In the course, participants will study the modern beer production process, from raw materials to finished beer. To understand the subject, the course begins with a general introduction to fermentation, including why fermentation occurs, what happens, and how the right conditions can be achieved for it to happen.

A few weeks ago, we met with Witold Pietrzak, who holds a doctorate in Food Technology, in the university’s Chemical Engineering Lab, where he conducts his research on fermentation and fungi. He takes a break to talk about the popular summer course he will be teaching. He holds up a simple glass container with a yellow liquid in it and tells us that only a few days are left until the liquid needs to be bottled.

"There is a lot of interesting science behind brewing dealing with enzymes, chemical engineering, and biology. And it is possible to brew beer at home and no expensive, special equipment is needed," he says.

The course will also discuss the raw materials and how they change during each stage of the process. Furthermore, how the raw materials affect and are affected by the yeast responsible for producing the taste and alcohol are also presented. The impact of beer production on the environment and how the waste that is generated can be treated will also be discussed. Upon completion of the course, the students will have the theoretical knowledge required to brew their own beer.

All parts of the brewing are filmed as this is a distance course. There is also no need for any particular prior knowledge.

About 1,400 people applied for the course, which is quite a lot for a summer course.

"Beer brewing is still very trendy. Some may start their own brewery, others might be interested in reading more about biotechnology and chemical engineering," says Witold Pietrzak.