FAQ Topics
I've heard that I can donate beer to the course. Is this true?
Yes! It is course tradition for students to supply beer for consumption during the course. Shipments should be sent to the Lowell Center following the labeling instructions below. Beer can be shipped at any time, and the Lowell Center will store it until the course begins. Typically students have supplied 2–3 cases per student.
Ship to:
Lowell Center
University of Wisconsin
610 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53703
Hold for: MBAA Brewery Packaging Technology Course
Guest: (YOUR NAME) arriving (YOUR ARRIVAL DATE)
NOT FOR RESALE
Students from outside the United States are urged to check beer on the plane or have it shipped to the Lowell Center through a local distributor. If this is not possible, enlist your company's custom broker to ship the beer to your attention at the Lowell Center and bill shipping charges to your brewery, NOT MBAA or the university. The beer must be marked "NOT FOR RESALE." Master Brewers cannot provide assistance to get beer into the country.
Students who do not work in a brewery are encouraged to bring a few cases of their favorite beer with them to the course. These can be purchased in Madison.
What is included with tuition?
Accommodations at the class site
Overnight accommodations at the Lowell Center on the University of Wisconsin Madison campus (610 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53703) are included with the tuition fee for the nights of April 26 through May 8, 2020. Check in begins at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 26. Check out on May 8 is 11:00 a.m. If you want/require a late check-out, it is your responsibility to secure that with the hotel. If there are any fees associated with the late check-out, they are your responsibility. Luggage can be stored at the front desk for those individuals whose transportation leaves later.
Accommodation requests for early arrival or late departure should be made by contacting the Lowell Center directly at +1.608.256.2621 or
lowell@ecc.uwex.edu. You are responsible for paying for any additional room nights.
Two meals per day during instruction times
All breakfasts and lunches on days students attend class are provided, except on the final day, when only a continental breakfast is provided. The Lowell Center provides an opening and closing reception/dinner. The opening reception dinner will be held on Sunday, April 26. The closing reception dinner will be held on Thursday, May 7.
Educational MaterialsStudents will receive all applicable lecture materials in USB format when they arrive in Madison. The printable course materials can be accessed by attendees on the
Packaging Technology Course Community Site or through a link sent a few weeks prior to the course.
TourTours are included with the tuition for this course. Please check the course schedule for tour information. You will be required to wear appropriate apparel (close-toed shoes and pants) on these tours. Dress code specifics for the MillerCoors tour are
available here.
Bedding/Towels/Laundry
Laundry pickup is available on request, or a washer and dryer can be made available by inquiring at the front desk. Towels and bedding will be provided.
What is NOT included in tuition?
IBD Exam
The IBD Exam is NOT a part of course tuition. If you have questions about the exam, please contact IBD directly at
exams@ibd.org.uk or
training@ibd.org.uk. Master Brewers only proctors the exam. IBD handles all application questions. Seats are limited to the first 10 who apply.
Transportation
Transportation to and from Madison is at your own cost. See the next question for additional information on transportation.
Parking
If you bring a car, you may obtain a parking permit at the Lowell Center Front Desk. There will be an additional fee for parking that is not included in your tuition. Parking without a permit may result in your car being ticketed or towed.
Meals Outside of Class Time
Evening meals, as well as meals on nonscheduled class days, are not included. However, campus cafeterias and restaurants are accessible by car, cab, and foot. Some fast-food restaurants will deliver to the Lowell Center.
Special Interests
Athletic passes for use of the gym, swimming pool, and tennis court facilities are available. There is also an trail for persons who wish to walk or run. Medical facilities are available should the need arise.
How do I get to the course?
Transportation to and from Madison is at your own cost. Please keep in mind that Madison is served by Delta, United, American, and several smaller commuter airlines. The airport serving Madison is the Dane County Regional Airport. The airport is 6 miles from the Lowell Center, and cab fare is estimated at $15.00.
For attendees who may be traveling into larger airports, the following are estimated distances:
Chicago O'Hare International, Chicago, Illinois, 135 miles, 2.5-hour drive
General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 87 miles, 1 hour 45-minute drive
When are the class times?
Classes begin at scheduled times. A typical day in the classroom begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends around 5:00 p.m., however, please refer to the posted schedule online for specific class times. As a courtesy to our instructors and other students, please adhere to the class schedule. Classes are held at the Pyle Center in Room 335.
What should I wear?
Dress is comfortable (casual) for classroom attendance. People have been known to wear business casual at the banquets. Close-toed shoes are required for tours.
I've heard that I should leave room in my luggage for take-home materials. How much space should I plan for?
We no longer provide course materials in the form of three-ring binders, so extra space is not necessary. However, if you'd like to order a book at the course, leave room!
Will there be smoking?
The University of Wisconsin is a smoke-free facility.
What's the weather like in Madison, Wisconsin?
Weather in Wisconsin in April/May is typically mild. The average temperatures range from 44°F (7°C) to 70°F (21°C). Dress in layers and be prepared for rain or shine.
I want to bring spending money. What do you recommend?
Be sure to bring U.S. currency with you in denominations of $5, $10, and $20 bills, as the Lowell Center, some cabs, and/or restaurants may not accept denominations larger than a $20 bill. Traveler's checks are acceptable and recommended in small denominations.
I've planned to bring extra spending money. Will I be able to purchase Master Brewers Merchandise at the course?
Definitely! If you purchase items during the first week of the course, you will not be charged a shipping fee and those materials will be shipped directly to Madison for you to take home with you. If you purchase items during the second week of the course, items will be shipped to your home/business. A shipping charge may apply. Best to purchase items right away!
I still have questions. Who can I contact?
3340 Pilot Knob Road
St. Paul, MN 55121
United States of America
Telephone: +1.651.454.7250
Fax: +1.651.454.0766
E-mail: mbaa@mbaa.com
