Beer Quality: Freshness (Coursera)

Beer Quality: Freshness (Coursera)

In this third course of the Beer Quality Series on beer freshness, led by distinguished professor Charles Bamforth, Ph.D, you will learn about beer flavor preconceptions, expectations, and causes of flavor instability. You'll also learn about the science of flavor change and the study and process impacts of flavor stability. In addition, you will review light instability and how it can lead to skunking.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course 3 of 5 in the Beer Quality Specialization.

What You Will Learn
Discover the science behind beer freshness, how to measure and assess freshness, and how to achieve ideal freshness in beer.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Getting Started & Beer Freshness
In this first module, we examine the importance of flavor stability. We do this, in part by reviewing a study asking consumers if they can differentiate between fresh and stale beer and if it matters to them. We'll review how imported and domestic beer flavor is perceived by consumers, discuss the importance of delivering a consistent flavor, and understand how chemical changes affect beer flavor. We'll also go into how flavor changes are assessed.

WEEK 2
The Science of Flavor Change
In this module, we look at various chemical processes that change flavor. We'll also review how carbonyl compounds interact with proteins to change flavor and discuss strategies for minimizing flavor change.

WEEK 3
Flavor Instability
In this module, we'll focus on using senses to assess flavor and typical methods of reporting flavor. We'll also review some of the tools that can be used to measure flavor instability and continue our discussion of the processes in beer production that can affect flavor.

WEEK 4
Critical Control Points & Light Instability
In this module, we'll discuss how to prioritize when improving the shelf life of your beer and consider the susceptibility of beer to light.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Introduction to Forensic Science (Coursera) Coursera
Nanyang Technological University

Introduction to Forensic Science (Coursera)

We have all seen forensic scientists in TV shows, but how do they really work? What is the science behind their work? The course aims to explain the scientific principles and techniques behind the work of forensic scientists and will be illustrated with numerous case studies from Singapore and around the world.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 1 (Coursera) Coursera
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 1 (Coursera)

An appreciation of thermodynamics is required to become a chemical and biomolecular engineer. Thermodynamics can assess the viability of a process and is one of the curriculum's most essential topics. The principles are utilized in following engineering courses (kinetics, mass transfer, design, materials) and are applicable to numerous engineering disciplines. The increased emphasis on energy usage and transformation as a result of rising demand, diminishing supply, and global warming necessitates that the engineers who will tackle these issues have a firm grasp of thermodynamics.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mastering bitumen for better roads and innovative applications (Coursera) Coursera
École des Ponts ParisTech

Mastering bitumen for better roads and innovative applications (Coursera)

During the four coming weeks, best experts in bitumen will bring you their knowledge and experience to build a strong understanding of today’s realities and new perspectives on the future of bitumen. Total is the European leader on bitumen markets. Innovation has always been the key to sustainability and durability in the products they develop. Their main objective here is to share technical knowledge and experience to insure bitumen are being used in the most effective and efficient ways for their different applications in road works.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 1 (Coursera)

Nanotechnology and nanosensors are broad, interdisciplinary areas that encompass (bio)chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, electrical engineering and more. The present course will provide a survey on some of the fundamental principles behind nanotechnology and nanomaterials and their vital role in novel sensing properties and applications. The course will discuss interesting interdisciplinary scientific and engineering knowledge at the nanoscale to understand fundamental physical differences at the nanosensors.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Beer Quality Systems (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Davis

Beer Quality Systems (Coursera)

Ultimately, the difference between success and failure as a brewer is whether you consistently deliver a quality beer. Designed for brewers of all skill levels, this course is part of a comprehensive series where brewing legend Charlie Bamforth, Ph.D. guides you through the key markers of beer quality: flavor, foam, color/clarity, freshness and quality systems. In this last course of the Beer Quality Series, you will examine the systems necessary to produce quality beer.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Introduction to Petroleum Engineering (Coursera) Coursera
Tomsk Polytechnic University,E-Learning Development Fund

Introduction to Petroleum Engineering (Coursera)

In this course, you will learn such concepts as oil and gas production, reservoir energy and forces, petroleum deposit drainage, development systems, well operation techniques and much more. Each participant in the course will develop an understanding of field life cycle and interdisciplinary approach to petroleum field development and operation.

Aug 1st 2022
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to High-Throughput Materials Development (Coursera) Coursera
Georgia Institute of Technology

Introduction to High-Throughput Materials Development (Coursera)

This course is an introduction to high-throughput experimental methods that accelerate the discovery and development of new materials. This course is an introduction to high-throughput experimental methods that accelerate the discovery and development of new materials. It is well recognized that the discovery of new materials is the key to solving many technological problems faced by industry and society. These problems include energy production and utilization, carbon capture, tissue engineering, and sustainable materials production, among many others. This course will introduce the learner to a remarkable new approach to materials discovery and characterization: high-throughput materials development (HTMD).

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Predictive Models for Toxic Chemical Releases (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Davis

Predictive Models for Toxic Chemical Releases (Coursera)

Discover the core principles of process safety and risk analysis in chemical engineering through our dynamic course. Gain expertise in modeling liquid and gas leaks, accurately assessing potential material releases, and calculating downwind exposures to toxic chemicals using state-of-the-art dispersion models. This course equips chemical engineers with essential skills to evaluate and mitigate hazardous concentrations effectively, ensuring industrial process safety.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
General Chemistry: Concept Development and Application (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

General Chemistry: Concept Development and Application (Coursera)

This course will cover the topics of a full year, two semester General Chemistry course. We will use a free on-line textbook, Concept Development Studies in Chemistry, available via Rice’s Connexions project. The fundamental concepts in the course will be introduced via the Concept Development Approach developed at Rice University. In this approach, we will develop the concepts you need to know from experimental observations and scientific reasoning rather than simply telling you the concepts and then asking you to simply memorize or apply them.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
La Química de las Reacciones (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana

La Química de las Reacciones (Coursera)

En este curso aprenderás los conocimientos básicos de reacciones químicas, lo cual te permitirá tener una mejor comprensión del estudio de la química, así como de la naturaleza. En general la mayoría de la gente le tiene miedo a la palabra química; sin embargo, debido a que la química es una ciencia central es necesario comprenderla y hacerla nuestra amiga.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks