Transforming Brewing Passion into Brewing Expertise

Greg Dedicke, a 20+ year United States Air Force veteran, is in the early stages of opening a brewery in Northwest Florida. Though this is a recent venture, it has long been his dream. As a homebrewer, he mimicked the beer styles he craved from his travels in Germany and England. 

“The precision and meticulous nature of brewing suited my personality and was an easy crossover from my aviation job in the military,” said Greg. “It was a source of therapy for me, and I just fell in love with the process and the final results.” 

Despite previous coursework in brewing technology and a few years of experience working for a commercial brewery, Greg sought a deeper understanding of the entire brewing process to help him launch his own brewery and applied to the online Master Brewers Certificate Program at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE). 

Balancing Education and Family 

For Greg, the online Master Brewers Certificate Program offered an opportunity that few other programs could provide--flexibility. “In my previous life, I was away from home a lot. Leaving my family and home for another extended period was not something that I was very interested in doing,” admitted Greg. “Although the online program was significantly longer, it afforded me the ability to continue my education without having to leave my family.” 

Greg was unsure as to what to expect from the online program, but his concerns were quickly addressed once he got started. “The material presented and the level of brewing knowledge gained far exceeded my expectations,” he said. “It was paced well, and the information flowed seamlessly.” 

Maximizing the Program’s Resources for Brewing Success 

Greg entered the online brewing program believing that he had a good base of brewing knowledge. “This program was humbling,” he admitted, adding that the time and effort he put in was very rewarding. “My goal was to gain as much knowledge and resources as possible and I more than achieved that.” 

Throughout his educational journey, Greg capitalized on the assets the program offered by tapping into the expertise of the program faculty. “The UC Davis Master Brewers Certificate Program has some of the greatest minds in brewing teaching the future brewers of the world,” he said. “The instructors equipped each student with the knowledge and skills that will ensure that the UC Davis name will be associated with quality beer production.”

What mattered most to Greg was harnessing the wealth of this experience and applying it. “I don’t just know how to brew,” he said. “I now have a deep understanding of every stage of the brewing process and will be able to carry that knowledge into any future operation.” 

As part of the online program, the optional in-person bootcamp at the August A Busch III Brewing and Food Science Laboratory on the UC Davis campus was an opportunity Greg couldn’t pass up. “The knowledge I gained in the lab and from the brewhouse instructors was incredible,” he said. “Being able to apply all that we had learned, using equipment we had never used before and getting to meet everyone in person was worth the added time and expense.” 

Greg has been actively applying what he learned in the program to the early planning of his brewery. “The most helpful course has been the Brewery Engineering course,” he said. “That course has given me the knowledge to discuss utility requirements with the contractor and architect and has made equipment requirement discussions with suppliers a breeze.” 

A Recommendation for Aspiring Brewers 

Now that Greg has completed the program, he encourages other brewers to do the same. “Anyone who has a passion for brewing should take the online Master Brewers Certificate Program. It is a great option for those who are unable to uproot their lives to obtain a quality brewing education,” he said. “UC Davis has made it possible for that brewing education to be obtainable by anyone around the world and has added a level of knowledge and credibility that will set me apart from most who are entering the brewing industry.” 

As a veteran who used his VA benefits for the program, Greg said it’s especially convenient for veterans who have at least seven months available on their GI Bill. “It was very easy to use my VA benefits. Suzette Odom (VA Education Benefits Coordinator) is very responsive and a great help.” His one bit of caution to veterans is that while the VA does pay for classes and required textbooks, they do not provide a living stipend for this program. 

Greg’s plans to open and operate his own brewery are moving along. “Ultimately, I just want to make good beer.”