Douglass Miller has over 30 years of industry experience in restaurants, hotels, resorts, and education. He has worked around the country, including Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York City, Hawaii, Santa Barbara, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, for organizations such as Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels, Wyndham Hotel, Marriott, and several independent companies. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), SUNY Empire State College, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he holds a Master’s of Hospitality Administration. Currently, he is a lecturer in food and beverage management at the SC Johnson College of Business, School of Hotel Administration (SHA). Before Cornell University, he was a professor of hospitality and service management at the CIA. Doug is a Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS), Society of Wine Educators; Certified Beer Server, Cicerone; and has taken the Introductory Sommelier Course; The Court of Master Sommeliers. He has spoken at several conferences including Tales of the Cocktail, Craft Brewers Conference, Great American Beer Festival, and Menus of Change.
Doug has also been interviewed by the Associated Press, The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, Nation’s Restaurant News, and has had cocktails published in Liquor.com, USA Today Magazine, and AOL. He was a content provider and consultant on the CIA’s book, Remarkable Service: A Guide to Winning and Keeping Customers for Servers, Managers, and Restaurant Owners.
Overview and Courses
In recent years, the craft beer industry has rapidly expanded, and the number of breweries worldwide has skyrocketed. For bar and restaurant operators, this means customers now expect different beer choices than they’ve traditionally been given. For customers, enthusiasts, and home hobbyists, it means a broader selection of ingredients to brew beer and expansive flavor profiles to taste and explore.
This certificate program provides the end-to-end understanding of beer production, tasting, and selection needed to establish an effective beer program in a commercial setting or simply increase your knowledge, understanding, and ability to appreciate beer. From ingredients and process to sensory analysis, to serving, training, and sales, you will gain meaningful insight into today’s evolving beer industry from leading experts.
This program is intended for use by persons of legal drinking ages under the relevant applicable laws where they reside. Purchase of supplies, such as beer malt, is required to enjoy the highly experiential nature of this course.
How It Works
Faculty Author
- Determine how the production process impacts beer styles
- Learn to taste beers and do a sensory analysis
- Complete an analysis to inform an educated decision around establishing a beer program
- Build a beer menu
- Have a positive impact on beer sales through training and education

Download a Brochure
Not ready to enroll but want to learn more? Download the certificate brochure to review program details.
- Beer Essentials Certificate from Cornell Hotel School
- 40 Professional Development Hours (4 CEUs)
Who Should Enroll
- Owners and managers of restaurants, hotels and breweries
- Bartenders, servers, and other food and beverage professionals
- Brewers, including home brewers
- Beer enthusiasts
- Professionals looking to invest in a brewery

{Anytime, anywhere.}