Beer: the science of brewing from edX

In this course of 12 modules, our team of academic scientists and brewmasters will introduce you to the science underlying beer brewing. At the end of this MOOC, you will understand the science underlying beer production, and why your beer tastes the way it does!

This MOOC also gives you a sneak peek inside some of Belgium’s most iconic breweries. It features talks from Belgian brewers and maltsters, as well as from some of the most renowned academics on key features of the malting and brewing process.

Thirsty for more? Also check out the new postgraduate in malting and brewing sciences that is organized by KU Leuven: https://www.biw.kuleuven.be/studeren/maltingbrewing

What you'll learn

After completing this course, you will be able to:

Explain the importance of the 4 basic ingredients of beer in shaping beer taste and aroma
Understand the different processing steps in malting and beer brewing
Understand the key biochemical reactions occurring during each of these steps
Recognize and describe the main beer styles, and understand how the brewing process contributes to the different beers
Identify key factors affecting beer identity, quality, and stability
Carry out basic sensory analyses of beers and identify key flavors and off-flavors and their molecular origin

What's inside

Learning objectives

Explain the importance of the 4 basic ingredients of beer in shaping beer taste and aroma
Understand the different processing steps in malting and beer brewing
Understand the key biochemical reactions occurring during each of these steps

Recognize and describe the main beer styles, and understand how the brewing process contributes to the different beers
Identify key factors affecting beer identity, quality, and stability
Carry out basic sensory analyses of beers and identify key flavors and off-flavors and their molecular origin

Explain the importance of the 4 basic ingredients of beer in shaping beer taste and aroma
Understand the different processing steps in malting and beer brewing
Understand the key biochemical reactions occurring during each of these steps
Recognize and describe the main beer styles, and understand how the brewing process contributes to the different beers
Identify key factors affecting beer identity, quality, and stability
Carry out basic sensory analyses of beers and identify key flavors and off-flavors and their molecular origin

Syllabus

Module 0: Course introduction Introduction to the main topics and goals covered in this MOOC.

Module 1: History and Overview of the brewing process. A brief history of beer brewing and an overview of the basic steps in the brewing process.

Module 2: Beer ingredients: Malt Exploration of the typical characteristics of cereals used to make different types of beer, as well as the different steps in the malting process. Expert speakers module 2 :

Prof. Christophe Courtin, Full professor at KU Leuven, Leuven Food Science and Nutrition Center, BE

Dr. Sofie Malfliet, Operations Manager at Albert Maltings, BE

Module 3: Beer ingredients: Water Focus on the importance of water composition, how water is treated and its influence on beer quality and taste. You will also investigate your local water quality. Expert speaker module 3 :

Prof. Hedwig Neven, Master brewer, Duvel-Moortgat, BE

Module 4: Beer ingredients: Hops and spices Exploration of the typical characteristics of hops and spices used in beer brewing, and their effect on beer taste and aroma. Expert speakers module 4 :

Prof. Thomas Shellhammer, Nor’Wester Professor of Fermentation Science, Oregon State University, USA

Dr. Gert De Rouck, Brew Master, KU Leuven, BE

Module 5: Beer ingredients: Yeast Introduction to the different brewing yeasts, as well as their metabolites that influence beer. Expert speakers module 5 :

Prof. Kevin Verstrepen, Full professor at KU Leuven, Director of the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, BE

Prof. Bart Lievens, Professor at KU Leuven, BE

Module 6: The brewing process Explanation of the main stages involved in beer brewing. Expert speaker module 6 :

Module 7: Fermentation Exploration of key biochemical reactions during fermentation. Expert speaker module 7 :

Anne-Françoise Pypaert, Brew Master, Orval Brewery, BE

Module 8: Filtration and packaging Overview of filtration and different packaging types. Expert speaker module 8 :

Dr. David De Schutter, Innovation & Technology Development Director Europe, AB InBev Brewery, BE

Module 9: Beer quality and stability Overview of beer quality checks, and what parameters affect beer stability. Expert speaker module 9 :

Prof. Charlie Bamforth, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Food Science and Technology, UC Davis, USA

Module 10: Beer assessment and tasting Get hands-on experience in beer tasting and identifying key (off)flavors. Expert speaker module 10 :

