Brewers need some business knowledge
The industry of craft beer is becoming popular even in universities which are starting to offer classes in the business of craft beer.
As the industry of craft beer is on the rise, crafters need more than passion and knowledge of the craft to make their business competitive of a tough market. Sensing an opportunity and a need in this field some universities started offering programs and classes in the business of craft beer.
According to the Brewers Association the number of craft breweries in the United States has grown from about 4,000 ten years ago to more than 1,400 last year.
University of Vermont starts a new online certificate program in the business of craft beer in February. According to Gregory Dunkling, director of the program, breweries started ten years ago afforded to start without any business knowledge and hire staff for sales, marketing and business operation along the way but in today’s competitive market it would be way harder to succeed without an advantage in face of the competition. And business knowledge might be exactly the advantage you were looking for.
According to chief economist of the Brewer’s Association, Bart Watson, as the industry became more competitive it became harder for newcomers to stay on the market. People starting a business these days need to have both brewing and business knowledge. This is exactly what many universities are trying to capitalize on.
The first online program on the business of craft brewing started at the Portland State University in 2013 and it soon became one of the most popular professional certificate programs of the university. Director of communications Scott Gallagher says that the program draws people from all over the world.
According to Gallagher many of the students enrolled in the program needed more knowledge in fields like marketing for example and they didn’t want to go to college or already had a college degree and they were looking for advanced knowledge in this particular field.
Portland State University is now looking at ways to expand the program as it became so popular and the demand is way higher than the offer.
Other universities with certificate programs in the business of craft beer are the University of Portland but also the College of Extended Studies from the San Diego State University. The latter holds its classes in campus and at local breweries.
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