Grain to Glass: New Online Program at Kalamazoo Valley Expands Access to Aspiring Brewers Nationwide

Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Sustainable Brewing Program is now accessible to students across the United States through an innovative new online format.

This expansion aims to eliminate geographical barriers, making high-quality brewing education affordable, flexible and available to anyone pursuing a career in the brewing industry. Students in the program will gain the skills necessary for success in both production and non-production roles. The program, the first of its kind in Michigan, will be available for the Fall 2025 semester.

"We have been building this program for two years," said Sustainable Brewing instructor Aaron Ross. "We are excited to offer our students even more opportunities within our program to provide them with multiple options for careers."

This degree is personalized and flexible, and designed, in part, to recognize traditional coursework available at Kalamazoo Valley in addition to structured on-the-job training, military, trade/proprietary schools and apprenticeship programs. Students with industry experience may test out of coursework and be awarded credit for certain classes up to 15 credit hours.

The coursework covers interdisciplinary topics, including beer production, hospitality and business. Led by experienced full-time instructors with decades of industry expertise, the new program allows students to earn an occupational trades studies (OTS) associate degree in as little as four semesters.

Students can choose between two flexible learning pathways: either fully virtual coursework with lab experience integrated into their brewery-related current place of employment or fully virtual coursework supplemented by weekly in-person lab sessions at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building at 418 E. Walnut St. in downtown Kalamazoo. The program has a fully licensed and operational brewery and taproom on campus.

An 18-hour certificate of achievement and a 30-hour certificate program are also among the new program's offerings.

Kalamazoo Valley's new online Sustainable Brewing Program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and serves as an excellent choice for both traditional students entering the industry and non-traditional learners looking to specialize in beer and brewing.

The college launched its Sustainable Brewing Program in 2015. The program is a two-time champion at the U.S. Open College Beer Championship, and a bronze medalist in the Great American Beer Festival, and has won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals in a plethora of other competitions. Alumni of the program have found success in the beverage industry across a wide array of operations and fields of study.

"It has been incredible to see our program grow," said Sustainable Brewing instructor Brian Lindberg. "We have many students who have seen success from their time at Kalamazoo Valley. We look forward to seeing how providing this online course option will bring in even more passionate students ready to kick-start their careers."

Registration for the fall semester is now open. Visit www.kvcc.edu/register.

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