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.
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