Distillery Operations, A.A.S.

Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program

Degree/Certificate:    Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code:            5010
SUNY Code:             TBD
Major Code:             DIST

The Career

The Associate in Applied Science Distillery Operations program is designed for students who plan to undertake a career in the marketing, planning, and production of distilled spirits and the distilled spirits industry.

The NCCC Approach 

The Distillery Operations program has been designed to give students hands-on preparation and knowledge necessary to be successful in the field of distillation. The courses will prepare graduates with skills relating to distilled spirit quality, as well as distillation.  Students will learn to successfully manage a distillery.

Admission 

Students are admitted in fall and spring. The Distillery Operations, A.A.S., program is offered as a full-time or part-time day program or part-time evening program. Because of the sequencing of courses, students may take more than four semesters to complete the full-time day program or eight semesters to complete the part-time evening program if they are admitted in the spring semester.

Program Goals

• Distillery Operations program is designed for students who plan to undertake a career in the marketing, planning, and production of distilled spirits and the distilled spirits industry
• Prepare graduates with skills relating to distilled spirit quality, as well as distillation
• Students will learn to successfully manage a distillery

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students will be able to:

• Express an understanding of the motivating factors and strategies that drive the implementation of effective sanitation programs in the brewing and distilling industries
• Identify and describe the purpose and/or contribution of the primary ingredients employed in the production of craft spirits
• Demonstrate / express an understanding of the history of the spirit distillation industry in North America
• Demonstrate an understanding of methods for planning, procurement, handling, storage and control of ingredients and other materials in a craft distillery environment
• Express and demonstrate an understanding of basic water chemistry as it applies to the production of craft spirits, including safe, appropriate, and effective techniques for sampling, testing and adjustment of mash and proofing water chemistry
• Demonstrate an understanding of the sensory evaluation process and the role it plays in the production of quality craft spirits, including safe, appropriate, and effective techniques for sampling and judging craft spirits and the raw materials employed in their development
• Demonstrate a working familiarity with the complete cycle of processes and procedures employed in the production of craft spirits
• Express and demonstrate an understanding of the craft distillery market and its sales
• Recognize and describe the purpose and expected outcome of the various processes and procedures employed in the production of craft spirits in an industrial distillation facility setting