Science, Technology, and Culture of Craft Brewing: Belgium

 

Have you always wanted to understand the craft brew process while enjoying one of the most charming countries in Europe? This program is for you! 

If you are planning to take the Science, Technology, and Culture of Craft Brewing course (ENGR 1933), you can apply for the travel add-on course (ENGR 1920) to gain an additional credit. During the travel portion in Belgium, students will describe, analyze, and characterize the entire brewing process in a European context!  

The travel program will take place during Spring Break 2024 in Belgium. The program will travel to various location to explore the craft brew process; the proposed itinerary includes Leuven, Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels.  

*The semester-long course and this Spring Break, international add-on are both open to students from all majors. 

*Info session: Friday, September 22 at 4:00pm in 938 Benedum Hall. 

Accepted students will be required to attend a MANDATORY Agreement Meeting on Tuesday, November 14 at 4:00pm via Zoom. A link will be sent out with acceptance emails. 

Read about the experiences of previous students in their blogs!

 

To learn more about the experience, check out this video: 

 

What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant in this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • Evaluation of brewing options and equipment for commercially relevant operations
  • A way to relate brewing process variables to style characteristics
  • Ways to justify brewing choices based upon brewing science, engineering and economic considerations

Belgium is known for its many types of beer and longstanding practice of beer-making. While in Belgium the group will tentatively travel to the following cities: Leuven, Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels. The itinerary tentatively includes a visit to a Hops farm, a maltery, and visits to various large and small breweries.

 

Where You'll Live: 

Students will be staying in hotels for the duration of the program abroad. 

You can expect the following at the hotels:

  • Double or triple rooms with a shared bathroom
  • Heat and Air conditioning
  • Sheets, blankets, towels, and washcloths
  • Breakfast included each day
  • Wifi
What You'll Study: 

ENGR 1933 is the 3-credit course that can count for specific requirements for your degree program.

ENGR 1920 is the study abroad add-on portion of the program; it is a 1 credit addition.

Student MUST be enrolled in ENGR 1933 in order to apply to ENGR 1920. Students MUST be 21 years of age to participate in both the semester course and spring break program.  

You will be able to evaluate brewing options and equipment for commercially relevant operations, relate brewing process variables to style characteristics, and justify brewing choices based upon brewing science, engineering and economic considerations.

Engineering students can view how these courses will fulfill degree requirements here.

Other students: please check with your academic advisor for fulfillment of degree requirements.

Engineering a Craft Brew- Belgium (ENGR1920)

This is a 1 credit class that offers the opportunity to exam craft brewing in Europe. At the end of this course, students should be able to

  • use engineering principles to describe, analyze, characterize, and design the brewing process.
  • relate brewing process variables to style characteristics.
  • evaluate brewing options and equipment for commercially relevant operations.
  • justify brewing choices based upon brewing science, engineering, and economic considera-
  • tions.
Syllabus:

We have worked with a provider to create the program in-country. While in Belgium, you will be accompanied by faculty and staff from the University of Pittsburgh who will be your leaders and additional staff from our provider. 

Your In-Country Contacts: 

Dr. Robert Parker

Dr. Robert S. Parker is the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and a Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. In his more than 20 years of home and professional beer brewing he has developed an appreciation for hops of all types, Belgian yeasts, anything served from a nitrogen tap, and the science and culture of beers from around the world. When he's not pursuing his teaching passion in the area of his hobby, Bob uses systems tools to address challenging problems at the engineering/medicine interface. 

Mr. Robert Toplak

Mr. Toplak is the Director of Strategic Business and Finance Operations for the Swanson School of Engineering. He is an active home brewer and provides classroom support for ENGR 1933, Engineering a Craft Brewery, by co-designing and brewing beer of various styles for classroom sensory sessions and helping to instruct students during on-campus brewing demonstrations. Rob appreciates all beer styles but has an affinity for true Belgian or Belgian-style beers, particularly farmhouse ales.
 
 

Items Billed by Pitt

  In-State Out-of-State
Program Fee  (see  "What's included" section) $3150 $3350

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

Meals and Personal Expenses $500
If you are not a U.S. citizen there may be a cost associated with applying for a visa and/or traveling to a embassy or consulate varies
 Roundtrip Airfare varies

 

What's Included: 

As a part of the program costs, the following are included in the program:

  • 1 credit course
  • All ground transportation
  • All Accommodations
  • Health and accident insurance
  • All breakfasts, some lunch and dinners
  • Admission and participation to all events and excursions

Students are responsible for their own flight to/from Belgium, any meals not included in itinerary, and miscellaneous personal costs. 

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad.

**Note that Pitt Global Experience Office courses/programs such as this one, operate outside of normal tuition and fee schedules and cannot be combined nor included in full-term tuition pricing. 

 

 Questions about funding study abroad? 

Visit our budgeting page for more information. 

For global scholarship opportunities, check out:

  • the Pitt GEO scholarship page for links to national, provider and private scholarship samples
  • PittFund$Me  for Pitt sponsored funding including Pitt wide global scholarships, Nationality Rooms, VIH, etc.
  • PittFund$Me  for the SSOE Global Experience Scholarships!

 

What Else You Need to Know: 

Application requirements: 

  • Undergraduate and graduate students who are 21 years of age or older.
  • Open to all Pitt students, not just Swanson School.
  • Must have applied for a passport or already hold a passport by the application deadline. Need to apply? See instructions here.
  • Must be enrolled in Science, Technology, and Culture of Craft Brewing course (ENGR 1933) for SP 2023. 
  • 2.75 GPA​