The first course providers to offer its Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Beer were announced today.
From February 2024, WSET School London and TheDrinkSchool will be the first to offer in-person and online courses to trade professionals and people interested in expanding their knowledge of beer in the UK.
In addition, Molson Coors Beverage Company has been approved to train its own team members.
Gary Keller, wine & spirits expertise director at Molson Coors Beverage Company, said beer had never been more exciting than it is today.
He said it is great to see WSET replicating its courses on wines, spirits and sake with Level 1 and 2 Awards in Beer.
Two additional schools, W Wine School, based in Tel Aviv, Israel, and WineWise in Antwerp, Belgium, will be the first to offer courses in the EMEA region outside the UK.
Keller added: “Beer education is somewhat behind other segments such as wine and spirits, but WSET’s new courses provide an important step in increasing overall knowledge of this exciting and vibrant drink.
“From a customer point of view, this course will help staff increase their beer expertise and share that knowledge of ingredients, brewing processes, flavours and styles with customers.
“Drinkers are looking for better experiences across all categories and increased knowledge from courses such as this will help improve drinkers’ ability to appreciate and explore the world of beer.”
Beer education
WSET School London will run Level 1 Award in Beer courses from Friday 14 February and Level 2 Award in Beer courses from Monday 19 February.
Beer will be WSET’s fourth qualification subject stream, following wine, spirits and sake.
The courses have been created by WSET head of research & curriculum, beer, Sarah Hobday, and Mirella Amato, master cicerone and WSET senior business development manager for beer, in collaboration with industry experts.
Rachel Webster, WSET global APP development director, said: “2024 will be an exciting year for WSET as we expand into a new drinks category for the first time in 10 years.
“Harnessing our experience as leaders in global drinks education, our new Level 1 and 2 Awards in Beer will bring a unique and interactive approach to tasting and learning.
“We hope they will inspire both trade professionals and enthusiasts by equipping them with essential knowledge and skills.”
WSET Level 1 and 2 Awards in Beer will provide both trade professionals and beer enthusiasts with the product knowledge and tasting skills to become more beer confident.
The courses will explore the main types and styles of beer, key methods of production, food technique and food pairings.
Assessing quality
Using WSET’s trademarked Systematic Approach to Tasting, students will be equipped with a universal language to describe what they’re tasting and a framework for assessing quality.
WSET business development manager for beer, Natalya Watson, said: “WSET’s longstanding reputation and global reach will bring beer education to a bigger audience than ever before.
“There’s long been a gap in the UK market for in-person beer courses that teach tasting alongside theory.
“These new courses will introduce students to a broad range of beer styles and develop their palates so they can discuss and describe beers with confidence.”
To celebrate the launch of its new beer qualifications, WSET is running a series of bitesize webinars exploring the world of beer.
Taking place from 26 February to 1 March, the webinars will discuss what beer is made from, how it’s made, how to choose the right beer glass and how to taste beer.
