In 2024, WSET partnered with Women in Beer (WiB), a UK-based collective dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for women in the beer industry. Together, WSET and WiB launched an education and mentorship initiative to support women’s career progression through qualifications, role models, and community support.
About Women in Beer
Founded in 2018, WiB creates safe and inclusive spaces for women to explore and enjoy craft beer. The group organises the Women in Beer Festival (WiB Fest) and offers a mentorship programme connecting newcomers to experienced professionals across hospitality, brewing, marketing, and more.
Women in Beer is a UK collective supporting women in the beer industry.
The Women in Beer community connect over pints, brew days and tastings.
How the programme supports women
The mentorship programme pairs women starting out in their careers with more experienced women working in the industry. These mentors share their skills, advice, and connections and come from all sectors of the industry, including hospitality, brewing, marketing, and packaging.
The mentorship programme provides:
- Educational empowerment: Offering the WSET Level 1 Award in Beer to mentees to improve their product knowledge, tasting skills, and confidence
- Career development: Providing mentees with the tools and qualifications needed to advance their careers in the beer industry
- Networking opportunities: Facilitating connections between mentees and industry professionals through events and training sessions
- Representation: Promoting role models and increasing the visibility of women in the beer industry
- Support networks: Creating a supportive community where women can share experiences and advice
WSET’s role in the programme
WSET partnered with Women in Beer to run a custom Level 1 Award in Beer course at the Women in Beer Festival 2024. The course introduced mentees to 20 beer styles, covering how beer is made, how to taste it, and how to pair it with food. It gave participants the skills and confidence to talk about beer and understand what makes each style unique.
"We are extremely grateful to WSET for their support. Education and qualifications are key for women to gain confidence and access managerial roles in the beer industry. Offering WSET’s beer qualification to our mentees is an essential part of our programme."
Amelie Tassin, Founder of Women in Beer
Welcoming mentees to the Women in Beer Festival 2024
Mentees explored styles, colour, and clarity as part of the WSET Level 1 Award in Beer.
Outcomes and impact
- Successful completion: All mentees successfully completed the Level 1 Award in Beer
- Enhanced product knowledge: 100% of mentees reported improved understanding of beer styles, ingredients, and production after completing the course
- Improved tasting skills: All participants developed greater confidence in identifying beer characteristics through sight, smell, and taste
- Increased confidence: Mentees felt more empowered to speak about beer and represent their breweries at events
- Positive learning experience: Every mentee strongly agreed that the course was fun, engaging, and accessible
- Stronger industry connections: The programme fostered valuable networking opportunities, helping mentees build lasting relationships within the beer community
Mentee testimonials
"I learnt so much and feel a lot more confident to talk about our beer and represent the brewery at events."
“It's so valuable to be able to have a beer qualification to my name, cementing my knowledge within the field. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such a strong and passionate community of women in the beer industry.”
Women in Beer members on a brewery tour, connecting over shared experiences and a love of beer.
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