John Lyda is a full-time faculty member at AB Tech and is the thumb that grasps the educational hammer in our Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation program. It’s the first two-year accredited degree in the country that gives students an Associate’s of Applied Science in Distillation and Fermentation. After working at The Highland Brewing Co. for over 20 years, John took his passion and applied it to teaching at the Craft Beverage Institute.

Today, John and I discuss the evolution of the Craft Beverage Institute and how he has been an essential part of directing the curriculum. We explore how interest from international students has added more products to the program and the exciting capstone projects our students have created. We share why a two-year degree is an advantage compared to going straight into the industry and give examples of how our students' careers have benefited. We also explain how the degree covers the business aspects of brewing and the networking opportunities people gain when completing the program.

This week on Consuming the Craft:

● How John has been instrumental in directing the program

● The surprising emergence of Hard Seltzer and its inclusion in the program

● How the CBI degree program is structured

● Why international interest has encouraged diversification of the program curriculum

● The capstone projects students complete

● Booze Clues: Negroni

● Why the CBI two-year degree is an advantage in the beverage industry

● How the training has benefited the careers of past students

● How the program helps put people on the entrepreneurial track

● The networking opportunities students gain when completing the program

This episode is brought to you by…

McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce.

Consuming the Craft

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Consuming the Craft Podcast, brought to you by AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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To learn more about AB Tech and the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast, visit our website.