Popular Brewing Industry Job Qualifications and Courses

No matter whether you’re looking to break into the brewing industry or you’re keen to increase your competitive edge as a candidate, there’s no getting away from the fact that having a top-notch, relevant qualification will help. While experience and personality are important when it comes to securing any position, adding a respected and if at all possible uncommon qualification to the melting pot of your assets can really help set you apart as a sought after candidate.

So if you’re looking to carve your niche in the brewing industry or to move up the brewing or distilling ladder at a rate of knots, where should you look for the most respected and most popular job qualifications and courses? In our view, that’s not too complicated. There are a few key institutions in Europe that are highly respected in this sector and well worthy of your attention. They include:

1. The International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. This is arguably one of the most well known brewing and distilling industry educational institutions in the UK and has a significant and impressive reputation globally. An institution that’s pretty much unique, the ICBD offers Honours and Masters degrees in Brewing and Distilling. Working closely with the drinks industry, the team at Heriot Watt has its finger firmly on the sector’s pulse when it comes to targeting their qualifications towards the needs of the market. Courses here are offered both on campus and on a distance-learning basis. Thanks to its longstanding service to the Brewing and Distilling sector, this institution is arguably one of the best of breed for anyone who’s serious about progressing.
2. Nottingham University. Focusing on post-grad brewing qualifications, the University of Nottingham has bases in the UK, China and Malaysia and offers a range of courses on both an on campus and distance-learning basis. With courses that range from brewing practices, right through to packaging, there are a variety of levels of study available, from MScs to PGCerts.
3. The Institute of Brewing & Distilling. This institute provides highly respected examinations to students worldwide. Ranging from entry level ‘Fundamentals’ and ‘General Certificate’ exams to the ultimate ‘Master Brewer’ qualification, the IBD offers brewing, distilling and packaging qualifications at a range of levels to appeal to all. There is no on campus study offered here, so in this instance, candidates do not attend the institute, they are self-study and the majority seem to be company supported. The institute boasts a global study reach with exams being sat all round the world at different times. Once again, for anyone serious about making their mark on the brewing or distilling industry, this institute is well worth considering.
4. The Technische Universitat Munchen, Weinstephan, Munich, offers Bachelor of Science (BSc), Master of Science (MSc), Diploma, Degree and PhD qualifications in a range of brewing and beverage subjects. That said the majority of their specialist courses are only available in German, so unless you speak pretty much fluent German, this mightn’t be an option for you.
5. The Versuchs- und Lehranstalt fuer Brauerei (VLB) in Berlin (Research and Teaching Institute for Brewing in Berlin) was founded in 1883 by innovators in the German brewing and malting industry. It provides research, training, education and service for the brewingindustry.With everything from craft brewing to university courses under one roof, as well as distance learning options, this organisation is extremely interesting for anyone who fancies a bit of time in Berlin or simply wants to bag themselves a highly respected brewing qualification.
6. Brewlab, which is based at the University of Sunderland offers a whole host of short-term courses that mainly focus on regional and craft brewers. A leading provider of training and analysis services for the international brewing industry, the courses on offer are appropriate for complete novices as well as industry leaders. Accredited by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, this is the perfect spot to spend a couple of weeks and get some really interesting and valuable specialist training.

When it comes to Brewing Qualifications, things like microbiological and engineering degrees all have their place in the industry and which you choose will depend to a large extend to where you are now and where you want to be at the end of your study. Like most things in life, the best advice on making sure you choose the right educational or training investment is to seek bespoke advice and support for your unique situation.