Fermentation Degrees new thing - CSU considering it

2wlady wrote: So, instead of studying fermentation and becoming a master brewer the old fashioned way (I guess by taste testing and on the job training), many colleges/universities are offering or considering offering degrees in fermentation.

There's a great use of taxpayer dollars. Personally, I think a technical school degree with an internship and business courses would be better.

http://cw.ua.edu/2012/11/12/colleges-now-offer-major-in-fermentation/

One report:

“I’m a beer drinker, and I enjoy gourmet beer,” Kevin Shaughnessy, head of The University of Alabama chemistry department, said. “I’m sure that [the major] would be popular with students here from a career standpoint as well as from a general interest in the subject.”

Though Shaughnessy knew little of the major specifically, he said he’d had experience reading about brewing, had friends who brewed and was familiar on the generalities of the science.

There you go. Another reason for adding fermentation science, an entire program, to the curriculum: Friends who brew and popular with students from "a general interest in the subject."

I don't see this as any different than getting a viticulture & enology degree - it's a great way to make a living! And the only taxpayer dollars used are those taken on as student loans which have to be paid back, and grants won by professors for research which improve the yield and hardiness of the vines/hops plant species/etc thus contributing to our economy...what's the downside? Even in a bad economy, people will always find money for their alcohol, so it's a safe career to go into, IMO. (I've considered buying land in Oregon or Washington and planting a vineyard - those regions will become the new Napa Valley in 25-50 years).