In this program, aspiring and advancing craft beer professionals will form focused mentoring relationships with a group of skilled craft brewing professionals with diverse expertise and experience. Participants in the program will:
- Gain practical knowledge that is universally valuable in brewery environments
- Develop relationships
- Receive access to Brewers Association resources
- Gain exposure to the “community and culture” of the craft beer industry
Participants will complete a 12-week mentorship program. The program will begin with a one-week orientation, close with a one-week wrap-up session, and include 10 weeks of structured mentoring with a group of experienced industry leaders. The 10 week mentorship period is divided into five two-week rotations that will each be spent with a different mentor in specific areas of expertise.
More Information:
Mentorship Tracks
The Brewers Association mentorship program offers three different tracks to support aspiring and advancing craft beer professionals at multiple stages of career development.
Aspiring Professionals
The Aspiring Professionals track is for those who are new to the craft beer community and have little to no work experience in the industry. This mentorship track pairs participants with experienced professionals that will provide a broad introduction to the craft brewing industry. Areas of mentorship will include:
- Craft Beer 1o1
- Serving and Tasting Beer
- Technical Brewing
- Guest Experience
- Careers in the Brewing Industry
Advancing Professionals
The Advancing Professionals track is for those who currently work in the industry and seek to advance, expand, or change their career trajectories. This mentorship track pairs participants with experienced professionals that will provide tailored mentorship in one of three areas of specialization.
Production
- Leadership
- Management (Production)
Choose 3 from:
- Technical Brewing
- Brewery Safety
- Quality
- Serving and Tasting Beer
Guest Expereince
- Leadership
- Management (FOH)
Choose 3 from:
- Serving and Tasting Beer
- Event Planning and Management
- Marketing and Branding
- Quality
Brewery Administration
- Leadership
- Management
Choose 3 from:
- Brewery Finance
- Human Resources
- Sales and Distribution
- Marketing and Branding
Brewery Start-up
The Brewery Start-up track is for those who aspire to start a brewery and have taken tangible steps toward doing so, and for breweries that have operated for less than one year. This mentorship track pairs participants with experienced professionals that will provide intensive start-up-focused mentorship in the following areas:
- Brewery Operations
- Business Plan Review
Chose 3 from:
- Leadership
- Human Resources
- Brewery Finance
- Sales and Distribution
- Marketing and Branding
Program Guidelines
Program eligibility:
- Must be at least 21 years of age with a government issued ID
- Access to internet and a computer
- Currently, the program is restricted to U.S. residents
Training and support:
- Participants will participate in a one-week orientation and training program.
- Participants will participate in periodic video conference calls with the program director and other participants to discuss experiences, challenges, successes, and to network.
- Participants will have the support of and access to the program director.
Time commitment
- 2-5 hours per week. (Time will vary depending on the type of contact/activity planned.)
Duration of commitment:
- 12 weeks
Timeline
| Spring Cohort | Fall Cohort |
|---|---|
| Applications Open: October 25, 2021 | Applications Open: TBD |
| Application Deadline: December 24, 2021 | Application Deadline: TBD |
| Program Start: March 14, 2022 | Program Start: September 12, 2022 |
| Program End: June 5, 2022 | Program End: December 4, 2022 |
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