A beginner-level qualification for anyone looking to learn the basics of beer. Through a short and interactive course, you’ll learn the foundations of beer production, styles, service and tasting.
Course information
The 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.
Upon completion you’ll gain a globally recognised qualification and the knowledge to help you explore the world of beer in greater depth.
Register your interest in beer courses at WSET School London
- The main ingredients used to make beer
- Malt (malted grains) 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)
Register your interest in beer courses at WSET School London
Your learning will be assessed by a closed-book exam of 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes.
WSET is committed to making our exams fair and accessible, and ensuring that no candidate is placed at a disadvantage. If you have any special requirements or need to request reasonable adjustments, please let us know.
This qualification is regulated by Ofqual.
Successful students will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin.
No prior beer knowledge is required, just enthusiasm!
All our classes are delivered in English therefore a good level of English is beneficial.
You must be at least 18 years old to enrol on any of our courses.
WSET’s approach focuses on learning through tasting, so you can experience the influence of ingredients, processes and other key factors on what’s in the glass.
You won’t be assessed on your tasting skills at Level 1, but tasting is an important part of the course. You'll learn the basics of how to taste and describe beer using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Beer.
Students studying in-person at WSET School London will taste around 14 beers across a range of styles.
Recommended tasting samples
- An introduction to tasting beer: Porter or stout, American pale ale or American IPA or hazy IPA, Weissbier
- Malt-driven styles: International pale lager or blonde ale, Munich dunkel or brown ale
- Hop-driven styles: Bitter or traditional Czech or German pilsner, American pale ale or American IPA or hazy IPA
- Yeast-driven styles: Tripel or dubbel, Saison or witbier
- Sour styles: Geuze or Berliner weisse
- Beer and food: Munich helles, Porter, Dubbel, American pale ale
Study options
We have four study options available for this course at WSET School London.
To register your interest in WSET beer courses, please complete this form and you’ll be the first to know when new dates are available to book.
- Where: WSET School London
- Duration: 9:00am-5:00pm on one day (includes exam)
- Private study: Not required. There are recapping and revision exercises throughout the day
- Samples: In-class beer samples included
- Includes: Your workbook, beer samples, six hours of tuition, your examination, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
- Who: Those who want to complete the course as quickly as possible
Browse day release courses
- Where: WSET School London
- Duration: 6:30-8:30pm once a week for three weeks (includes exam)
- Private study: 11 hours. This format gives you the most time to pre-read and recap topics between classes
- Samples: In-class beer samples included
- Includes: Your workbook, beer samples, six tasting glasses, 16 hours of tuition, access to WSET School London additional resources on WSET’s Online Classroom, your examination, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
- Who: Designed for those who are unable to study in the daytime. A popular choice for beer enthusiasts and trade professionals with demanding daytime jobs
Browse evening courses
- Where: WSET School London
- Duration: 10:30am-2:00pm over two consecutive Saturdays (includes exam)
- Private study: Not required, but this format gives you the flexibility to pre-read or recap topics between classes
- Samples: In-class beer samples included
- Includes: Your workbook, beer samples, six hours of tuition, your examination, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
- Who: A popular option for those wanting to explore the local area or those who are unable to study on weekdays
Browse Saturday courses
- Where: Online via WSET’s Online Classroom, with an online exam*
- Duration: Four weeks self-guided study to be completed around your schedule
- Private study: At least three hours a week
- Samples: Beers not included. We recommend you taste a minimum of seven beers and you‘ll get guidance on what styles to taste
- Includes: Access to WSET's Online Classroom for one year, a dedicated online tutor, your examination, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
- Enhanced features: Revision videos, flash cards and exam tips
- Who: Those who need a flexible study option, international students or those far away from our classroom centres
- Technology requirements: We recommend that you use a laptop or desktop device and have a reliable internet connection. To sit your examination online you will also need one additional smart device such as a smartphone or tablet
*More information on how online examinations work will be shared with you once you enrol. If you are a student in Mainland China or the UAE, it’s not possible for you to take the exam online due to technological restrictions.
Browse online coursesCourse dates
| Start date | Study option | Location | Price | Booking deadline | Availability | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 06 May 2024 | Online | Online (exam via Remote Invigilation) | £185 | Monday 29 Apr 2024 | 10+ | Book Now | |
| Friday 17 May 2024 | Day Release | WSET School London | £235 | Tuesday 30 Apr 2024 | 9 | Book Now | |
| Monday 20 May 2024 | Online | Online (exam via Remote Invigilation) | £185 | Monday 13 May 2024 | 10+ | Book Now | |
| Monday 03 Jun 2024 | Online | Online (exam via Remote Invigilation) | £185 | Monday 27 May 2024 | 10+ | Book Now | |
| Thursday 06 Jun 2024 | Evenings | WSET School London | £235 | Monday 27 May 2024 | 10+ | Book Now | |
| Monday 17 Jun 2024 | Online | Online (exam via Remote Invigilation) | £185 | Monday 10 Jun 2024 | 10+ | Book Now | |
| Monday 01 Jul 2024 | Online | Online (exam via Remote Invigilation) | £185 | Monday 24 Jun 2024 | 10+ | Book Now | |
| Monday 15 Jul 2024 | Online | Online (exam via Remote Invigilation) | £185 | Monday 08 Jul 2024 | 10+ | Book Now | |
| Monday 22 Jul 2024 | Day Release | WSET School London | £235 | Wednesday 03 Jul 2024 | 10 | Book Now | |
| Monday 29 Jul 2024 | Online | Online (exam via Remote Invigilation) | £185 | Monday 22 Jul 2024 | 10+ | Book Now |
This course was great! Solid information and really interesting. The course had a comfortable vibe, focused without being stressful and friendly without being sloppy. Lovely teachers!
Katie, Level 1 Award in Beer (pilot)