WSET Level 1 Award in Beer

Four glasses of beer with different hues. The text says WSET Level 1 Award in Beer, in-person.

All WSET textbooks and study guides are in an eBook format.

In-class

Course details

This beginner level beer course is for anyone interested in learning the basics about lagers, ales, sours and more. Through a short and interactive course, you’ll learn the foundations of beer production, styles, service, food pairing and tasting.

Prerequisite: None

WSET Level 1 Award in Beer provides a great introduction to the world of beer. Learning through sight, smell and taste, you'll become familiar with a range of beer styles and how they are made.

If you work with beer, you’ll be able to answer customer queries with confidence and provide helpful recommendations. If you’re learning for fun, you’ll feel inspired to explore new styles and know how to get the most out of every glass.

This 6-hour course provides a hands-on introduction to the world of beer in greater depth.

You'll learn:

  • The main ingredients used to make beer:
    • Malt and other sugar sources, water, hops, yeast
  • The main production steps used to make beer:
    • Malting, brewing
  • The principles of successful beer storage, service and food pairing
  • Beer storage and service: keeping beer fresh, glassware, pouring keg beer, opening and pouring bottled beer, service temperature
  • Common beer faults: staling, light strike (skunking), bacterial infection
  • Food and beer: Preferences, sensitivities, interactions, application and other considerations
  • The characteristics of a range of key beer styles
  • Malt-driven styles: American or international pale lager, Munich helles, Blonde ale, Munich dunkel, Brown ale, Porter and stout, Barley wine
  • Hop-driven styles: Traditional Czech or German pilsner, Bitter, American pale ale, American IPA, Hazy IPA
  • Yeast driven styles: Weissbier, Dubbel, Tripel, Saison, Witbier
  • Sour styles: Berliner weisse, Geuze (gueuze)

Upon successful completion of a 30-question multiple-choice exam you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin.

All WSET textbooks and study guides are in an eBook format.

The course will be delivered by IWEG's WSET Certified Educator Chris Robertson.

Upcoming courses

Mondays, May 13th and May 27th at 5:30 pm - 8:30pm. Exam on May 27th at 7:45pm.