The program sets out to break the mold of traditional pedagogy by marrying the theoretical underpinnings of the brewing process with state-of-the-art laboratory practice and real-world application, which is delivered via a new generation distance learning platform. To this end, the program has partnered with New Realm Brewing Company and various members of the craft beer industry to showcase best practices. Conscious that they cannot replicate/simulate best industry practice in a laboratory setting, faculty will bring the real world of commercial brewing into the traditional learning environment. In essence, New Realm Brewing Company and our other industry relations have become an extension of the laboratory training and broader learning exercise.
New Realm is an American craft brewery and distillery started in 2016 by co-founders Carey Falcone, Bob Powers, and Mitch Steele. The company currently operates six locations in Auburn, AL; Atlanta, GA; Charleston and Greenville, SC and Suffolk and Virginia Beach, VA with the flagship brewery and restaurant located in Atlanta. New Realm’s core principles are quality, creativity, authenticity, and striving for perfection, all with a customer-centric community focused commitment and approach.
In addition to brewing high-quality craft beer, New Realm operates production and innovation breweries/distilleries, each with on-site scratch kitchens serving globally inspired, locally sourced fare, in multiple Southeastern U.S. cities. New Realm’s location on the Plains is in the new state-of-the-art Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, home to the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management in the College of Human Sciences.
New Realm Brewing Company has received numerous awards for their beers and brewing practices. In 2025, they won three World Beer Cup medals, including a silver for their Blackberry Smoke lager. This same beer also earned a gold and bronze at the Great American Beer Festival. Other accolades include multiple Great American Beer Festival gold medals, recognition as Brewbound’s “Rising Star” brewery, and awards for “Best New Brewer” in Georgia and the world from Ratebeer.
As indicated, the program has also collaborated with a variety of in- and out-of-state craft industry relations to bring the online learning experience to life. These include:
