Brewing By Degrees
Institute of Technology Carlow Launches Ireland’s First BSc. (Hons) in Brewing & Distilling
Irish whiskey has been distilled since the 6th century while brewing in Ireland goes back to the Bronze and early Iron ages; legend has it that St. Patrick even had his own brewer. However, no formal degree programmes have existed in the science of what some consider to be Ireland’s greatest gifts to the world. Until now.
Today Institute of Technology Carlow launched the country’s first Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree programme in Brewing & Distilling. The programme is the first of its kind on the island of Ireland and the result of two years of research and development by Institute of Technology Carlow that has included consultation with industry, representative organisations, national bodies and government.
Alongside the degree course, the Institute will offer several continuous professional development (CDP) programmes for employees. They include: Yeast Biology; Malting & Brewing Raw Materials; The Brewing Process; Distillation and Distilled Spirits Production and Post Distillation Downstream Processing.
The programme builds on a long tradition of degree programmes in biosciences at Institute of Technology Carlow. It will position Carlow as a centre in Ireland for teaching, learning, research and innovation in brewing and distilling and provide necessary support to the brewing and distilling industry which is undergoing a major renaissance yet experiencing a national skills deficit.
“As a university-level Institute, our purpose is to identify and provide opportunities for our 7,000 learners to gain the skills, knowledge and attributes required to fulfil their professional and personal goals, while simultaneously supporting and driving the development of a vibrant economy”, commented Dr Patricia Mulcahy President of Institute of Technology Carlow. “The new four-year BSc (Hons) in Brewing and Distilling is the latest manifestation of this. One of the most welcome aspects of this initiative has been the expert support that we have received from the sector across the region, nationally and internationally. My thanks particularly to Carlow Brewing Company, Walsh Whiskey, Waterford Distillery, Alltech, Heriot-Watt University, An Bord Bia, Teagasc, the Irish Whiskey Association and the Irish Brewers Association”.
The brewing and distilling sector is now one of Ireland’s fastest growing industries, exporting over 95% of its production. According to the Food Wise 2025 national plan, Ireland’s brewing and distilling industry will contribute towards the creation of an additional 23,000 food and drink based sectoral jobs by 2025, an 85% increase in food and drink exports to €19billion and a 65% increase in primary production value to €10billion. Whiskey exports are up 60% since 2009 with 60 million litres exported per annum. 28 distilleries are now operating or being developed on the island of Ireland and the number of microbreweries are expected to grow to 100 by 2025. Direct employment in distilling will grow 30% by 2025. A surge of interest in craft beer and micro distilleries, emerging markets in Asia and the explosion of the craft alcohol market in the United States are fuelling the sector.
Some of Ireland’s foremost food and drink experts attended and presented at the launch, including food writer and publisher John McKenna, Seamus O’Hara, founder of Carlow Brewing Company, Lisa Ryan from Waterford Distillery and Bernard Walsh, CEO of Walsh Whiskey.
Speaking at the launch, John McKenna commented, “Irish craft brewing and Irish craft distilling are the two most exciting and dynamic sectors in Ireland’s food and drink culture. In almost thirty years of writing about speciality food and drink in Ireland, I have never witnessed anything like the energy and creativity that we see today amongst the brewers and distillers. But, until now, the industry has lacked a recognised centre of excellence and academic research, and that is exactly what the B. Sc in Brewing and Distilling at the Institute of Technology Carlow will provide.”
“The B.Sc. answers the needs of the industry today, and will answer the needs of the industry in the future. And it sends a message to Speyside and to Hakushu and to Kentucky that a country that once enjoyed the drinks of scores of diverse distilleries and breweries is hungry to be amongst the world leaders in these fields”, added Mr. McKenna. “Personally, I only wish that the course had existed 40 years ago when I went to college”.
The first BSc. (Hons) Brewing and Distilling undergraduates will begin their four-year course next September via the CAO under the code CW108. The course includes industry work placement and access to brewing and distilling facilities. Graduates with a relevant Bachelor of Science Degree are eligible to apply for advanced entry onto the programme. Mature applicants will be assessed on an individual basis and may be interviewed.
“Our honours degree and associated professional development programmes have been developed in response to a clear sectoral need and will support both the ongoing renaissance in craft brewing and distilling in Ireland and the industry’s global ambitions”, commented Dr. David Ryan, Programme Director, B.Sc. (Hons) Brewing & Distilling. “This programme will also attract international learners and enhance existing agricultural science and industry-linked research opportunities in Carlow”.
“One of the biggest factors in meeting industry needs is higher education and training. I thank and congratulate all who have and will continue to contribute to the delivery of this excellent programme”, commented Dr. Patricia Mulcahy.
Degrees Brewing – Pictured at the launch of Institute of Technology Carlow’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree programme in Brewing & Distilling, from left: Mr. John Moore, Chairman of the Governing Body of IT Carlow; Dr. David Ryan, Programme Director, BSc. (Hons) Brewing & Distilling; Dr. Patricia Mulcahy, President, IT Carlow; Ms. Lisa Ryan, Head Brewer, Waterford Distillery; Seamus O’Hara, founder of Carlow Brewing Company and chairman of the Irish Brewers Association; Bernard Walsh, CEO of Walsh Whiskey and Chairman of the Irish Distillers Association and food writer and publisher John McKenna.
-ENDS-