For a long time, beer was seen as a simple thirst-quencher — something casual, served at the bar, with little ceremony.
But times have changed.
The craft beer boom, the explosion of styles, the rise of beer and food pairings…
Today, beer deserves the same respect as wine or spirits.
And yet, until recently, there weren’t many training programs that offered a structured, internationally recognized, and professional approach to beer education.
That’s where the WSET in Beer comes in.
After establishing itself as the global reference for wine, spirits, and sake certifications, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust launched its beer qualification in 2023 — designed to develop not just your palate, but also your technical knowledge and ability to communicate confidently about beer.
At Weeno, we’re proud to be one of the first schools in France to offer this new program.
Whether you’re a curious beginner, a passionate homebrewer, or a seasoned professional, the WSET in Beer is a game-changer — one that will transform how you taste, talk about, and work with beer.
1. What Is the WSET in Beer?
An internationally recognized, structured, and accessible certification
The WSET in Beer is a globally respected qualification that teaches you how to:
- Identify and accurately describe a wide range of beer styles (lagers, ales, IPAs, stouts, sours, and more)
- Understand beer ingredients and production methods — from mashing to fermentation
- Assess sensory qualities like aroma, flavor, and texture
- Analyze beer quality and aging potential
- Master professional vocabulary to describe, recommend, and serve beer confidently
- Build a rich and precise sensory vocabulary
- Taste beer using a structured, step-by-step approach
- Use the Systematic Approach to Tasting® (SAT) — a reliable, repeatable method used by professionals worldwide
The program was developed by WSET experts, in collaboration with the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)and seasoned brewers from around the world.
The result? A neutral, rigorous, and globally relevant curriculum that meets the needs of both beer enthusiasts and industry professionals.
2. Why Take the WSET in Beer?
Here are the main benefits of this course:
- Expand your general knowledge of beer: Dive into the rich history, styles, and cultures behind one of the world’s oldest beverages.
- Learn to taste and describe beer with accuracy: Develop a professional tasting technique and the confidence to put words to what you’re sensing.
- Master the fundamentals of ingredients, production, aging, storage, and service: Understand how every step — from barley to bottle — impacts the final beer.
- Make smart food and beer pairing suggestions: Learn to combine flavors and textures to enhance the drinking and dining experience.
- Earn a valuable, globally recognized certification: Boost your CV or support your career plans with an international qualification.
Get the tools to grow your passion or career: Whether you’re a curious enthusiast or already in the industry, this course helps you level up — and get more meaning (and joy) out of every beer you drink.
3. Who Is the WSET in Beer For?
The WSET in Beer is open to everyone — no prior knowledge is needed for Level 1. However, it’s recommended to complete Level 1 before moving on to Level 2.
For the curious and passionate beer lovers
Do you enjoy trying new beer styles? Do you find yourself hesitating between a bold, hoppy IPA and a funky gueuze at your local craft bar?
The WSET in Beer helps you make sense of what you’re tasting — without unnecessary jargon or pretentiousness.
This certification will help you:
- navigate the hundreds of beer styles available on the market,
- recognize and define your personal preferences (and other people’s too!),
- impress your friends with unexpected beer and food pairings,
- refine your palate and expand your sensory vocabulary.
It’s the perfect course for beer geeks, foodies, or anyone ready to deepen their passion with structure and clarity.
For hospitality and service professionals
Are you a sommelier, bartender, waiter, wine merchant, or chef de rang?
In a world where beer is gaining prestige, being able to recommend a beer with the same confidence as a wine is a real asset.
With the WSET in Beer, you can:
- enhance your CV with a respected and in-demand qualification,
- recommend the right beer styles based on food or customer preferences,
- talk about beer clearly, credibly, and professionally,
- spot service or storage faults,
- and position yourself as a versatile expert in the eyes of clients or employers.
The training is quick, practical, and immediately applicable on the job — a real competitive edge in a fast-evolving industry.
For business owners and entrepreneurs
Running a wine shop, gourmet grocery, craft bar, or restaurant? Thinking of launching a beer-focused concept or expanding your current selection?
The WSET in Beer gives you a solid, international framework to:
- choose the right suppliers with confidence,
- build a curated, high-quality beer list,
- train your staff to speak about beer like pros,
- and guide your customers with clarity and authority.
