Program Overview

Distilled Spirits Business (SPIR)

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.

Course Descriptions

• SPIR 610. Distilled Spirits Industry Overview & Regulatory Issues (1.5 Units)
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Description: Students will be introduced to an overview of the distilled spirits industry, covering industry outlook, economic impact, and key historical development. Students also will learn about key regulatory agencies and the regulations governing the industry, including spirits formulary, permits, labeling, advertising, and trademark.
• SPIR 620. Distilled Spirits Finance Fundamentals (1.5 Units)
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Description: Students will be exposed to the finance fundamentals of the distilled spirits industry. They will learn how to project sales (including volume and pricing, distributor incentives, and marketing and promotion budgets). The course will also cover competitor price analysis, working capital, cost of production, and simple tax calculations.
• SPIR 630. Distilled Spirits Operations & Supply Chain (1.5 Units)
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Description: Students will get an overview of the operations functions of the distilled spirits industry. They will be exposed to and apply critical elements of planning, sourcing, producing, and distributing spirits.
• SPIR 640. Sustainability in the Distilled Spirits Industry (1.5 Units)
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Description: Students will learn about the broad array of sustainability issues in the distilled spirits industry and how they are essential to corporate social responsibility initiatives. Key topics include water, grain sources, barrel use (including forestry), energy, spent grains, and emissions.
• SPIR 650. Spirit Brand Marketing (1.5 Units)
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Description: Students will be introduced to and apply marketing principles driving the creation of a brand. Special attention will be paid to product differentiation, on-premise and off-premise markets, and responsible marketing.
• SPIR 660. Three-Tier System of Alcohol Distribution (1.5 Units)
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Description: Students will get a broad overview of how the three-tier system operates as the route to market. Special attention will be focused on the distributor, which is the critical link between suppliers and consumer.