Kosher Liquor Masterclass

Premium Edition

Course overview
The Kosher Liquor Masterclass is a comprehensive 115-session program presented by the Kosher Institute of America. It is designed for kashrus professionals, culinary experts, and consumers seeking a deeper understanding of alcoholic beverages through halachic perspectives.

The course is taught by Rabbi Akiva Niehaus, certified saké sommelier and Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc, who also serves as the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc. He is the author of “Sherry Casks, A Halachic Perspective,” which discusses the kashrus of Scotch in the modern era.

Premium features

    • Professionally Printed & Framed Certificate
      • A beautifully presented diploma, printed and framed to high standards
      • Personalized with your name and completion date.
      • Shipped directly to your home, ready for display in your kitchen, office, or study
    • Verified Digital Badge
      • Official badge confirming completion of Kosher as a Career
      • Use in email signatures, digital resumes, or internal files
      • Delivered in PNG and PDF formats

What You Will Learn

The program is divided into twelve chapters and covers topics such as:
  • French vodka such as Grey Goose
  • The unique kashrus issue with the Budweiser Chelada
  • How Buffalo Trace developed their kosher bourbon solution
  • How saké production connects to avodah zara
  • Research findings from Spanish sherry producers
  • The status of Trappist monastery beers
  • Complications that arise in craft breweries
  • The controversy involving CO2 in seltzer on Pesach
The course also includes distillery visits, brewery insights, and real industry case studies with halachic analysis. Topics include barrel charring, flash pasteurization, aged spirits, wine cask absorption, the advantages of scale in brewing, identifying wine cask finishes, the double sale for Jewish-owned distilleries, and the glycerin question in tequila production.

Inside the Course

The masterclass brings together:
  • Distillery and brewery observations
  • Industry case studies
  • Clear halachic explanations
  • Practical guidance on common situations
The final session includes an informal walkthrough of a bar, showing how to apply course concepts to real bottles and scenarios.

Who This Course Is For

This masterclass is helpful for:
  • Mashgichim involved in certification decisions
  • Culinary professionals who manage kosher events
  • Individuals who want a deeper understanding of kosher liquor

Certification

After completing all sessions, participants receive an official certificate and the designation of Master of Kosher Liquor.

Course Lessons

Rabbi Akiva Niehaus

Director of Kashrus Operations and Rabbinic Coordinator for the Liquor Industry, cRc

This course is presented by Rabbi Akiva Niehaus.   Rabbi Akiva Niehaus serves as the Director of Kashrus Operations at the Chicago Rabbinical Council. He also oversees the cRc’s Liquor Department as the Rabbinic Coordinator for the liquor industry, where he guides many of the halachic reviews related to spirits and alcoholic beverages.
Rabbi Niehaus is the author of Sherry Casks: A Halachic Perspective, a sefer that examines the halachic issues surrounding whiskey aged in wine casks. Rabbi Niehaus is a Certified Sake Professional and has written and presented on a wide range of kashrus topics connected to the production of liquor and other beverages.
He is known for his clear teaching style and for bringing practical halacha and real-world food-industry knowledge together in a way that benefits both professionals and consumers.