WSET Level 2 Award in Beer

Curious how ingredients and techniques shape everything from light lagers to complex sour styles? WSET’s Level 2 Award in Beers takes you deeper into production, style, and quality, building clear, structured beer knowledge for confident learning. 

This immersive and interactive course will help you understand how key ingredients and production processes influence the flavour profile and quality of beer. Upon completion you’ll gain a recognised qualification and the skills to select, taste, and describe beers with confidence. 

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

WSET’s Level 2 Award in Beer focuses on how key ingredients and production processes influence the style and quality of beer. It will also teach you how to taste, describe, and evaluate the quality of beer. 

If you’re a drinks professional, you’ll be able to offer valuable guidance on selection and service to your colleagues and customers. If you’re a beer enthusiast, you’ll know exactly what to look for when choosing beers for any occasion. 

 

What's covered?

The main ingredients used in beer production, how they are processed, and their influence on the style of beer produced 

  • Malt and adjuncts, water, hops and other flavourings, yeast and bacteria 

 

How beer production influences the style and quality of beer 

  • Alcoholic fermentation process, brewing process, brewing equipment, beer production options, spontaneous and mixed culture fermentation options 

 

The key principles and processes involved in the storage and service of beer 

  • Ideal conditions for storage, packaging and shelf life, service temperatures, glassware, beer on tap, bottled beer, common faults, beer and food 

 

How over 60 beer styles are produced and labelled and their typical characteristics 

  • Malt-driven lagers and ales, hop-driven lagers and ales, yeast-driven ales, mixed fermentation styles, other speciality beers 

QUALIFICATION DELIVERY

Courses are available in-person or online through a network of WSET course providers. The Level 2 Award in Beer requires: 

  • 16 hours or guided learning with a WSET course provider
  • 11 hours of private study
  • A one-hour exam 

Our course providers can offer the course in a variety of formats, for example over consecutive days, weeks, or evenings. It can also be studied through WSET’s Online Classroom, an interactive e-learning platform where you complete the course at your own pace over five weeks, under the guidance of an expert educator. 

Available to study in these languages:

  • English

“This course was a real highlight of my year and some of the best three days well-spent in my beer career. I found the Systematic Approach to Tasting a very useful and relevant way of tasting beer. I now have fresh perspective in describing beer aromas and flavours and can talk about all areas of beer and brewing at a higher level than before.”

Natasha, Level 2 Award in Beer student

QUALIFICATION INFORMATION

Entry requirements

This qualification is suitable for beginners as well as those with some foundational beer knowledge. If you’re completely new to the subject we recommend starting with the Level 1 Award in Beer, though this is not a requirement. 

You must be of legal drinking age in the country where you are attending the course to participate in any alcohol tasting. However, this is not a barrier to successfully completing the qualification. 

Requirements may vary by course provider. 

 

Assessment

Your learning will be assessed by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in 60 minutes. Exams will be available both online and in-person. 

This qualification is graded: 

  • Pass: 55% - 69%
  • Pass with Merit: 70% - 84%
  • Pass with Distinction: 85% or more 

We’re 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 discuss this with your course provider. 

 

Course specification

For more information and full details on the course requirements, please download the Specification below:

 

When can you enrol?

Courses will be offered through an international network of approved course providers. 

To find your nearest course provider, head to our Where to Study page below.

 

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