What are the minor requirements?
Brewing Innovation Courses
The structure of the BRIN Minor and how you can complete it
Brewing Innovation Minor
Courses
The minor was designed as an interdisciplinary minor to complement disciplinary majors in the sciences, humanities, communications, design and innovation. The core of the minor is built around four required courses. These courses cannot be taken independently as one-offs. In order to take these classes, you must apply and be admitted into the minor.
BRIN 221 – Tapping into the World of Beer (4cr)
BRIN 322: Advanced Brewing Laboratory (4cr)
BRIN 323: Brewing Innovation: Past, Present, and Future (4cr)
BRIN 424: Capstone: Interdisciplinary Beer Design Lab (4cr)
To complete the minor, you also need to complete two electives from a curated list. These electives can also count toward your major. If you have questions or concerns about electives, please discuss those with the BRIN advisor at BrewingInnovation@uoregon.edu.
Course Sequence
Spring 2026-2027 Cohort
Term | Spring 2026 | Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BRIN Course | 221 | 322 | 323 | 424 |
Day & Time of Class | M & W | T 3:30 - 5:20 PM | T 3:30 - 5:20 PM | T 3:30 - 5:20 PM |
Brew Day(s)* | Week 5 Friday** | Week 1 | Week 1 | Week 2 |
* Brew days begin between 8:00 and 10:00 AM and last approximately 5 hours. You will need to be available for the full session during your brew day.
** We will meet in BRIN 221 on Friday of Week 5.
Course Sequence
Spring 2027-2028 Cohort
Term | Spring 2027 | Fall 2027 | Winter 2028 | Spring 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BRIN Course | 221 | 322 | 323 | 424 |
Day & Time of Class | M & W | T 3:30 - 5:20 PM | T 3:30 - 5:20 PM | T 3:30 - 5:20 PM |
Brew Day(s)* | Week 5 Friday** | Week 1 | Week 1 | Week 2 |
* Brew days begin between 8:00 and 10:00 AM and last approximately 5 hours. You will need to be available for the full session during your brew day.
Course List and Electives
Description and prerequisites for each class
BRIN 221 – Tapping into the world of beer (4cr)
Prerequisites: Admission into BRIN Minor
Course Description: This course is a gateway to the Brewing Innovation minor, focusing on the science and art of the sensory experience in beer. The course connects the sensory experience to beer’s ingredients and their chemical composition, and ultimately to the finished beer’s appearance and presentation. In hands-on sessions, students will taste and learn to describe individual starting ingredients and how recipes and brewing techniques can be leveraged to create specific collections of chemicals that influence our senses. Students will learn how these selections ultimately lead to distinct attributes in different beer styles and will design and brew a style of choice from whole grains, hops, water and yeast.
BRIN 322: Advanced Brewing Laboratory (4cr)
Prerequisites: BRIN 221
Course Description: In this hands-on course, students will learn the practical aspects of producing fermented beverages with an emphasis on brewing beer. Students will learn about (i) selecting and handling raw ingredients, (ii) appropriate measurement and analytical techniques used throughout the brewing process, (iii) all the important steps in the brewing process – from malting grains to packaging finished beer, and (iv) record keeping. Students will also experiment with in-process monitoring techniques and explore methods for rapidly prototyping new methods and products.
BRIN 323: Brewing Innovation: Past, Present, and Future (4cr)
Prerequisites: BRIN 322
Course Description: Students examine how millennia of innovations in brewing have shaped the beers and brewing process throughout history and how these innovations have fueled broader advances in society. This historical perspective, coupled with an examination of the state-of-the-art, provides a foundation to learn about design thinking as an approach to future innovations in the craft. Students work in teams, exploring brewing techniques and re-creating beers of the past. They use design thinking and storytelling to develop and share their experiences.
BRIN 424: Capstone: Interdisciplinary Beer Design Lab (4cr)
Prerequisites: BRIN 323
Course Description: This course is a beer design challenge, serving as a capstone of the minor core series. Students work in interdisciplinary teams to design, brew and refine a beer that is rooted in the history of brewing innovation and is targeted to address a “customer” need. In addition to designing a beer, students will craft a story, label, and serving presentation in support of their innovation. Rapid prototyping and experimentation in the laboratory allow students to explore and optimize parameter space needed to achieve their design.
BRIN Electives
To complete the minor, you need to complete two electives from the curated list below. These electives can also count toward your major. If you have questions or concerns about electives, please discuss those with the BRIN advisor (BrewingInnovation@uoregon.edu).
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the Brewing Innovation minor.
Do I have to be over 21 to participate in the minor?
No. The state of Oregon allows students who are 18 years or older to participate, including tasting beers, in our courses. We expect all participants in the program to act responsibly and adhere to all course policies.
Do I need previous experience with beer or brewing?
No. Through the courses in the minor, we will help you develop your abilities to taste and evaluate beers and learn basic and advanced brewing techniques.
Who is eligible?
Any student who has completed at least one academic year at university and has a minimum of four academic terms remaining until degree completion. The course sequence runs from Spring of one year through Spring of the following academic year.
How does the selection process work?
There will be an application process each year.
How do I apply?
To indicate your interest in the minor, complete the general interest form, and attend an info session or contact the BRIN advisor at brewinginnovation@uoregon.edu.
What obligations will I have outside the scheduled class sessions?
The brewing process takes longer than can be accommodated in a two-hour class. Each course includes at least one brew session (three for BRIN 322) conducted on Fridays lasting about five hours. Students with conflicts must make arrangements to participate, as Brew Days are required. Dates and times are posted on the courses page. Additionally, open lab periods throughout the week allow students to prepare materials and monitor fermentations, scheduled to accommodate students’ availability.
Still Have Questions?
Our program advisors are here to help. Contact us to learn more about the Brewing Innovation minor: brewinginnovation@uoregon.edu
Ready to Start Innovating?
Explore the Brewing Innovation Minor course sequence, learn more about the program by reading through our frequently asked questions and apply for the next cohort.