Certificate in Professional Brewing/Distilling Technology (PBDT)

Learn More about what the BDC is all about!

We’re excited you’re here! Our mission at the Brewing + Distilling Center is to equip students with the right knowledge and experience to land their dream job in the craft brewing and distilling industry.

NOW REGISTERING FOR 2021 Winter Session: February 8 – May 5, 2021

Course Summary:

This course work is designed to train anyone to be employable in the Brewing and/or the Distilling industries. Strong classroom work, explaining the theories of brewing and distilling, will set the tone for practical brew house and distillery hands-on experience. We have our own Brewing Pilot System to brew as many batches as possible. We will also visit other local breweries and distilleries for lectures and hands-on work. All classes are taught by experts in their field, professional brewers, and distillers. There is no other Brewing and Distilling training in the South that compares to our proven method and industry networking that results in jobs after graduation.

LENGTH: 13 Weeks

HOURS WEEKLY: 12 Hours/Week
DAYS/HOURS: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 5.30pm – 8.30 or 9.30pm; Wednesday Brew Days: 4.00pm – 10pm
LOCATION: Classroom– 130 Bearden Place, Knoxville TN 37917; Pilot System Brewing: Geezer Brewing Company, Knoxville, TN

Need some help with tuition? Veterans Administration Educational Benefits (GI Bill) and WIOA Federal Funding for qualified folks

3 Options for Learning:

ON-GROUND PBDT PROGRAM

GI BILL FUNDING AVAILABLE
Get the full, hands-on experience of learning to brew and distill like the pros with our instructor-led classes.
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ACCELERATED PBDT PROGRAM
Can’t make it to class? Learn to brew & distill in the convenience of your own home with our live streamed instruction classes.
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HYBRID PBDT PROGRAM

Get the best of both options for learning with hands on experience and live streamed instruction.
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Meet Our Recent Graduates

Daniel Holtkamp - Blackberry Farm Brewery, TN

We Have Grads All Over!

Founders Brewing Co.; Terrapin Brewing Co.; Sugarlands Distilling; Tennessee Distilling Group; Old Forge Distilling; Knox Whiskey Works; Blackhorse Brew Pub; Crafty Bastard Brewing Co.; Smoky Mountain Brewing Co.; Lagunitas Brewing Co.; Karl Strauss Brewing Co.; Stone Brewing Co.; Pretentious Brewing Co.; and many others.

What You Will Learn

If you’ve ever seriously considered starting a career in the craft brewing industry, there’s no better place in the southeast than The Brewing + Distilling Center in Knoxville, TN to help educate you on the essentials needed to become a valuable asset to any craft brewery. We’ve already helped countless people achieve their dreams of becoming a master brewer or distiller, and we’d love to add you to that growing list! We’ll provide you with a strong foundation of fundamentals from the history of beer and brewing all the way to the intricate sciences the goes into brewing a fine craft beer.

BREWING BASIC TECHNOLOGY

basic beer brewing class image

History of beer and brewing
Overall process of brewing
Brewing engineering and fluid dynamics
Brewing and fermentation science foundations
Beverage chemistry
Yeast biology and microbiology
Laboratory basics

THE BREWING PROCESS

brew master instructing students on beer brewing processes

Raw materials- water, barley, malting and hops
Mashing and wort production
Fermentation and yeast
NEW: 10-hours of Barrel-Aging and Sour Beer program (collaborative with Elkmont Exchange Brewery)

BREWERY BUSINESS FOUNDATIONS

beer brewing business foundations class image

General business practices
Your Business Plan
Financials
Where to start and who can help
OSHA Forklift Training

DISTILLING PROCESS

Distilling instructors holding barrell of spirits

Distilling fundamentals
Mashing: corn vs. barley
Practical applications-distillery experiences

POST FERMENTATION PROCESSES

BDC visiting Thunder Road Distillery

Flavor production and off-flavors
Packaging
Beer Styles
Quality control testing
Sanitation

CLASSROOM + PRACTICAL

Beer brewing school graduates
154 Total Hours: 110 class/44 practical
Classroom Hours: 110 Hrs
Brew House/Practical Hours: 30
Volunteer Industry-Related Hours: 14

Great opportunity for veteran students

career opportunities for veterans image

The BDC is now taking applications for GI Bill benefits for veterans for the 2019 PBDT Certificate Program FALL SESSION (August 26, 2019). The application for approval for the GI Bill has been made and is in process for the training of veterans and their eligible dependents.

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Brewing & Distilling Center