Sacred Heart University has established a distillation science certificate program, the first of its kind in Connecticut.
According to the Fairfield-based school, the 23-credit program is designed to prepare students to enter the distillation industry or to expand their skills. Coursework focuses on the distillation processes, beverage evaluation and operations. The program includes an internship with an industry partner and students can complete the program in three semesters.
Coursework is a combination of online and in-person classes, which take place evenings and weekends to accommodate working professionals’ schedules. In-person classes take place at in the school’s teaching lab at Two Roads Brewing Company’s experimental brewing facility in Stratford.
“Craft distilleries are experiencing growth in both sales volume and the number of locations each year,” said Mark Beekey, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “This certificate program has been designed to offer existing craft breweries hands-on training, enabling them to diversify into craft spirits if they choose. Additionally, it gives entrepreneurs who are interested in craft distillation an opportunity to gain knowledge if they are considering establishing a start-up distillery.”