In today’s booming craft beer market, proper training helps you distinguish between trendy labels and truly exceptional brews.
4. How Does the WSET in Beer Course Work?
The WSET in Beer is designed to be accessible, well-structured, and engaging — whether you’re a beginner or an advanced enthusiast.
A clear, step-by-step approach to beer education
Level 1: The perfect introduction (and already very complete)
The WSET Level 1 Award in Beer is a one-day intensive course (about 6 hours) that gives you a solid foundation — even if you’re starting from scratch.
In this course, you’ll learn to:
- Identify the four key ingredients (malt, hops, yeast, water)
- Understand the beer-making process (brewing, fermentation, conditioning)
- Recognize the main beer families (lager, ale, IPA, stout, sour, etc.)
- Apply proper beer service and storage techniques
- Use a structured tasting method used worldwide
- Get an introduction to beer and food pairings
The final exam is a 30-question multiple-choice test, completed in 45 minutes. It’s accessible to anyone who completes the training day.
Level 2: The perfect step up for expanding your knowledge and appreciation
The WSET Level 2 Award in Beer is an intensive three-day course (around 16 hours) designed to deepen your technical understanding and sensory skills.
It is open to everyone, though completing Level 1 first is strongly recommended for beginners.
It’s also advised to dedicate a minimum of 11 hours to reading, note-taking, and reviewing the study materials before the course begins.
You’ll learn to:
- Understand how each ingredient is processed and how it influences beer style (malts and adjuncts, hop varieties, yeast strains, bacteria, water profiles)
- Analyze how brewing methods impact style and quality (brewing, fermentation, equipment choices, conditioning)
- Explore 60 core beer styles — their production, labels, and regional characteristics
- Master best practices in service and storage (ideal conditions, aging, service temperatures, packaging, faults)
- Apply a global tasting method (Systematic Approach to Tasting®)
- Gain food and beer pairing basics
The final exam is a 50-question multiple-choice test (1 hour). You need at least 55% to pass. Merit is awarded for scores between 70–84%, and Distinction for 85% and above.
At the end of the course, you’ll earn an official WSET certificate, globally recognized across the drinks industry.
A structured tasting method: the SAT for beer
One of the WSET’s major strengths is its Systematic Approach to Tasting® (SAT) — adapted specifically for beer.
You’ll learn how to:
- Accurately describe a beer using a precise sensory vocabulary (appearance, aroma, palate, finish)
- Identify beer styles blind
- Detect common faults (oxidation, skunkiness, contamination)
- Compare different quality levels through guided tasting
Throughout the training, you’ll taste a carefully curated selection of beers — mainly craft and specialty brews:
- 16 beers at Level 1
- 40 beers at Level 2
Each sample is selected to illustrate key styles, ingredients, and production methods in the curriculum.
Study your WSET in Beer 100% online — at your own pace
Weeno offers fully online versions of the WSET Beer courses:
You’ll get 24/7 access to the platform, allowing you to learn on your schedule, wherever you are.
Your online classroom includes:
- Video lectures
- Quizzes and flashcards
- Study guides and summaries
- A dedicated online WSET tutor
- A global student forum (in English)
The online platform and content are available in English only.
The final exam is taken in person in Paris or Marseille.
No tasting kit is provided for the online version.
You’ll have access to the learning materials for a full year.
Funding your WSET in Beer training with CPF (France)
Choosing the online option helps reduce costs (no travel, accommodation, or food expenses). Even better: WSET in Beer courses at Weeno are eligible for CPF funding, through language certification programs like CLOE or LTE.
In this case, the course includes extra language workshops to improve your English, both spoken and written.
You’ll take an English test at the end, certifying your professional language skills from A1 to C2 (based on the CEFR framework).
5. Why Take the WSET in Beer Course? What Are the Career Opportunities?
The WSET in Beer isn’t just for hobbyists or casual tasting. It’s also a powerful professional springboard — especially in a fast-growing sector.
An internationally recognized certification
The WSET Beer qualifications are awarded by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the UK’s global leader in drinks education.
