Brewing and Beverage Production

Overview

Are you looking to turn your passion for making beer, cider or other beverages into a career? Whether you’re a home brewer or are new to brewing and beverage production, this program provides you with the skills and knowledge to find a rewarding career in the ever-expanding beverage industries across Nova Scotia and beyond. 

In the Brewing and Beverage Production program, you learn to expertly craft a range of beverages (e.g., beer, cider, ready-to-drink cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages), including:

• Selecting the right ingredients, methods and equipment 
• Developing and adjusting original beverage recipes
• Packaging beverages to maintain quality (e.g., cans or kegs)
• Assessing the quality and consistency of beverage production using lab equipment, analytical techniques and evaluation of taste, aroma and physical characteristics
• Safely operating and performing routine care to beverage production equipment
• Gaining basic skills and knowledge related to beverage operations

Work experience

• Field experience is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside the classroom.
  • Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
• Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work experience courses are your responsibility.
• For more information visit work experience opportunities

Study options

• The Winter 2026 offering will be delivered in a compressed schedule over a 17-month period.

Choose NSCC

• This is the only Brewing and Beverage Production program of its kind in Atlantic Canada.
• This program was developed with industry – for industry, ensuring your skills are current and relevant.
• Learn from experienced, enthusiastic instructors who support your success.
• The laboratory and analysis skills you gain through this program are transferable to other areas of the food and beverage industry.

Other info

• Punctuality and attention to cleanliness are absolute necessities.
• This program is a great option for those with a science or engineering background looking to transfer their skills to a new career.

January 2026

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Sydney Waterfront Campus/Online Sydney	Full time	Blended Delivered through a combination of online and in-person classes. At least 50% of learning is in-person.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• Must be at least 19 years of age by the time this program begins.
• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent, including Academic Grade 11 Biology or Academic Grade 11 Chemistry.
  • International students – High school diploma equivalency and English language requirements vary by country. View document and language requirements by country
• If you do not have the required academic credits, NSCC offers a variety of credit courses through the Academic and Career Connections program.

Program requirements

• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.  

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2023-24 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition, fees and program costs

Tuition amounts are for the 2024-25 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

• Brewing and Beverage Production

Career options

• You graduate trained to work as a technical lead in the growing beverage sector, including breweries, cideries, microbreweries, brewpubs, distilleries, meaderies or businesses making non-alcoholic beverages. You can apply these skills in a wide variety of employment opportunities such as:
  • Brewer
  • Cider maker
  • Quality technician
  • Packaging technician
  • Production technician
  • Cellar person
  • Product developer
• As this sector is suitable for small start-ups, graduates of the Brewing and Beverage Production program may also seek to start their own beverage business.
• Learn more about labour market information – visit career options.