Economic development staff look how to help local brewers

Last week Escondido city develop­ment staff and representatives from local brewing companies met at Cal State University San Marcos to dis­cuss the feasibility of creating “EngiBeering” a brewing science pro­gram that would support the brewing industry.

Representatives from Stone Brew­ing and Offbeat Brewing, in addition to over a dozen other craft breweries from around the county, attended the session.

CSUSM recently received a grant to develop the framework for the program, and shared that framework with the group to gather practical feedback from brewers and brewery owners in the field.

Brewers emphasized the need for more technical expertise in their workforce, specifically in the areas of fermentation and quality assurance. Additionally, brewers agreed that on- site apprenticeship programs at craft breweries were crucial.

Those attending overwhelmingly supported creating a certificate pro­gram offered at CSUSM so the craft beer industry can continue to grow and thrive while employing local, skilled talent.

More information will become available as program planning and curriculum development move for­ward.