County Community College New York 7 0
— Bucks County Community College Pennsylvania 4 0
— Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Ohio 2 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Food Batchmakers 174,520 $21.04 $43,750
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 60,100 $26.94 $56,030
Food Science Technicians 14,600 $27.24 $56,660
Food Scientists and Technologists 13,060 $45.85 $95,360

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2020–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.