Beer Academy launches online course

London’s Beer Academy has launched its first online, entry-level course designed to give bar staff an understanding of the basics of beer, with fees starting from as little as £2.40 per person.

The Beer Steward qualification is made up of eight e-learning modules which candidates can work through at their own pace. and ties in with The Beer Academy’s in-class Foundation course. It has been launched by the organisation in response to a growing need for operators to equip front-of-house staff with practical beer knowledge early in their careers.

“Consumer interest in beer has never been stronger, which means that not only are pubs and bars stocking a more diverse range of beer styles and formats, but also that bar staff are increasingly ‘in at the deep end’, serving customers who already know a lot about beer”, said Alex Barlow, director of training at The Beer Academy.

“It was clear from our conversations with operators that they needed a way to get staff up to speed quickly, and e-learning is the solution. While anyone is welcome to take the Beer Steward qualification, it has been developed particularly with bar staff in mind, enabling operators to equip staff with beer knowledge and confidence quickly and conveniently.

“The course also provides a first rung on our ladder of qualifications, enabling staff who develop an interest to move on to our Foundation course and beyond. We look forward to the day when we celebrate our first Beer Steward going all the way to achieve our globally-respected Beer Sommelier qualification.”

The modules take participants through the origins of beer, the brewing process and beer styles, through to how to serve beer and engage with customers. It includes guidance on serving cask, keg and bottled beers, covering the full range of operators’ beer offer.

Each module is tested with a set of multiple choice questions, and candidates are emailed a printable certificate once they have passed all eight. Pubs, bars, restaurants and others wanting to train their staff can benefit from varying rates. For a fee of £42, one pub can train up to 10 members of staff.

The Beer Academy was founded in October 2003 and became an operating arm of The Institute of Brewing & Distilling in 2007.

For more information and to book courses click here.