Beer Academy relaunched as the Beer & Cider Academy
The organisation has teamed up with the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) to provide a suite of training that will enable the wider drinks trade to think and talk about cider in the same way - and with as much passion and knowledge - as beer and wine.
Updates to the Beer & Cider Academy’s beer offerings include an upgraded Foundation Course, Advanced Course, and How to Judge Beer Course. The first Cider Foundation Training Course will take place this December in London and is available to book now.
Pivotal moment
Next year the organisation intends to run an Advanced Cider Course in January and a detailed How to Judge Cider Course.
Gabe Cook, cider expert and Beer & Cider Academy presenter, said: “This is a pivotal moment because, for the first time, those people working on the front line of advocating cider to consumers will have the tools to enable them to maximise this dialogue.
“The course will provide participants with a knowledge of styles and of cider-making processes, and a readily developed language to assist them in engaging with consumers. The final qualification will be Pommelier - cider's version of a Sommelier - for this is truly the standard that cider deserves and needs to reach.”
Breadth and diversity of cider
Cook added: “Beer and wine both have longstanding recognised styles and classifications consumers are now well versed in. This enables them to make informed choices about the types of drinks they enjoy.
“To provide something similar for cider is unique and will hopefully demonstrate the wonderful breadth and diversity of the global cider category.”
The Beer Academy was founded in 2003 by a small group of beer enthusiasts and quickly attracted support from brewers (large and small), beer retailers, trade associations and consumer groups. To date, more than 4,000 people have attended Academy courses delivered by a small number of experienced and knowledgeable tutors with a real passion for beer.