Photo Credit: @ blue_fire_brew
In late 2018, brothers Tommy and Charlie Gordon were kicking around the idea of opening a brewery.
For years, they had been brewing their own beer at home and every time they went on vacation, craft breweries were a must-see stop on the agenda. So, when the pair read that MiraCosta College was launching a new program for future Craft Brewing Technicians, they jumped at the opportunity.
“In a lot of ways, the BrewTech Program was the catalyst for our business,” shared Tommy. “We were able to take our idea and start putting actionable steps behind it.” As Tommy described, the class made the brothers’ plans a reality.
MiraCosta College’s BrewTech Program is designed to train students to become productive brewers while gaining confidence in the brewhouse, cellar, or packaging line. As one of the premiere craft beer programs with an on-site brewery, the class provides students with the tools they need to become turnkey brewery technicians.
“The best part is that the course is led by someone who owns and operates his own brewery,” explained Tommy. “During each class, you’re learning real-world skills that can be applied to any part of the beer business.”
Over the course of the 280-hour program, Tommy and Charlie learned about everything from fermentation science to lean business practices at a brewery. And once they completed the education, they quickly put their new knowledge to use.
During the pandemic, Tommy, Charlie, and their father worked to build out a five-barrel brewery and tasting room in San Marcos. On the advice of their BrewTech Program instructor Mike Stevenson, they focused on creating a space that emphasizes “lean” principles to make the most out of their space and utilized brewing techniques that fit their passions. Today,
Blue Fire Brewery & Tasting Room in San Marcos serves as a destination for all beer and craft beverage lovers in the community.
Since its creation in 2018, the BrewTech Program has helped numerous graduates follow in the footsteps of Tommy and Charlie. Several students have gone on to open their own breweries, with many more taking on high-paying jobs with established brands across San Diego County.
Just a few years young, the MiraCosta College BrewTech Program is already an award-winning initiative. Students from one of the recent cohorts won the Grand National Championship title in the 2021 U.S. Open College Beer Championship.
