The Business of Craft Brewing is a new online course from Portland State University

Brewing is becoming so popular, prestigious universities are offering curriculum to allow smart and impassioned beer lovers the opportunity to realize their dreams of working at a brewery or maybe, better yet, starting a genuine craft brewery themselves. Portland State University (PSU) is one of those outstanding colleges, and it just announced it was offering a brewing program (in four parts) called The Business of Craft Brewing. And guess what? It’s online, so you can signup right now.

In this comprehensive online program you will actually learn from local brewers and distillers, as well as PSU School of Business faculty and finance and accounting experts who specialize in the craft beverage business. The curriculum provides a thorough overview of the processes that go into making and selling craft beverages, including basic business principles, how to develop your brand, marketing and distribution strategies and all of the financing, legal and accounting issues faced by craft beverage businesses every day. According to the PSU web page: “By the end of the program, you will have an investor-ready business plan for your own craft beverage business.” Pretty impressive statement.

The four “certificate courses” are: Basic Business for Craft Beverages, Craft Beverage Business Management, Strategic Craft Beverage Marketing and Finance and Accounting for the Craft Brewery. Scroll over to the 2013-14 Course Schedule for more information and to register. In addition to the four online courses, PSU also offers an optional Craft Beverage Immersion Weekend in Portland. Local breweries, distilleries and suppliers participating in this program include everyone from Rogue Brewery and Widmer Brothers Brewing to Great Western Malting and JV Northwest (the last is an excellent brewhouse vessel manufacturer).

According to the college: “The Business of Craft Brewing program is designed for anyone with an interest in the business side of craft beverages, from grower to glass. The college’s primary focus is primarily on craft brewing, but also includes business models for distilleries and alcoholic cider facilities as well.”