Dr. Veerle Daems, Senior Sensory Scientist, Haystack Consulting, BE

Module 11: Final exam

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Learners can rely on being introduced to the science behind beer brewing

Learners will learn about the importance of the 4 basic ingredients of beer

Learners will understand the processing steps in malting and beer brewing

Learners will learn how key biochemical reactions occur during each step of beer brewing

Learners can expect to recognize and describe the main beer styles

Learners will understand how key factors affect beer identity, quality, and stability

Reviews summary

Beer science: homebrew to biochem

Learners say "Beer: the science of beer" is a well-structured course covering a wide range of topics from homebrewing to the biochemistry of brewing. The course is clear and well-organized with engaging assignments, helpful videos and diagrams, and tests that fairly assess your understanding of the science behind brewing.

Appeals to both homebrewers and professionals.

"The course is loaded with information that is useful to both brewing professionals, and home brewers who want to better manage their beer making."

"As a starting home brewer I knew very little of all the different aspects of making beer and what details can make or ruin your beer."

"The course "beer: the science of beer" combines the theoretical knowledge collected with practice on a small scale as is that of a homebrewer."

Engaging with videos, diagrams, and knowledge checks.

"Everything is well explained with videos, figures, diagrams, etc."

"The format is easily accessible, there is a combination of videos, 'lessons' and practical tests."

"The presenters are interesting and very well qualified."

Explores scientific concepts thoroughly.

"Very intense course, with a lot of scientific informations about all the aspects of beer and brewing."

"I have taken several on-line classes, and this one is by far the most polished. The content is clear and well organized."

"The science and biochemistry is challenging but with some effort you are not left at sea."

Repeated reminders to upgrade to paid version.

"The repeated pointers to the paid version make you loose a star."

"You get access to more information if you are going for the certificate, so consider it."

Can be time-consuming to complete.

"Very intense course, with a lot of scientific informations about all the aspects of beer and brewing. Really well done. Needs a lot of time to understand everything, especially if you're not a specialist in Biochemistry."

"I have taken several on-line classes, and this one is by far the most polished. The content is clear and well organized."

"The science and biochemistry is challenging but with some effort you are not left at sea."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Beer: the science of brewing with these activities:

Watch videos on the brewing process

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Watching videos on the brewing process will help you visualize the steps involved and understand the equipment used.

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Search for videos on YouTube or other video-sharing platforms.
Watch videos that cover the entire brewing process, from malting to packaging.
Pay attention to the details of the process and the equipment used.

Read "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" by Charlie Papazian

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Reading "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the brewing process and inspire you to start brewing your own beer.

View Homebrewer's Companion Second Edition: The... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of the book.
Read through the book at your own pace.
Take notes or highlight important passages.

Solve beer-related calculations

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Solving beer-related calculations will help you develop a deeper understanding of the brewing process.

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Find online resources or textbooks that provide beer-related calculations.
Practice solving calculations related to malt, hops, yeast, and water.
Check your answers against provided solutions or consult with an expert.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Design a beer recipe

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Creating a beer recipe will help you apply the concepts you learn about beer ingredients and the brewing process.

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Research different beer styles and their ingredients.
Select the ingredients for your beer, including the type of malt, hops, yeast, and water.
Calculate the quantities of each ingredient needed.
Write out your recipe in a clear and concise format.

Attend a homebrewing workshop

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Attending a homebrewing workshop will give you hands-on experience and allow you to learn from experienced brewers.

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Search for homebrewing workshops in your area.
Register for a workshop that suits your interests and experience level.
Attend the workshop and participate actively.

Home Brewing Experiment

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Develop hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the brewing process by experimenting with small-scale home brewing.

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Gather necessary equipment and ingredients.
Study different brewing techniques and recipes.
Brew a small batch of beer following a recipe.
Monitor the fermentation process and make adjustments as needed.
Taste and evaluate the final product.

Contribute to an open-source beer brewing project

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Contributing to an open-source beer brewing project will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills to a real-world project.

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Find an open-source beer brewing project on GitHub or other platforms.
Review the project's documentation and code.
Identify an area where you can contribute.
Make a pull request with your contribution.

Write a blog post or article about your beer brewing experience

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Writing a blog post or article about your beer brewing experience will help you reflect on what you have learned and share your knowledge with others.

