Kaylyn Kirkpatrick is the Technical Brewing Projects Coordinator for the Brewers Association (BA). Before starting at the BA, Kaylyn managed the Cornell University Brewing Extension program, which provides analytical lab services, educational content, and brewing resources to the craft beer community in New York State. Kaylyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Colorado State University and a Master’s degree in food science from Oregon State University, where she studied in the Brewing Science Lab. She has a brewing and distilling diploma from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling in London and previously worked as a beer chemist at New Belgium Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Overview and Courses
Course list
It is often said that malt is the soul of beer, and it plays an important role as the source of nutrients and sugars that carry forward into fermentation and your finished product. Selecting the right malt and managing the malt quality are key to a good finished beer. In this course, you will explore different malts and their impact on the wort. You'll then read and interpret malt Certificates of Analysis so that you can choose and purchase the correct malt for each recipe you create. By the end of this course, you'll be better prepared to select the ideal malts to optimize your beer recipe.
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View Course Details- Jun 24, 2026
- Aug 19, 2026
- Oct 14, 2026
- Dec 9, 2026
Hops are a key ingredient that impacts finished beer aroma and flavor, and it's crucial to be able to differentiate among hop varieties. In this course, you will analyze different hop varieties and the unique chemistry they bring to your beer. You will work through calculations to reach the desired level of bitterness and aroma, and explore how different brewery processes can impact a finished beer. By the end of this course, you will be able to use hops to get closer to your desired aroma and flavor.
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View Course Details- Jul 8, 2026
- Sep 2, 2026
- Oct 28, 2026
- Dec 23, 2026
For consistent excellence in your final beer, you need to successfully manage yeast and microorganisms during fermentation. In this course, you will consider the role of yeast in your beer recipe and how to manage fermentation to produce your desired flavor profile. You'll identify the conditions needed to manage yeast for healthy production and practice evaluating yeast health ahead of fermentation. Finally, you will fine-tune yeast pitching rates and develop the skills to troubleshoot yeast-related issues revealed during fermentation. With this experience, you'll be better positioned to manage the health and vitality of your yeast and to achieve your final beer flavor goals.
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View Course Details- Jul 22, 2026
- Sep 16, 2026
- Nov 11, 2026
Water in beer production has a role in both the flavor of the finished beer and the efficiency of production. The use of water in brewing necessitates practices centered around sustainability. This course focuses on water as an ingredient and how to evaluate its chemical makeup in order to create the water profile that's best for your recipe. In this course, you'll recognize sustainable water sources, what they offer and why they matter, and evaluate your water supply for use as brew water. You will match brew water profiles to beer styles and flavors, then adjust the water composition to meet your recipe requirements.
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View Course Details- Jun 10, 2026
- Aug 5, 2026
- Sep 30, 2026
- Nov 25, 2026
It is time to get your recipe ready for production! In this course, you will explore how production choices influence your beer recipe and outcomes. You'll examine the impact of ingredient interplay during the brewing process, including process aids and nontraditional sources of flavor. The focus is on the chemical processes and reactions that may be harnessed to promote and retain the target characteristics of your beer. Upon completing this course, you'll be ready to refine the production process to manifest your recipe goals.
You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:
- Malt Evaluation
- Hops Flavor Chemistry
- Yeast and Fermentation
- Water Profiles
View Course Start Dates Hide Course Start Dates
View Course Details- Jun 24, 2026
- Aug 19, 2026
- Oct 14, 2026
- Dec 9, 2026
How It Works
Format
All Online
Time Commitment
3 months with 3 to 5 hours of study per week
Learn From Top Minds
Courses are developed by Cornell faculty.
Power Your Career
Gain today’s most in-demand skills to stand apart.
Flexibility Fits Your Life
Learn on your schedule without stepping out of your job.
Small-class Experience
Participate in facilitated discussions and live sessions with industry peers.
Real-world Projects
Apply learnings and insights to your work to make an impact right away.
Personalized Feedback
Enjoy meaningful feedback on assignments from expert facilitators.
Format
All Online
Time Commitment
3 months with 3 to 5 hours of study per week
Learn From Top Minds
Courses are developed by Cornell faculty.
Power Your Career
Gain today’s most in-demand skills to stand apart.
Flexibility Fits Your Life
Learn on your schedule without stepping out of your job.
Small-class Experience
Participate in facilitated discussions and live sessions with industry peers.
Real-world Projects
Apply learnings and insights to your work to make an impact right away.
Personalized Feedback
Enjoy meaningful feedback on assignments from expert facilitators.
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Faculty Author
Kaylyn Kirkpatrick
Visiting Lecturer
Cornell University
Visiting Lecturer, Cornell University
Key Course Takeaways
- Investigate the characteristics of different malts to determine which is best for your recipe and beer style
- Explore the properties of hops and determine their impact on beer aroma and flavor
- Analyze the yeasts and microorganisms used in beer fermentation to achieve the desired flavor profile
- Evaluate water and its chemical makeup to create the appropriate water profile for your recipe
- Examine the nuances of ingredient interplay during the brewing process to refine the production of your recipe

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What You'll Earn
- Craft Brewing Certificate from Cornell CALS
- 50 Professional Development Hours (5 CEUs)
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Who Should Enroll
- Homebrewers and hobbyists
- Brewery startups
- Equipment vendors
- Malt suppliers
- Homebrew retailers
- Brewery apprentices and career starters
- Brewery employees looking to expand their knowledge
Explore Related Programs
“I love making beer. This course really took my understanding of the process to another level.”
Jamie M.
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Purchase Options
1599

Craft Brewing
| Select Payment Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| $1,599 | |
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