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Combine Theory and Practice during this 4 week study abroad program based in Virginia, USA. This program covers classroom instruction on History of Craft Beer, US Food Laws and Regulation, Sensory Science, Barley Breeding, HACCP and more. This theoretical background is supported by hand-on-experience at local craft breweries of all scales.
You will earn 6 credits taking classes taught in English from the faculty at the world-renowned Virginia Tech Department of Food Science and Technology. Besides the academical and practical aspect, you will have plenty time and opportunities to experience American College Campus life and explore the scenic Appalachian region.
Introduction
Introduction
The cultivation of grain, harvesting, malting and brewing processes to the finished beer and its distribution. For brewers in Germany, these are all familiar terms and stages in beer production. Depending on whether you are currently in training, have just completed your training or have years of professional experience, the understanding of these terms varies from person to person. But what is it like in other countries? How is beer being brewed there? And how is it sold in other countries?
In order to get to the bottom of these questions, an exchange program between Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (short: Virginia Tech) and Technische Universität München was established three years ago. This exchange is organized and carried out by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on the part of Virginia Tech and the School of Life Sciences on the TUM side. It gives students of Brewing and Beverage Technology the opportunity to apply for a four-week stay at Virginia Tech in order to gain a better understanding of American brewing and its upstream and downstream processes. The rapidly changing and very dynamic craft-beer market plays a major role in this program.
The exchange program includes various courses at the university, excursions to breweries of different sizes and a HACCP course. The lectures cover a variety of topics. These include the historical development of the Craft Beer movement in the U.S. with a focus on the beginnings of brewing and prohibition. American food laws and regulations, and learning about various American Craft Beer styles and their characteristics are also covered. In addition, topics related to raw material technology like barley breeding and the cultivation of hops are addressed. Another topic is the distribution of beer, which includes a trip to a beer wholesaler.
During excursions to local breweries the students have the opportunity for hands-on participation in brews with experts of the craft trade and to identify differences or parallels to German practices. The possibility to get an exclusive insight into craft beer giants like Sierra Nevada or New Belgium expands a German brewer's horizon significantly. All in all, the participants benefit greatly from this exchange in any perspective. This is especially true with regard to an international professional or university career.
Program Basics
Program Basics
You will be enrolled in a course at VT which equates to a 6 ECTS elective course at TUM, as a part of a bilateral exchange with Virginia Tech Polytechnical Institute (VT). This will be transferred to your TUM account, and will count towards your degree. The tentative dates for this course will be August 15 through September 9, 2022. Students graduating in May of 2021 are still eligible for this course.
Program is aimed at M.Sc. Brewing and Beverage Technology and Dipl. Brewmaster students. However, B.Sc. students are invited to join if spaces are available.
Prior to leaving, you will be asked to participate in pre-departure meetings as well as some preliminary knowledge and language/cultural introduction work.
The course will be taught over a 4-week period. There will be small written exams. The main assignment is an experience blog (see past blogs for reference: 2018 Blogs | 2019 Blogs ). It is your duty to keep it up to date and informative with videos and photos. The purpose of the blog is to cover your practical and theoretical experiences (lectures, excursions, trips). Weekends are free for student self-guided trips, or if desired we can plan as a group.
Schedule
Schedule
TUM Students will depart from their location of choosing shortly after the TUM summer semester exam period, typically Mid-August. The program runs four weeks, spanning August into September (Football Season!!!).
Important Deadlines (Travel Departing in May)
1. Application Due into Roman Werner’s Office and the school board, February 1
2. Notification of acceptance to Program: February 5th
3. Students organize their individual travel and lodging arrangements
Applying
This exchange program is open to M.Sc. and Dipl. Brewmaster students and is taught in English. Students may be selected based on their current average grade. Please contact the program leader for exceptions.
If interested, please contact Roman Werner (roman.werner@tum.de).
This exchange is limited to 8 students to maximize your hands-on experience and relationships with VT Faculty.
Sample Schedule from 2019 Exchange
Preparation & Lodging
Preparation & Lodging
The organization of the travel and lodging is completely up to the students. The school may give some help in finding possibilities and contacting to VT representatives.
The closest city to Blacksburg and Virginia Tech is Ronoake. This city also owns an airport that is accessible via different airline hubs in the eastern USA. From here, you need to book a transport to Blacksburg (e.g., via bus).
Concerning lodging our first two cohorts found a wonderful place in the “cozy cottage”. This is house owned by an VT Emeritus which can be booked for affordable conditions. However, you need to check if the cottage is free in the planned time. For further information you can contact Roman Werner or Günther Gassner. Other possibilities can be found via the VT or on the regular websites (e.g., Airbnb).
Please note: the TUM cannot fund any costs of this summer school concerning travel, lodging or personal expenses.
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