Inspired by the growing popularity of craft beverage businesses in Western Maryland, the Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts has launched a special Brewing Operations Certification Program to equip students with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to succeed in the evolving handcrafted beverage industry.
Debra Swope, a longtime faculty member for ACM’s hospitality, baking, and nutrition programs, became Program Director for the Brewing Operations Certification Program in 2022. Leveraging her culinary expertise and educational background, Swope helped shape the program and continues to engage students to take advantage of the offering.
“Craft brewing has become really popular,” shared Swope. “Within the past five years, we’ve started incorporating more craft brewing pairings in our student-run restaurant, Culinaire Café. The students and public have shown a real interest in brewing.”
“Many people interested in this field are enthusiasts, many of whom have full-time careers or majors,” shares Swope. “To make the certification more accessible, we designed the program to be attainable to full-time students and workers, hobbyists, future entrepreneurs, and those looking to change careers.”
The year-long program consists of eleven evening classes on topics ranging from brewing methods, history, sustainability, and sensory evaluation (tasting) to microbiology, social media marketing, and food service sanitation.
At the end of the program, students earn certifications in brewing operations, food service sanitation, and beverage management. These additional certifications, integrated into the curriculum, are highly valued in restaurants, enabling students to explore opportunities beyond craft beverages and secure employment in Allegany County's developing restaurant and hospitality sector.
ACM partners with Whitehorse Brewing, Locust Post Brewery, 1812 Brewery, and other local breweries to connect aspiring brewers with seasoned professionals for a one-hundred-hour internship. Students gain hands-on experience cleaning equipment, brewing beers, and working in a brewery environment while building valuable connections within the close-knit craft beverage community.
“Craft brewing has become really popular. The students and public have shown a real interest in brewing.” - Debra Swope, Program Director for the Brewing Operations Certification Program
“The breweries we’ve partnered with have been so supportive of our students and this mission,” said Swope. “Our goal is to create a network between ACM, students, and businesses so that we can help their breweries succeed and students find meaningful employment. Whether that means that students continue working in the brewery after they complete the program or take the knowledge and start their own venture, we want to keep the conversation going and support this growing industry."
In 2021, the school welcomed its first cohort of ten students, all from Allegany County. Three students have successfully gained their certification and have already secured positions in breweries, a testament to the program's success in preparing students for the industry.
Program graduates and Whitehorse Brewing interns Raine Baker and John McMillen are optimistic about the program’s outcomes. “My time in the Brewing Operations Certification Program at Allegany College of Maryland has been incredible,” shares Baker. “The hands-on experience, the dedication from the teachers, and the opportunity to collaborate with local brewers and breweries have been invaluable.”
McMillen adds, “Looking ahead, we are excited about the prospect of opening our own brewery in the future.”
“Our goal is to create a network between ACM, students, and businesses so that we can help their breweries succeed and students find meaningful employment…we want to keep the conversation going and support this growing industry.” - Debra Swope, Program Director for the Brewing Certification
Jessica Sainz, Tourism Marketing and Sales Manager for Allegany County Economic and Community Development, said, “Allegany County is home to four award-winning breweries—1812 Brewery, Locust Post Brewery, Dig Deep Brewery, and Route 40 Brewing and Distilling—all of which have a valuable impact on tourism. We know travelers love brews and spirits, and feeding into this industry is important in ensuring its success and the continued attraction of visitors. Whether people are traveling specifically for the beer experience or enjoying it as part of their day's adventure, breweries are a great way to showcase the region's unique flavors.”
The certification’s second cohort will begin in the fall of 2024. Swope elaborates, “We’re actively recruiting for the next cohort. It is still a new program, so we aim to get the word out and make people aware of this opportunity.”
“We know travelers love brews and spirits, and feeding into this industry is important in ensuring its success and the continued attraction of visitors.” - Jessica Sainz, Tourism Marketing and Sales Manager for Allegany County Economic and Community Development
One way that ACM is spreading the word on the certification is by hosting the inaugural Home Brewing Competition at the Western Maryland Craft Beverage Festival. The popular festival and tasting event draws crowds across Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. By hosting the brewing competition, ACM hopes to promote the certification program and generate excitement for local and home breweries in the region.
The competition invites home brewers to submit a beer of their own creation for a blind tasting by six judges. To keep the contest high-quality, it is limited to ten applicants chosen on a “first come, first served” basis. The first-place winner will have their beer brewed by Locust Post Brewery and receive a scholarship to ACM that can be applied to the Brewing Operations Certification. One former ACM student is set to compete in the 2024 contest.
“The restaurants in Downtown Cumberland and the rest of Allegany County are transforming. We see our program helping to bring in more tourists to experience local beers and food. We have high hopes for the program's future,” finishes Swope.
Click here to learn more about the Brewing Operations Certification Program.
Read our blog for other workforce development stories throughout Allegany County.
