WSET Level 2 Award in Beer

The WSET 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 beer or hospitality 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.

The course is based around a five-week, six-module online programme with a recommendation of six hours study per week to cover the online activities and read the relevant chapters in the textbook. The course modules should be followed in sequential order during this five-week window. Regular access and participation in the online activities is essential for this mode of study.

The course prepares you for the qualification and they are guided by our WSET educator. The student can contact the educator any time for the duration of the scheduled course, should they have any questions. Each module includes a series of independent activities to help students understand the key ingredients of beer and how they are used to make different beer styles.

Students should be advised to taste a range of beers during their studies. A list of recommended tasting samples can be found in the Specification are available to purchase from our online store. You can post your tasting notes in the Online Classroom for review by the educator. Additional tastings may be included by us at our discretion.

For all WSET Level 2 Online Classroom courses, the textbook is provided to you within the online materials. A printed copy can be ordered from our online store.

For more information, please click on the below links:

• WSET Level 2 Beer Specification
• WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Beer® (SAT).
• WSET’s Level 2 Award in Beer Online Classroom Demo

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

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. How over 60 beer styles are produced and labelled and their typical characteristics.
   • Malt-driven lagers, malt-driven ales, hop-driven lagers, hop-driven ales, yeast-driven ales, mixed fermentation styles, other speciality beers

The course will be offered through WSET’s Online Classroom (interactive e-learning platform) where you complete the course at your own pace over five weeks. Course modules should take about 6 hours / week. Our expert staff will provide guidance to you during the course.

Examination will be remotely invigilated which you can take at the comfort of your home.

Examination must be taken after the finish date of the course.

The Oak Barrel will book your examination with WSET exam department at the advertised fee as usual. Please contact WSET.Education@OakBarrel.com.au to book your examinations.

Please be advised to schedule a minimum of one hour of private study before sitting any of the examinations.