Elevate Beer & Optimize Yeast Performance
Step beyond the basics and dive deep into the science of fermentation in our practical, hands-on 3-day Yeast Essentials Workshop, designed for all beverage-makers serious about upping their game. Whether you're refining your yeast harvesting practices or starting a quality control program, this workshop delivers powerful tools and advanced techniques to elevate your fermentation operations.
What You’ll Learn:
- Yeast handling best practices from industry experts
- Troubleshooting fermentation issues with confidence
- Yeast cell counting, viability testing, and microbiological plating
- Real-world QA/QC methodologies and guidelines
- Technical Brewhouse Demos
Ticket Price Includes
- 3 Days of Lectures ranging from How to Choose A House Yeast Strain to Reducing your Yeast COGs
- In-Person Lab Practice & Live Brewhouse Demo
- Breakfast Snacks, Coffee & Lunches
- A Social Happy Hour & Brewery Visit
Sign up now! Bring your team and save 10% on 2+ seats or 20% on 5+—no code needed.
Limited spots available—let’s unlock the full potential of your yeast handling!
*We reserve the right to cancel or modify classes 30 days + prior to commencement in the rare cases enrollment goals are not met or for other reasons. We recommend that you not pay or reserve travel arrangements until 30 days prior to a class to avoid change fees or other expenses. We will issue full attendee refunds for any reason.
White Labs will refund enrollment costs but not other expenses (such as airline cancellation or change fees) for canceled classes
Schedule (Example)
October 14 - 16 Schedule coming soon
Example Day 1
Location: Asheville, NC
9:00–9:45
Coffee & Breakfast Snacks Provided
Welcome & Introduction to Yeast
9:45–10:45
Strain Selection and Flavor
- Strain Selection Parameters to Consider
- Yeast Flavor and Aroma Contribution
- Sensory and Flavor Descriptors
10:45–11:00
BREAK
11:00–12:00
Keys to a Healthy Fermentation
- How off-flavors can be a sign of poor yeast health
- Avoiding issues through recipe design and fermentation control
12:00–1:15
WORKSHOP LUNCHEON
Lunch provided by White Labs Brewing Co.
1:15–2:30
Setting Up a Brewery Lab
- Why and how to start a QC program
- Overview of testing and required materials
- Media Types
2:30–4:00
Lab Techniques
Hands-on Lab Demos with White Labs Analytical Team
- Aseptic technique
- Media preparation and microbiological plating
- Dilutions and cell counting
- Determining how much to pitch
4:00–6:00
Happy Hour
Beverages provided by White Labs Brewing Co.
Example Day 2
Location: Asheville, NC
9:00–10:00
Coffee & Breakfast Snacks Provided
Fermentation Considerations by Beer Style
- Exploring Lagers
- IPAs
- High Gravity Beers
- Non- and Low-Alcohol Beers
- Biotransformation
10:00–11:00
Yeast Handling
- Collecting, Harvesting and Repitching Yeast
- Optimal Yeast Storage Conditions
- Planning & Managing Yeast
11:00–11:15
BREAK
11:15–12:15
Tips on Extending Your Yeast
- Yeast cropping
- Maximizing initial propagation of yeast
12:15–1:00
WORKSHOP LUNCHEON
Lunch provided by White Labs Brewing Co.
1:00–1:45
Brewing Water
- Understanding optimal water profiles for brewing
- Water adjustments by beer style
1:45–2:30
Brew Lab Demo
- Yeast Collection
- Pitching Yeast
- Brewery QC Checks
3:00–4:00
Happy Hour
Example Day 3
Location: Asheville, NC
9:00–10:00
Coffee & Breakfast Snacks Provided
Brewing Troubleshooting
- Yeast health, viability, and proper pitching rates
- Oxygen management and temperature control
- Preventing contamination and attenuation issues
- Troubleshooting off-flavors (esters, sulfur, etc.)
- Practical tools for consistent, reliable fermentations
10:00–12:00
Lab Practicum
Hands-on Lab Practicum White Labs Analytical Lab
- QA/QC Level 1 Lab Practice
- Forced Fermentation
- Forced Diacetyl
- Colony Growth / Gram Staining
12:00
Summary, Q&A and Certificates
Location
Speakers
Chris White
White Labs - Founder and CEO
Devin Tani
White Labs - Analytical & Technical Programs Manager
Mike White
White Labs - Vice President of Customer Technology
Pablo Gomez
White Labs - Technical Account Manager Southeast & Latin America
Kevin Sondey
White Labs - Operations Manager
White Labs - Founder and CEO
Chris White
Chris White lives in San Diego, Calif., USA, where he serves as CEO of White Labs Inc. Chris founded White Labs in 1995 to manufacture yeast cultures and provide fermentation services to the brewing, wine, and distilling industries. Chris has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego and a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis. While at Davis, Chris interned at Genentech Inc., the world's first biotechnology company. White is coauthor of Yeast: The Practical Guide To Beer Fermentation, co-designer of BrewMaster: The Craft Beer Game, and has published numerous articles on yeast, beer, and fermentation.
Chris White was a lecturer in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at U.C. San Diego from 1999-2007, and is currently teaching in the Brewing Certificate Program at U.C. San Diego Extension. Chris was awarded the 2013 Recognition Award from the American Homebrewers Association.
White Labs - Analytical & Technical Programs Manager
Devin Tani
Devin Tani received a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of California, Irvine, as well as a Professional Certificate in Brewing from the University of California, San Diego Extension. Devin has had various roles at White Labs previously working in both the R&D and Analytical Lab, now becoming the Education & Marketing Engagement Coordinator. He now hopes to spread his scientific knowledge to others. Devin loves teaching about the nuances and scientific importance of fermentation.
White Labs - Vice President of Customer Technology
Mike White
Mike White joined White Labs in 2006 after working as a reporter in California and Alaska. He helps run online orders and customer technology tools.
White Labs - Technical Account Manager Southeast & Latin America
Pablo Gomez
Pablo is the Technical Account Manager for the Southeast and Latin America at White Labs Inc., where he supports customers with expert guidance and solutions tailored to their fermentation and brewing needs. With a strong technical background and a passion for building relationships, Pablo serves as a trusted partner to breweries and producers across his region, helping them achieve consistent, high-quality results.
White Labs - Operations Manager
Kevin Sondey
Kevin Sondey is the Operations Manager of White Labs in Asheville, overseeing Production, Shipping, Lab, and Brewing. He brings extensive leadership experience, having scaled production at Fed Up Foods from 4,400 to over 175,000 cases per month while leading a 60+ person team, and previously growing brewery operations across multiple cities with Catawba Brewing Company.
2026 Classes
Accommodations
For lodging, we recommend the Cambria Downtown Asheville which is about a 15-minute walk from White Labs and surrounding breweries, bars, and restaurants. The link below includes a discounted corporate rate.