Major in Wine, Spirits and Beverage Management

In the food service industry professionals in wine, spirits and beverage management are in high demand. And the types of jobs available are diverse. But where do you get training in this specialized aspect of the industry?

As the name suggests a beverage manager combines a specialized know-how of wines, beers, and spirits with a great deal of business savvy that could include marketing, sales, inventory control, buying, food pairing and much more.

Closely related majors include:

• Food service and beverage management
• Entrepreneurship and beverage management
• Culinary arts or restaurant management with specialization in beverage management

Types of Schools that Offer Beverage Management Majors

Explore the various culinary arts schools. Some adhere to a strict culinary arts curriculum while others offer a wide complement of majors:

Culinary arts and professional cooking schools including select International Culinary Arts schools at the Art Institutes, the French Culinary Institute and select Le Cordon Bleu programs.

Four-year colleges and universities with Hospitality schools, local or national

Curriculum or What You’ll Learn in a Beverage Management Program

Exact coursework is determined by each school, as well as any prerequisites for the major. For example, in some cases the beverage management track will be a specialized add-on to a restaurant management major or a culinary arts major. Expect the following skills and courses to be included in a comprehensive beverage management major:

• Background in culinary arts and/or pastry arts, including basic kitchen skills
• Training in wines and food pairing
• Beer and spirits training
• Inventory and cost control
• Beverage delivery and presentation
• Local, state, and national liquor laws, tax laws and related regulations
• Business courses in marketing, sales, communication and management of human resources
• Restaurant, hotel, resort operations

You can ensure a smooth transition to a job when you enroll in a school that requires you engage in an externship in the industry. Internships, externships and apprenticeships allow you a certain period of time to work/study in a job in the food and beverage industry. This type of experience is important for your resume and can help you build professional contacts and networks.

Careers in Wine and Beverage Management

“Wow!” best describes the diversity of career opportunity in the beverage management field. The most obvious may be beverage manager in a full-service restaurant or upscale lounge/restaurant, but here are some of the careers sought out by wine, beer and beverage management majors:

• Restaurant and/or Hotel Beverage Manager
• Lounge/Restaurant Manager
• Wine Sommelier
• Wine, Beer and Spirits Distributor/Sales/Owner
• Manager Microbrewery
• Winery Management/Operations
• Casino Beverage Manager/Director
• Cruise Line Beverage Manager/Director
• Beverage Management and Restaurant Operations

Fresh out of school you will be prepared for entry- or mid-level jobs. Some of these jobs could require you work long hours and along non-traditional shifts, including evenings, nights and definitely weekends and holidays. Bring a good dose of creativity and innovation where trendy beverages drive business revenue.