Brad Beam
Enology Specialist
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Phone: 309.635.9463
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Course(s): VIN 210 - Introduction to Wine Microorganisms
Bradley Beam began his journey into the world of grapes and wine via horticulture, earning the BS degree from the University of Illinois and the MS degree from Southern Illinois University. Beam joined the University of Minnesota grape breeding program in 2001, providing processing and research support to the project, assisting with the development and release of wine grape cultivars such as ‘Marquette’ and ‘La Crescent’, and providing extension support to the developing Minnesota wine industry. He received the Award for Outstanding Performance from the College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences (COAFES) in 2005. Beam has served as enology specialist at the University of Illinois since 2006. His current duties include teaching an undergraduate-level introductory course on wine processing and sensory analysis, for which he has been named to the “List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students” each semester it has been offered. He is also the extension specialist for the Illinois wine industry, serving as the principle point of contact and conducting numerous site visits and workshops to help improve wine quality around the state. Additionally, his duties include organizing and presenting for the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association annual conference, and managing the annual Illinois State Fair Wine Competition.
