MONTPELIER, VT. — With an explosion in growth in the craft beer industry over the last decade, it's not enough to have a passion for brewing and beer when it comes to starting a brewery or working for one.



Recognizing that, some universities are now offering programs on the business of craft beer.



In the last decade, the number of craft breweries has grown to more than 4,000 in the U.S. from more than 1,400 in 2005, according to the Brewers Association.



A lot of breweries started out five or 10 years ago with a focus on beer, said Gregory Dunkling, director of the University of Vermont's online Business of Craft Beer certificate program, which starts in February. Back then, a home brewer may have been able to create some great recipes but didn't have the business acumen, so along the way hired staff to cover marketing, sales and the business operation, he said. It's harder to pull that off today.