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Introducing: The Crafted Academy
The Crafted Academy equips food and beverage professionals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to grow their careers. Designed for curious learners, new hires, and career changers across front-of-house, back-of-house, and production-adjacent roles, the Academy combines a professional development curriculum, on-site certification opportunities, and a homebrewing showcase + competition to support holistic growth, beverage knowledge, and technical skills.
Professional Development Curriculum
On-Site
Certification Opportunities
Homebrewing Showcase +
Competition
Crafted Academy Schedule Overview*
We're offering professional development, on-site certifications, and a Homebrew Showcase + Competition during the conference week. Full schedule coming soon!
*Subject to Change
Three professional development tracks will be available on Monday (6/1/2026) and Thursday (6/4/2026) during the Crafted for Action conference week. Register for the date and time that works best for you!
Professional Development Curriculum
Hospitality + Brewery Experience Training
Great beer brings people in; great hospitality keeps them coming back! This track equips brewery teams with hospitality-first tools to create welcoming, memorable experiences that drive repeat visits and build lasting loyalty.
What You’ll Learn
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Taproom and front-of-house hospitality standards
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How experience design influences guest behavior
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Strategies to encourage repeat visits
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Practical tools for engagement, service flow, and team culture
Curriculum Lead:
LaTreace Harris
Certified Cicerone ® Beer Education Consultant
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sensory + flavor language
Develop confidence in how you taste, talk about, and evaluate beverages. This track breaks down sensory education in an approachable way. Sharpen your palate, expand your vocabulary, and trust what you’re experiencing, whether you’re tasting beer, wine, cider, or spirits.
What You’ll Learn
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How to build and use a shared, accessible “flavor language”
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Sensory fundamentals including aroma recognition and off-flavors
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Practical techniques for evaluating beer, cider, wine, and spirits
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Tools that support BJCP preparation and long-term sensory growth
Curriculum Lead:
Michelle turner
Certified Cicerone ® Certified BJCP Judge WSET Lv 1 Award in Wine
technical + operations skills
Get hands-on with the technical skills that power great beverage programs behind the scenes. This track focuses on practical, real-world knowledge that supports quality, consistency, and professionalism across taprooms and beverage operations.
What You’ll Learn
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Draught system fundamentals, line cleaning, and troubleshooting
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Jockey box setup, gas systems, and coupler basics
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Proper pouring techniques and global pour styles
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Back-of-house operational best practices that keep systems running smoothly
Curriculum Lead
Jen blair
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Master Cicerone ®
Master BJCP Judge
On-Site Certification Opportunities
Learn. Prepare. Test.
All in one place.
The Crafted Academy is working with credentialing organizations to offer on-site certification exams and study opportunities during the 2026 conference week. Our goal is to reduce barriers to access by pairing education, study support, and testing in one place.
Planned opportunities may include introductory and foundational beverage certifications in beer through the Cicerone ®, BJCP and WSET organizations. Availability will depend on participant interest.
Join the certification interest list to receive updates and help us determine which exams to offer and how many seats to secure.
Homebrewing Showcase + Competition
Ready to take your homebrewing to the next level? The Crafted for Action Homebrew Showcase is built for curious, passionate brewers who want to grow, not just compete. This experience is intentionally educational, supportive, and community-driven, offering real feedback, real exposure, and a real opportunity to level up.
Our goal is to bridge the gap between enthusiastic homebrewers and competition-ready brewers by pairing thoughtful evaluation, live judging, and learning in a conference setting designed to help you improve with confidence.
2026 Competition Format
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Designated Style: American Blonde Ale
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Entry Limit: One (1) entry per individual or team
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Team Size: Individual brewer or team (list all contributors)
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Volume Required: Six bottles per entry for judging
No prior competition experience is required, just a willingness to learn, share, and grow.
Think you have what it takes? Join the Showcase and put your beer (and your skills) to the test.
A professional development program for aspiring and early-career talent in hospitality, brewing, beverage, and food designed for enthusiasts, career switchers, and new hires ready to level up.
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