WSET Level 2 in Beer

Learning Beer (Properly) with WSET Level 2

Whether you’re someone who enjoys the occasional pint, or you’ve found yourself regularly reaching for different styles to see what’s out there, beer has a way of quietly expanding beyond what you expect. Beer as a drinks "genre" is a huge and diverse place with vastly differing styles and types. One minute it’s a cold lager at the pub, the next you’re debating the merits of a hazy IPA versus something a little more malt-forward. And at some point, the thought does creep in — could you actually learn this? Not just drink it, but understand the sheer range of styles, where they come from, and why they taste the way they do?

After finishing the WSET Level 1 Award in Beer, I came away feeling like I finally understood the basic mechanics of what I was drinking and how it was made. Not just whether I liked something, but roughly where it sat in the wider world of beer. So signing up for Level 2 felt like the obvious next step — less about dipping a toe in, and more about properly getting under the surface.

What most don't appreciate when thinking of beer is just how much deeper that surface can and does go.

The level 2 course is a step up, and deals in depth with why beers are so different and varied. Where Level 1 gently introduces you to styles and terminology and the rudiments of how beer is made, this course asks you to start thinking about beer in a much more structured way. Not just what something tastes like, but why. Why does one lager feel crisp and clean while another leans soft and rounded? What role does yeast really play? How much of what you’re tasting comes from ingredients, and how much from process?

It’s the kind of shift that, once it clicks, is incredibly satisfying.

A slightly different crowd

One of the first things I noticed was that the room felt different this time around. Level 1 had a fairly even mix of curious drinkers and people looking for a fun, slightly educational day out. Level 2, on the other hand, had a clearer lean towards people working in the industry — bar managers, hospitality professionals, even a beer writer. Many had been sent on the course by their employers to begin to round out their understanding of their industry, but don't let that worry you, this course is equally as suitable for the non-industry person such as myself, firmly in the “enthusiastic homebrewer” camp. Even if you just enjoy drinking beer at the Pub or at home, this course is still suited to you despite the step up in learning.

That change in dynamic actually adds something to the experience. The conversations go a bit deeper, the questions a bit more specific, and you start to get a sense that this qualification isn’t just for interest — it’s something people are actively using to build on their careers. That said I must repeat the course would absolutely suit a regular beer drinker who loves their beer so much that they want to find out more... much more.

For my part, the motivation was slightly different. Most of what I know about beer has come from brewing at home and a fair amount of trial and error. I've made classic brewing mistakes and had learnt "on the fly" so to speak. It’s been hugely enjoyable, but also a little unstructured. Level 2 felt like an opportunity to put some proper framework around that knowledge — to move from instinct to understanding.

Learning how to taste (properly)

A big part of that framework comes from WSET’s "Systematic Approach to Tasting", or SAT. On paper, it sounds quite formal — almost clinical — but in practice it’s just a way of slowing down and paying attention. The SAT will guide you through a beer's taste step by step. Instead of jumping straight to whether you like a beer, you’re encouraged to take it step by step. First, what does it actually look like in the glass? Then, what aromas stand out and how boldly? Is it leaning towards malt, hops, yeast character? On the palate, how does it feel — light or full, sharp or soft? And only after that do you come back to the bigger question of quality. The course involves guided tastings of defined styles, and this really helps you to understand what you're tasting, and how to describe it. The language of describing a taste comes in here and what might seem a touch "flowery" suddenly begins to take on a truthful vibe.

Alongside all of this, there’s also a slightly less romantic, but equally useful, side to learning about beer — understanding when something isn’t quite right. Like any man-made product, beer can and does go wrong from time to time, whether that’s down to the brewing process, storage, or simply age. What Level 2 gives you is the ability to recognise those moments. Not just a vague sense that something feels “off”, but a clearer understanding of why — whether it’s a lack of freshness, an imbalance, or a fault that shouldn’t be there at all. It’s the kind of knowledge you don’t realise you need until you have it, and once you do, it’s very hard to ignore.

At first, it all feels slightly unnatural, like you’re overanalysing something that’s meant to be simple. But quite quickly it becomes second nature. You realise you’re not overthinking — you’re just noticing more.

And once you start noticing, it’s very hard to stop.

A noticeable step up

There’s no real way to soften this: Level 2 requires more work. Quite a lot more, in fact. The jump from Level 1 is significant, not just in the volume of content but in the level of understanding expected.

There’s more to take in, more terminology to get comfortable with, and a much broader range of styles to recognise and differentiate. It’s still enjoyable — very much so — but it’s no longer something you can breeze through without putting in a bit of time outside the classroom.

That said, it never tips into being overwhelming. The structure of the course helps, and everything builds in a way that makes sense. It just asks a little more of you in return.

Why it’s worth it

What you get back from that extra effort is a much clearer sense of how beer actually works. Not in an abstract way, but in a way that you can apply immediately — whether you’re choosing what to drink, talking about beer with a bit more confidence, or, in my case, going back to brewing with a better understanding of what I’m trying to achieve.

It’s also where beer starts to feel less like a collection of styles and more like a set of choices. Ingredients, process, technique — all of it shaping what ends up in your glass.

That shift alone makes the course worthwhile.

Who should consider it

Level 2 sits in an interesting middle ground. It’s clearly aimed at people who want to take beer a bit more seriously, whether professionally or personally. If you work in hospitality, it makes a lot of sense — it gives you both the knowledge and the language to talk about beer with authority. Equally, if you’re already interested and want to go beyond the basics, it’s a natural progression. If perhaps you're the type of beer drinker who has taken an interest in what hops might have been used in the beer you're about to try then this is exactly the kind of course that can give you an exponential step up in your appreciation.

What it probably isn’t is a casual introduction. If you’re completely new, Level 1 is still the better starting point. This feels more like the stage where curiosity turns into something a bit more intentional and properly structured. The course is available to study in a number of formats. These range from a 3 day intensive course, through a day release over a number of weeks to a purely online course. I took the 3 day intensive course as it suited my schedule best but the course is adaptable enough to suit almost all. It culminates in a 1 hour exam, which is properly invigilated and marked by a separate body for fairness. The results take a couple of weeks to come through but I was very pleased to receive an email saying that I had passed with distinction. Whilst I am proud of my achievement the interesting thing is that I have not backtracked at all from my coursework. Beer for me now is just as enjoyable to simply drink but has the added layer of understanding in every mouthful.

Final thoughts

If Level 1 is about building confidence, Level 2 is about building understanding.

It asks more of you, but it also gives more back. For me, it felt like finally putting structure around something I’ve been circling for years — taking all that slightly chaotic, empirical, self-taught knowledge and giving it some clarity.

More than anything, it’s deepened my enjoyment of beer. Being able to recognise what’s in the glass, understand how it got there, and properly articulate it has made the whole experience feel richer. It’s no longer just about drinking something you like, but appreciating it on a completely different level — and that, for me, has made beer even more enjoyable than it already was.