From the legal issues facing the craft brewing industry to a tour of one of the largest-single site breweries in the world, the Beverage Business Institute in the Colorado State University College of Business offers industry professionals a chance to expand their knowledge.

The fourth cohort of BBI participants spent their most recent session at the Coors Brewery in Golden for a day full of workshops and presentations. Professionals from all over the country make up the BBI, including employees of American Eagle Distributing, Cogstone Brewing Company, Swire Coca-Cola, Heineken USA, Union Craft Brewing and more, who are working toward a Certificate in Beverage Business Management. Four in-person sessions make up this intense business program for beverage professionals.

Craft beer issues

After the tour of the brewery and a chance to meet Pete Coors, chairman of the board of MillerCoors, BBI participants heard from Keith Villa, Ph.D., head brewmaster and founder of Blue Moon Brewing Company. Villa talked about earning his Ph.D. in Belgium, the struggles and successes of launching Blue Moon, the dynamics of Tenth and Blake Beer Company, the craft import division of MillerCoors, and his own mentors along the way. Villa finished the session with a tasting of new beer styles of Blue Moon being launched.

John Carlson, J.D., executive director of the Colorado Brewers Guild, led the group through the legal and regulatory issues concerning the craft beer industry today. Carlson’s legal expertise and passion for beer has him involved at the local, state, and national levels of craft beer policy in the United States. He has facilitated with the BBI since its inception in 2011.

Registration for new participants in BBI opens in March. Beverage industry professionals may join the program and participate in the next session, May 6-8, and complete the 10-month cycle by February 2016.

About the BBI

The Beverage Business Institute delivers education, training, and research that focus on business operations, production, and distribution in all of the related beverage industries. The Certificate in Beverage Business Management offers a unique opportunity to study business practices specific to the many facets of working with beverage. With specialized curricula, industry facilitators, customized tours, and face-to-face networking, the BBI tailors to the needs and hectic lifestyles of professionals in the beer, distribution, soda, wine, spirits, coffee, and water industries, as well as entrepreneurs, consultants, and professionals whose work tangents these areas.

For more information about the Beverage Business Institute at Colorado State University, visit the website or call (970) 491-6265.