How a Master Brewers Certificate Transformed Alan Windhausen’s Career in Brewing

“The Master Brewers Certificate Program accelerated my early career and positioned me for better future opportunities,” said Alan Windhausen who completed the program in 2015 and has since held numerous roles in the brewing industry, including lead brewer at Pikes Peak Brewing Company, head brewer at Holidaily Brewing Company and currently as a brewing educator. 

After earning a BS in chemistry, Alan immediately applied to the Master Brewers Certificate Program at UC Davis. “I was always planning on applying my science background to brewing,” he said. Finding himself up against a six-year waitlist for the certificate program, he decided to take on one adventure after another until his name was called. Alan worked a variety of jobs, traveled to Spain (where he met his future wife) and went to Alaska to get a teaching degree and work in rural villages, yet his commitment to the brewing industry never wavered. 

Nearly a decade since completing the brewing certificate, Alan is still involved in the brewing industry. We spoke with him to learn more about his career journey and how his brewing education at UC Davis has benefited him along the way. 

What motivated you to pursue a brewing education and why did you choose UC Davis’ program? 

My entry to brewing was through the sciences. In undergrad, I focused on biochemistry, which is the foundation of most flavors and aromas in beer. Having that foundation but little practical experience outside of some homebrews with friends, I knew that I would either need to spend additional time working my way up through a brewery and self-teaching myself on the side, or I could attend a brewing program and learn from the experts, entering the field at a higher level with a proper education. This was also evident (and still is) on most job postings in the industry, where “formal brewing education” is commonly listed as a differentiating factor for candidates. The UC Davis program was best aligned with my focus on the scientific side of brewing. 

What did you do after completing the program and how did the Master Brewers Program help you take that next step? 

I received verbal job offers around California while still at Davis, based on the strength of the program's reputation and the connections it afforded me. However, immediately after completing the course I began applying to breweries in Colorado, where my then fiancée and I were living. Within two weeks of arriving back home, I had been on more than five interviews and received two written job offers thanks to my recent Master Brewers Certificate Program completion! 

Having the certificate allowed me to apply for brewer positions immediately, and six months later I was promoted to lead brewer at Pikes Peak Brewery. Through the networking and education of the program, I also began working for the Brewers Association as a quality trainer and sitting on state guild and national committees a couple years later. 

You’ve held various roles in the industry (brewer, brewing educator/instructor, speaker/presenter). What’s rewarding about these different roles and how do they compare to each other? 

I've been very fortunate to be able to wear multiple hats throughout my career (often at the same time thanks to employers who see the value in continued growth in their brewers). Applying what others at Davis and in the industry have shared with me in a practical application (creating high-quality beer, crafting new products and sharing these with consumers and colleagues) is intrinsically fulfilling. 

However, I have greatly enjoyed passing along what I have learned in-house as a trainer and later as a speaker and educator. Tying my passion for brewing with my degree in science education in these roles has been particularly rewarding and allows me to continue learning as students and peers bring their own insights to my classes and presentations. A common refrain in craft is that “a rising tide floats all boats,” and contributing to the education of others is the best way I've been able to aid in that process! 

Did your experience in the Master Brewers Program inform how you teach other brewers? 

The model of the Master Brewers Certificate Program during my time was very lecture and reading focused, with Professors Lewis and Bamforth leading seminar-style from the front of the class for the majority of the time. That is a far cry from the online, asynchronous courses I've been leading, but I do have dozens of quotes that I have passed along! 

More directly informative to my teaching has been the structure of the program, specifically building a holistic view of beer and brewing. Many people I work with who are just starting tend to concern themselves with individual styles and techniques, whereas my time at Davis taught me what beer is at a deeper level and where the compounds that create flavors and characteristics (such as foam and body) are derived. This ability to have a birds-eye view of the overall process and then dive into specific variables to control towards an end goal creates a more capable brewer, and thus a higher quality product. 

Since transitioning to fatherhood and taking a hiatus from working in a brewery, how have you kept your brewing skills and knowledge current and remained involved in the brewing community? 

Primarily through my work with students, where I facilitate courses, from raw materials and water chemistry through production and refinement. This job requires me to be abreast of brewing innovations and news, so that I can both answer students' questions and offer updates to the material as needed. 

Separately, my work with the BA's Quality Subcommittee and the Colorado Brewer's Guilds Technical and Education Committees has allowed me to maintain not only my relationships and involvement in the industry, but also provided another outlet for knowledge and skill development. Professional groups in brewing are committed to increasing both beer quality and learning opportunities for brewers, and a great resource for anyone who wants to grow individually and in the community! 

What’s next on the horizon for you? 

Currently I am set to give more presentations and guest lectures (including my first conference internationally) along with teaching my ongoing courses. Beyond that, I'm not 100% sure where I'll land, and am enjoying the extra time I get to spend with my girls while they are still little! 

What advice do you have for brewers out there who are just getting started? 

Continue seeking out new learning opportunities, try to be flexible and ask questions. Everyone has their own expertise you can learn from. There is not one path you need to take to be successful in brewing and having a curious nature will open more avenues for growth! With the current shifts in consumer preferences and resultant turmoil in craft brewing, this mindset is increasingly valuable.