The Institute of Beer (IOB) has opened its doors in response to the lack of structured accredited training in the increasingly professional industry. The brand-new company is the brainchild of some of Australia’s beer industry heavyweights, including Ian Kingham and David Phillips, and is dedicated to the education of both beer drinkers and professionals.

At IOB’s core offering is the first-ever licensing of the Cicerone range of beer-related qualifications, already hugely successful in the USA. The Certified Cirone status and Certified Beer Server status have become a pre-requisite for those wanting to work in the beer industry in the USA. IOB believes the same will happen in Australia.

Neal Cameron, Education Director for IOB, said, “It’s got the stage in the US where not having a Cicerone qualification to demonstrate your broad range of beer knowledge means you’re in the minority and won’t get the job! It’s not just about knowing beer, it’s knowing how to store it, serve it and most importantly assist your customer with making good choices in what has become a bewilderingly complex business. And if someone’s paying $10 for a schooner of beer, it’s unforgivable if that beer is not served in perfect condition; something that we’ve experienced far too often even in our best beer venues.”

In addition to the Certified Cicerone qualification, other courses include the entertaining and informative Fools Guide to Beer, Certified Beer Server status through Beersavvy eLearning, and Certified Beer Server One Day Training.

Courses and exams are set to begin in February 2017, open to both curious consumers and professionals seeking accreditation. Those interested in finding out more can visit www.theinstituteofbeer.com.