Merger for Beer Academy

The Beer Academy has been given a major boost following a tie up with the Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) that will lead to an amalgamation of the training activities of the two organisations.

It is hoped the move will lead to renewed interest in both the academy's courses and those offered by the IBD. Beer Academy chief executive George Philliskirk described the amalgamation as a "good fit". He said. "The IBD is an educational trust that mainly deals with technical training. What it lacked previously was consumer-based training for people from the hospitality industry."

Under the deal, the academy's courses will be merged with IBD's training and qualification activities. The merger will not alter the academy's aims of "developing beer education and appreciation for employees in the brewing, retailing and hospitality sectors as well as continuing to stimulate interest from consumers and the media."

Beer Academy chairman Rupert Thompson explained: "The Beer Academy has made enormous progress since its inception in 2003. At the time, we said that we would review progress after three years, and it is apparent that the next stage in the development of the education and appreciation of beer is best served by collaboration with like-minded industry bodies."

Philliskirk said the merger follows informal talks that have lasted over 12 months. He added: "There was a need for consolidation and this is a logical tie-up. Cask Marque will continue offering a sales and administrative service for the academy. It now means that all three organisations can work closely together."