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Choose a topic for your blog post or article.
Write a draft of your post or article.
Edit and proofread your post or article.
Publish your post or article on a blog or website.

Career center

Learners who complete Beer: the science of brewing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Brewmaster

Brewmasters oversee all aspects of beer production, from the selection of ingredients to the packaging and distribution of the finished product. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the science of brewing, from the malting process to fermentation and packaging. With its focus on the biochemical reactions that occur during each step of brewing, this course can help aspiring brewmasters develop a deep understanding of the craft and the factors that affect the taste and quality of beer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Brewmaster

Brewery Manager

Brewery managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a brewery, including production, quality control, and sales. This course provides a solid foundation in the science of brewing, which can help brewery managers make informed decisions about production processes and ensure the quality of their products. The course also covers topics such as water treatment, sanitation, and packaging, which are essential for the efficient and safe operation of a brewery.

See salaries and explore the career path for Brewery Manager

Quality Control Manager

Quality control managers are responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of food and beverage products. In the brewing industry, quality control managers oversee the testing of raw materials, in-process products, and finished products to ensure that they meet specifications and regulatory standards. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the science of brewing, including the biochemical reactions that occur during fermentation and the factors that affect beer quality and stability. This knowledge can help quality control managers develop and implement effective quality control programs for breweries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Manager

Food Scientist

Food scientists apply the principles of science to develop, improve, and evaluate food products. In the brewing industry, food scientists may work in research and development, quality control, or product development. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, including the biochemical reactions that occur during fermentation and the factors that affect beer quality and stability. This knowledge can help food scientists develop new and innovative beer products and improve the quality of existing products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Scientist

Sensory Scientist

Sensory scientists evaluate the sensory properties of food and beverage products, such as appearance, flavor, texture, and aroma. In the brewing industry, sensory scientists may work in research and development, quality control, or product development. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, including the factors that affect beer taste and aroma. This knowledge can help sensory scientists develop and implement effective sensory evaluation programs for breweries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sensory Scientist

Chemist

Chemists analyze the chemical composition of materials and develop new products and processes. In the brewing industry, chemists may work in research and development, quality control, or product development. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, including the biochemical reactions that occur during fermentation and the factors that affect beer quality and stability. This knowledge can help chemists develop new and innovative beer products and improve the quality of existing products.

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Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In the brewing industry, microbiologists may work in research and development, quality control, or product development. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, including the role of microorganisms in fermentation and the factors that affect beer quality and stability. This knowledge can help microbiologists develop new and innovative beer products and improve the quality of existing products.

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Biochemist

Biochemists study the chemical processes that occur in living organisms. In the brewing industry, biochemists may work in research and development, quality control, or product development. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, including the biochemical reactions that occur during fermentation and the factors that affect beer quality and stability. This knowledge can help biochemists develop new and innovative beer products and improve the quality of existing products.

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Food Engineer

Food engineers design and develop food processing equipment and processes. In the brewing industry, food engineers may work in research and development, quality control, or product development. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, including the engineering principles that are used in the brewing process. This knowledge can help food engineers design and develop new and innovative brewing equipment and processes.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products and services. In the brewing industry, marketing managers may develop campaigns to promote new beers, increase brand awareness, or drive sales. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, which can help marketing managers understand the products they are promoting and effectively communicate the benefits of their products to consumers.

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Sales Representative

Sales representatives sell products and services to businesses and consumers. In the brewing industry, sales representatives may sell beer to bars, restaurants, and other businesses. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, which can help sales representatives understand the products they are selling and effectively communicate the benefits of their products to customers.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. In the brewing industry, entrepreneurs may start their own breweries or develop new beer products. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, which can help entrepreneurs understand the brewing process and develop new and innovative beer products.

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Beer Writer

Beer writers write about beer for magazines, newspapers, and websites. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, which can help beer writers understand the products they are writing about and effectively communicate the benefits of their products to readers.

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Bartender

Bartenders serve drinks to customers in bars and restaurants. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, which can help bartenders understand the beers they are serving and effectively communicate the benefits of their products to customers.

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Sommelier

Sommeliers are wine experts who make recommendations to customers in restaurants and wine shops. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of brewing, which can help sommeliers understand the beers they are recommending and effectively communicate the benefits of their products to customers.

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