Sep 26, 2014 10:20 AM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Central Michigan University (CMU) has started the first program of its kind in the state in fermentation sciences, aiming to train and certify beer-brewing experts.

According to the Associated Press, Michigan now boasts a $1 billion craft beer industry and was already among the nation's leaders in breweries. CMU would like to start the new undergraduate program in the fall of 2015.

"As of 2013, Michigan ranked fifth in the nation in number of breweries, behind only California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington," Ian Davison, dean of the College of Science and Technology, said in a press release. "This growing industry contributes significantly to the state's economy, supporting jobs in breweries as well as in farms producing barley and hops. In 2012, the Brewers Association calculated that Michigan craft brewing contributed 11,666 full-time equivalent jobs and had about a $1 billion economic impact."

The Brewer's Association defines American craft beer with keywords such as small, independent and traditional. Annual production must remain less than six million barrels, or the approximate equivalent of three percent of U.S. annual sales. Less than a quarter of craft breweries are owned by another brewery that is not itself a craft brewery. By long-held craft brewery standards, flavored malt beverages are not beers.

The University of California has two schools with beer-making classes at their San Diego and Davis campuses, though the state is also known for its wine. Other brewing programs also exist at Central Washington and Oregon State.

CMU's program will consist of classroom and lab work and also a 200-hour internship meant to train students with a "hands on experience" at a "production-scale facility."

"I am most excited about developing the scientific research component with CMU," Jim Holton, a CMU alumnus and owner of Mountain Town Station Brewing Co., said in the release. "To me, the more beer you brew, the better you get at it.

"What once was a hobby to brew beer requires more skills than ever to exceed customer expectations. I believe CMU is on the cutting-edge of a great program to help educate individuals on the art and science of brewing with an emphasis on fermentation science."

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