Brewing Science

A Hands-On Summer Course for the Local Community

Join us at F&M and learn the science and art of crafting living beer from the four fundamental ingredients of all great beers: water, malted grain, hops, and yeast.

Elevate Your Homebrew. Master Your Craft.

We’re thrilled to invite F&M alumni, friends, and neighbors to campus for Brewing Science, an immersive class that explores the science behind the perfect pour.

During this hands-on course, you will:

We'll share future registration details as soon as they're available.   

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course open to alumni and the public?

Yes! We invite alumni and community members to learn side-by-side with F&M students. Whether you are currently enrolled at the college or a local resident interested in brewing science, we encourage you to register.

We'll share future registration details as soon as they're available.

When and where is the course?

Our first Brewing Science course took place July 6 – August 4, 2026. Classes were held Monday - Friday from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. Hands-on labs were on Thursdays and Fridays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Classes and labs were located in the Fair Trade Cafe in F&M’s Center for the Sustainable Environment.

How much does the course cost?

Course tuition was $2,900. Tuition was due June 22, 2026. If you registered for a summer session course after this date, your tuition payment was due within two weeks of your registration.

Do I have to be over 21 to register?

No; participants under the age of 21 are welcome to register and will brew non-alcoholic beer.

How do I register?

We'll share future registration details as soon as they're available.

Will I earn college course credit toward my degree?

F&M summer courses count for credit toward an F&M degree. If you are pursuing a degree at another college, transferring credits will be at the discretion of the institution you attend. One F&M credit is equal to four semester hours.

“It's not just science, it's also art.”

Franklin & Marshall College Professor of Biology Rob Jinks concocted the first course of its kind this summer: Brewing Science. “It's not just science, it's also art. There are a lot of social, economic, and government regulation aspects to it,” said Jinks, who has been homebrewing for about 20 years.

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