Refresh UK is calling on the beer industry and pub companies to support its efforts in establishing the UK's first Beer Academy.
The brewer of Wychwood and Brakspear brands and importer of Löwenbräu is trialling an educational beer course in conjunction with beer guru Mark Dorber of the White Horse pub in West London. If successful a national roll-out is planned.
Chief executive Rupert Thompson said: "The wine industry has done a wonderful job at demystifying wine while making the whole subject more interesting and inspirational. Wine's brand owners are all active 'educators' and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust underpins the trade's efforts and gives certification of wine knowledge.
"It is important that the brewing industry has a similar educational programme with the potential for future courses up to diploma standard and beyond."The Beer Academy will be run by international brewing lecturer Dr Lisa Bradley and master brewer Roger Putman, chairman of the Brewing Industry International Awards.
"This is not a Refresh-only initiative. We are very much looking for support as it's an idea that will only work if people look at it from an industry perspective rather than with a commercial agenda.
"It's in the interests of the entire industry to enhance the image of beer and to understand beer in the same way that they understand wine."
The course will include discussions on raw materials, the history of brewing, the brewing process and beer styles, with each session illustrated by the tasting of 10 beers from around the world. The final session will include an exam, for which certification is currently being sought.