The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the world’s largest global provider of wine, spirits and sake qualifications, is developing a suite of beer qualifications.
WSET already offers qualifications in three subject areas – wine, spirits and sake – and plans to add two beer qualifications (Levels 1 and 2) to its portfolio, both online and in the classroom.
While development of these new qualifications is still in the early stages, WSET is working in partnership with the Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) on the initiative.
WSET Level 1 and 2 Awards in Beer will be created with both trade professionals and consumer enthusiasts in mind.
The courses will explore the main types and styles of beer, key methods of production, tasting technique and food and beer pairing, following the same well-established principles as the Level 1 and 2 courses in wines and spirits.
Ian Harris, WSET CEO, said: “We are always assessing and investigating opportunities to grow our delivery in the global drinks industry.
“Beer is by far the single largest category in the industry and, with the growth of the craft beer movement, it has become increasingly diverse and complex, so it makes sense for us to bring our educational expertise to the sector.”
There are no official dates for the launch yet but as an initial step WSET Educator Sara Hobday DipWSET has been appointed head of product development – beer qualifications.
Sara said: “I am excited to have the opportunity to enrich global beer education through the development of WSET courses with IBD.
“We are constantly receiving enquiries about beer qualifications and many of our course providers have expressed an interest, so it’s great to be able to set the ball rolling.”
