As the weather warms up and beer season begins, taproom patios are reopening, grills are firing up, and pints are hitting tables across North America.
With American Craft Beer Week (12–18 May 2025) kicking off today, there’s no better time to get curious about what’s in your glass – and how much you really know about it.
“There’s never been a more exciting time to learn about beer in order to better appreciate the creativity and innovation in American craft brewing, which continues to inspire.”
- Mirella Amato, Master Cicerone® and WSET Beer Educator
Beer education is on the rise, with more people choosing to build proper knowledge around ingredients, styles and tasting technique. Whether you're in the drinks trade or just curious to understand beer on a deeper level, structured learning brings clarity, confidence and a more rewarding experience.
WSET beer qualifications are now available in 11 US states and 3 Canadian provinces - a reflection of the growing appetite for structured, high-quality beer education across North America.
Where to study beer in the USA & Canada
Whether you’re looking to study in person or online, here are the course providers currently offering WSET beer courses:
USA – Western USA
- Wine & Spirit Archive – Tacoma, WA
- Spirited Grape – Issaquah, WA
- Napa Valley Wine Academy – Napa, CA
- Wine Education Institute – Thornton, CO
USA – South
- Vitis House – Raleigh, NC
- Southeastern Beverage Education – Nashville, TN
- The Independent Wine Education Center – New Orleans, LA
USA – Northeast & Midwest
- Commonwealth Wine School – Cambridge, MA
- New England Wine Academy – West Hartford, CT
- Johnson & Wales University – Providence, RI
- Palate Partners – Pittsburgh, PA
Palate Partners is celebrating American Craft Beer Week with a free beer tasting and educational event on Wednesday, 14 May, from 5:30–7:30pm. Hosted at their Liberty Avenue location, the evening includes a curated beer sampling, an introduction to WSET Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Beer, and the chance to connect with other beer enthusiasts and professionals. Attendees will also gain access to exclusive course discounts. To RSVP, email info@palatepartners.com.
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Women of the Vine and Spirits – Online (Nationally) (NY)
Women of the Vine & Spirits now offers WSET Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Beer online. To celebrate American Craft Beer Week 2025, they will host a public Live Chat on 15 May with Mirella Amato, Master Cicerone® and WSET’s Senior Business Development Consultant for Beer: WSET Beer Qualifications are Here – What You Need to Know. The session is open to all and offers a great opportunity to learn more about beer education at WSET.
Canada
- Coop Wine Spirits Beer – Calgary, AB
- Statera Academy – Vancouver, BC
- The Vendage Institute – Ottawa, ON
- George Brown College – Toronto, ON
Why choose WSET for beer education?
WSET’s beer qualifications are built to help you develop confidence, product knowledge and tasting technique - whether you’re just getting started or already working in the drinks trade.
You’ll learn from expert educators through interactive classes, structured tasting, and a globally respected approach to beer education. Our qualifications are ideal for professionals in retail, distribution, marketing and hospitality - as well as anyone who simply loves beer.
WSET currently offers two levels of beer qualifications:
- Level 1 Award in Beer: An ideal starting point for beginners, covering key styles, service and tasting technique.
- Level 2 Award in Beer: A more in-depth look at how beer is made, how flavours develop and how to analyse beer like a pro.
Ready to start your beer journey?
