WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust), the global leader in drinks education, has today announced the first Australian course providers to offer its Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Beer.

From March 2024, these organisations will be the first to offer courses to trade professionals and people interested in expanding their knowledge of beer. The organisations include:

• Juice Wine Education & Training Consultants Adelaide, SA
• Bacchus Academy Melbourne, VIC
• Archive Academy, Geelong, VIC
• Queensland College of Wine Tourism, Stanthorpe, QLD
• Endeavour Group, Surry Hills, NSW has been approved to train its own team members.

Sarah Andrew, WSET Head APP Development, APAC said: “2024 will be an exciting year for WSET as we expand into a new drinks category for the first time in 10 years. We have identified Australia as the most important market to launch our WSET beer qualifications in the Asia Pacific region, based on production and consumer engagement. 

“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. Having completed both awards and the Educator Training Program for beer, I am excited that WSET is now able to share these courses with both trade professionals and enthusiasts through our network of course providers.”

Bringing with it over 50 years of educational experience, WSET’s new beer qualifications will set the global standard for tasting and education in the beer category. Beer will be WSET’s fourth qualification subject stream following wine, spirits and sake. The courses have been created by WSET’s Sara Hobday (Head of Research and Curriculum – Beer) and Mirella Amato (Master Cicerone and WSET Senior Business Development Manager for Beer), in collaboration with industry experts.

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. Launching online and in-person, the courses will explore the main types and styles of beer, key methods of production, tasting technique and food pairings. 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.

Jayne Lewis, WSET Business Development Manager, Beer, said: “WSET offers globally recognised qualifications and has an outstanding reputation. There is space in the Australian market for courses that offer a set syllabus, along with the joys of tasting beer in-person with other like minded individuals! The courses give people an opportunity to understand more about how beer is made and introduces them to a wide range of beer styles, helping them 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 following webinars will be available to watch:

• What is beer made from? Monday 26 February, 3pm GMT – Register here
• How is beer made? Wednesday 28 February, 7am GMT – Register here
• How to choose the right beer glass – Thursday 29 February, 4pm GMT – Register here
• How do you taste beer? Friday 1 March, 11am GMT – Register here

To learn more about WSET’s beer qualifications sign up to the newsletter or visit wsetglobal.com to find out more.