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While many of us did plenty of beer "research" in college, now a new continuing education course gives you the chance to actually study the subject legitimately.The new class, entitled "A Class of Beer: An Overview of the Craft Brewing Renaissance," is offered through UCLA Extension—the fully-accredited sister school of UCLA—for anyone over 21 looking to learn the history of beer and the finer points of appreciation, according to L.A. Weekly. The hop-fueled course covers both the overall history of brewing and how the "U.S. craft beer revolution" has and is influencing beer-making worldwide. You'll also learn to properly taste—even if you thought you already knew how— and how to best pair beer with food. You'll learn what it takes to become a certified beer judge as well as a Cicerone (aka beer sommelier). For those interested in the business side of beer, you'll also learn how to start and run a brewery, open a bottle shop or beer bar, and the ins-and-outs of distribution and marketing.
The course is taught by beer pro Tomm Carrol, who is a certified beer judge and regular contributor to beer-centric publications like Beer Paper L.A. and Celebrator. In addition to learning from Carrol, students will learn from local guest brewmasters and take site visits to breweries like Monkish Brewing and tap room/beer stores like Select Beer.
The eight-week course meets on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and starts March 28. You can check out the course syllabus here (pdf) and learn more and sign up for the course here.
And if you're curious, you can also learn about the beer courses offered at Cal Poly Pomona's extension program.