This means your certification is:
- Recognized in over 70 countries
- A valuable line on your CV — especially in the HoReCa sector (hotels, restaurants, cafés)
- Proof of structured and standardized knowledge — a key asset for employers and business partners
Career paths after the WSET Beer certification
In hospitality and bars:
- Improve customer advice and recommendations
- Build and manage a smart beer list
- Offer thoughtful beer and food pairings
In distribution and sales:
- Represent brands with confidence
- Explain beer styles and quality with authority
In beer tourism and events:
- Organize tastings, brewery visits, and beer-pairing workshops
- Run engaging themed events or educational experiences
In beer marketing and communication:
- Deepen your product knowledge for more authentic storytelling
- Develop content with credibility and impact
In retail and fine food shops:
- Curate a relevant, high-quality selection
- Build customer loyalty with expert recommendations
A strong foundation to go further
The WSET in Beer can also serve as a launchpad to more advanced training, such as:
- Other professional beer certifications
- Homebrewing or microbrewery courses
- Or even starting your own craft beer business
For passionate enthusiasts too!
Even if you’re not planning a career in beer, the WSET helps you:
- Get more enjoyment and insight from every tasting
- Move past clichés and spot truly quality beers
- Impress your friends with unexpected beer pairings — like beer with cheese or desserts!
6. Why Take the WSET in Beer Course with Weeno?
At Weeno, we specialize in WSET training — for wine, spirits, sake, and now beer — and we’re proud to offer:
- Outstanding success rates
- 100% pass rate in WSET Level 2 Wines
- 78% (theory) and 98% (tasting) success rates in WSET Level 3 Wines in 2024
- Personalized support and small groups
- Classes limited to 14 students max to ensure individual attention
- Access to exclusive learning materials, quizzes, and revision sheets
- Certified, experienced educators
- Learn from recognized industry professionals who combine expertise and passion
- Top-quality, carefully selected samples
- Mostly craft and artisanal beers, chosen for their educational value
- Exclusive educational resources
- Tasting sheets, flashcards, case studies — everything you need to reinforce your learning
- A clear, interactive teaching methodology
- We blend theory with hands-on practice, real-life examples, and interactive activities to help you apply what you learn immediately
- An inspiring setting — or the comfort of your home
- Take your course in Paris (9th), Marseille (7th) or fully online, with 24/7 access to content
- CPF funding options available
- Our bilingual or English-only WSET programs can be funded through France’s CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation), under the CLOE English certification
- You’ll find the direct CPF link on the course page at weenodrinksacademy.com
- And most importantly: a warm, passionate community
- You’ll join a group of beer lovers and professionals who share your curiosity — in a positive and motivating environment
What they say about Weeno’s WSET in Beer…
“The course helped me gain legitimacy, build a richer vocabulary (in both French and English!), and lead my tours with greater depth and confidence.
I’m even considering new career opportunities in the beer industry—something I thought I already knew well.
But the WSET Beer course opened my eyes to a whole new world: forgotten styles, diverse origins, surprising pairings. I learned how to taste, recognize, and explain—just like I did for wine and spirits.I was able to take every course from Réunion Island, at my own pace, while balancing family, work, and study.
The training materials were clear and the workbooks very practical. The online sessions really helped me structure my learning.Thanks to Weeno’s partnership with CLOE (a certified language training provider), I was also able to benefit from dual professional and language training, fully covered by my CPF funding. I validated both my tasting skills (WSET) and my professional English.
That part was incredibly useful in my job—I’ve enriched my vocabulary, improved my confidence when speaking, and feel much more legitimate in front of international visitors.In online courses, you can easily feel alone… but not with Weeno.
Pauline Bonfils and my online WSET instructor were always responsive, helpful, and kind.
I never felt like just another number—I felt genuinely supported from start to finish.If you’re passionate and eager to learn but lacking structure or professional credibility, these courses are made for you.
Even at a distance, the support is top-notch—and the results are real. Go for it!– Djameel Dengue
Ready to take the leap?
Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or a professional ready to boost your skills, Weeno’s WSET in Beer courses are the perfect way to deepen your knowledge, sharpen your tasting abilities, and get an internationally recognized certification.
👉 Book your spot for WSET in Beer today (in-person or online) at weenodrinksacademy.com
