By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing
Veterans have shown a keen interest in the brewing arts for years, with many opening their own breweries or becoming head brewers at establishments in Tampa Bay and across Florida. Now for the first time, eligible students may be able to use VA education benefits, including the GI Bill®, to enroll in USF’s Brewing Arts certificate program.
The 6-month online program provides students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in craft brewing. Classes are taught by those in the business as well as chemists and microbiologists, covering the science of brewing to the business of craft beer.
Students intern at local breweries to gain real-world experience in professional environments.
“This opens the door for more veterans to gain valuable, hands-on brewing industry skills that can support skill development and career readiness,” said Joe Askren, director of the program. “Brewing is a demanding industry where you deal with hot temperatures, extreme pressures and heavy equipment. It is also very goal driven and task oriented, requiring discipline and a strong work ethic. This is why so many veterans have gone into this field.”
As Askren was going through the GI Bill® application process for the program, he surveyed hundreds of breweries in the state to find out about the connection between the brewing industry and veterans. Responses showed that nearly 75% of breweries in the state employed at least one veteran. Jobs ranged from owner and head brewer to sales rep and packaging technician.
That same survey also highlighted the success of USF’s Brewing Arts program in placing graduates in the profession. Nearly 45% of breweries in the state who responded to the survey have a Brewing Arts alum, with around 15 breweries in the Tampa Bay region owned or led-by a program graduate.
“Since we launched, there has been so much interest by veterans in our program, but cost was always a barrier,” Askren said. “By expanding access, it further shows to the veteran community that we are here to provide educational opportunities that train students for careers in this industry.”
Since 1944, the GI Bill® has helped veterans and their family members get support to cover the costs for school or job training. USF is a GI Bill® -approved school and is home to nearly 1,400 student veterans, one of the largest populations for a state university in Florida.
“At USF, we are committed to helping military-connected students achieve their educational and professional goals," said Renee Amboy, Director of the OneUSF Office of Veteran Success. "The approval of VA education benefits for the Brewing Arts certificate program expands opportunities for eligible students to pursue specialized training in an area of interest while leveraging benefits they have earned through military service. Providing access to diverse academic and workforce-focused programs is one of the many ways USF supports student success and lifelong learning."
The Brewing Arts program is designed for those who wish to work in a brewery or aspire to open a brewery one day to hobbyists looking to learn more about the art of brewery. Through coursework and hands-on training, students learn about recipe development, quality control and packaging, entrepreneurship and more.
"Brewing is very goal driven and task oriented, requiring discipline and a strong work ethic. This is why so many veterans have gone into this field.”
Joe Askren, Director of USF's Brewing Arts Program
A key component of the program is its partnerships with local businesses, allowing students to gain real-world experience in professional brewing environments during their internship.
Interested students can apply to the next Brewing Arts cohort that begins on August 3rd, 2026.
The GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at VA.gov.