5-Day Distiller Course

Embark on an immersive learning journey unlike any other, led by 40+ industry experts for a practical experience that seamlessly integrates technical spirits training with business management education. Each segment of this five-day experience explores a distinct set of distilling skills, complemented by expert panels offering unique insider perspectives. Topics span business plan development, distillery construction, regulations, marketing, equipment, manufacturing, distribution, finances, and other industry challenges and opportunities.

Amid the hands-on distillation of spirits, participants delve into the science of spirits production, examining mash bills, maceration, fermenting, and finishing at the on-campus beverage development lab. Tours and networking receptions, including visits to local distilleries, further enrich the week, forging professional and personal connections to last a lifetime. The course's culmination includes a brief graduation ceremony, allowing participants to bottle the whiskey they helped create and raise a toast to a week well spent.

• Moonshine University staff and faculty introductions
• Overview of first decisions you'll make as a distiller: equipment selection, site selection, and construction
• Hands-On Distillery Activity: Mashing, Malting, and Grain Processing
• Distillery panel
• Hands-On Distillery Activity: Cooking and Transferring Mash
• Presentation on business planning, best practices in your facility, proper distillery management, and key considerations
• Flavorman Tour and Bridge Spirits sensory exercise
• Evening Networking Reception

• Hands-On Distillery Activity: Fermentation
• "Whiskey 101" & Grain Sensory Evaluation
• Fermentation experts teach mash bill calculations and the scientific process of fermentation for spirits
• "Distilling 102"
• Rum distillers explore the creation of Rum and its different styles through lectures and sensory exercises
• Legal experts provide an overview of state compliance, permitting, and regulations for starting up a distillery

• Hands-On Distillery Activity: Transferring wash and first rounds of distillation
• Exploring proper proofing & gauging
• Sensory training on the most common congeners found in distillation
• Regulatory exports discuss COLAs & proper labelling practices
• Distribution professionals dive into the three-tier distribution process and build a distributor relationship
• Exploring on & off-premise considerations

• Artisan Panel featuring industry-renowned distillers and distillery owners to tell their stories and have an open dialogue with the class
• Exploring how Vodka is made
• Hands-On Distillery Exercise: Stilling and Proofing
• Botanical Spirits expert explores Gin-making and different styles through sensory evaluation
• Overview of the post-distillation processes
• Vendome Copper & Brass Works Tour
• Copper & Kings Tour

• Overview of best packaging, closures, and bottling practices
• Sizing Exercise: Manufacturing
• Cooperage professionals teach "Oak 101," exploring barrel aging, maturation, and finishing
• Hands-On Distillery Activity: Barrel Filling Exercise and Bottling
• Marketing experts teach about branding & marketing strategy, sales, and retail guest experience
• Class wrap-up, final thoughts, and "graduation"

**Early Bird Registration covers your stay at our contracted hotel from Day 1 to the last day of class. The Early Bird deadline is 3 weeks before the first day of class.