Student

Noah Schlesinger

Brewing & Fermentation Science

From the moment he turned 21 and began exploring unique beers, Noah fell in love with the craft. After a few creations of his own, he knew the Brewing & Fermentation program at Penn College was his next step. “Education is a staple you can’t replace if you want to be the best at something,” he said. “It was the most efficient way to get where I wanted to be without cutting corners.”

TAKING THE LEAD

Q&A with Noah

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO PURSUE AN EDUCATION IN BREWING?

I have a high respect for education in general. It’s a staple you can’t replace if you want to be the best you can be at something. I wasn’t completely sure how someone even approaches the brewing industry from the outside. The education route felt like the most efficient way to get where I wanted to be without cutting corners.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST FALL IN LOVE WITH BREWING AND WHY?

It happened in a couple of steps. I started trying different craft beers at the bottle shop when I turned 21, and it’s kind of like, “Wow, beer can taste like this?” Then I started reading about beer and brewing and grabbed a couple homebrew kits to try a simplified version on my own. I truly fell in love with it once I started the brewing program. I was exposed to just how much science was involved. Brewing is so unique in the balance of science and art; I love that the most about it.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND PENN COLLEGE?

It was kind of perfect timing. Location was a big factor. The two-year program at the time appealed to me because I already had a bachelor's degree and felt like four more years in college would be too much. I met with Tim Yarrington to discuss the program, and that solidified it. It was also important to me that the program is recognized by the Master Brewers Association of the Americas.

IS THERE AN ASPECT OF YOUR EDUCATION THAT YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

The most enjoyable part is being in the classroom with other like-minded students. We’re all here for the same reason, and it makes the learning process that much better. There is a general passion between all of us to be the best we can and contribute greatly to the industry.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PENN COLLEGE?

If you’re considering the Brewing and Fermentation Science certificate, I say go for it! I was a non-traditional student, and it was difficult to get back into school mode. But what I learned during this program is irreplaceable.

HAS THERE BEEN A UNIQUE OR STAND-OUT MOMENT FOR YOU THAT YOU'LL REMEMBER AFTER GRADUATION?

There was an event our first semester where the alumni from the brewing program came back and represented the breweries where they were employed. They provided beer tastings and the culinary students provided food. The current brewing students got to pair up with the alumni to hand out tastings and talk about the beer to faculty and other alumni. It was unique in itself, but I think it will stand out even more because that was the only semester the pandemic did not impact.

Guaranteed Momentum

"I am excited to see where my degree takes me. Ultimately, I see myself owning a brewery that can be a destination for people to gather and celebrate life. And I am going to let that path pave itself."

Noah Schlesinger