The UK’s only nationally recognised cellar management qualification has undergone a major update to reflect current practices in cellar and bar management.
The Award in Beer and Cellar Quality (ABCQ) is a Level 2 qualification certificated by the British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body, and is strongly recommended for publicans, licensees, and bar and cellar managers.
Beer industry experts Cask Marque joined forces with the Skills and Education group to review the learning outcomes and update the assessment criteria for the one-day course.
Paul Nunny, Director at Cask Marque, said “We incorporated a Bar and Cellar Hygiene Audit into every Cask Marque assessment visit in 2023, and we identified that cellar equipment, practices and procedures had evolved considerably over the past few years. In response to this we created an updated Cellar and Bar Manual, endorsed by the BBPA, and then we turned our attention to the ABCQ content and assessment.”
Working alongside the Skills and Education Group, Cask Marque reassessed what learners need to know and understand about cellar and bar practices to improve beer quality, reduce wastage and increase yield.
The ABCQ course content includes best cellar practices, equipment maintenance, line cleaning, cask handling, glass care, perfect serve and trouble shooting. The course is a blend of classroom-based theory, practical activities in the cellar and bar, and interactive group exercises and videos.
Learner’s skills are assessed at the end of the course with a 30-question exam to test their knowledge and understanding of the subject.
Lindsey Male, Product Development Manager at the Skills and Education Group, said “the regulatory review of the BIIAB Level 2 Beer and Cellar (Cask and Keg) qualification ensures the content remains relevant, the assessment methodology remains appropriate and that it remains valid and fit for purpose”.
“We want to ensure that the content of the ABCQ course reflects ‘real life’ scenarios and that learners are fully competent and confident about the equipment in their cellar and their beer keeping skills. This is essential learning for anyone involved in handling beer” said Cask Marque.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About Cask Marque
Cask Marque is an independent company funded by brewers, pub groups and trade bodies with the aim of improving beer quality through an accreditation scheme and training. With over 25 years of experience training licensees and their staff how to look after beer in the cellar and on the bar, they are the leading training provider in the beer industry.
Contact Paul Nunny on 07768 614065
The ABCQ course is offered at venues nationwide.
Visit www.cask-marque.co.uk/training
The Cellar & Bar Manual is available to purchase from Cask Marque here: Cellar & Bar Manual: Driving Profit Through Quality – Cask Marque (cask-marque.co.uk)
About the Skills and Education Group
All our qualifications have been designed with the support of relevant stakeholders to ensure that they meet the needs of both learners and industries across the UK. This means that the qualifications are designed to give learners the skills needed to find employment, progress within education or enhance their skills in their current job role.
Product Development Manager: Lindsey Male 07487 883752
Visit www.skillsandeducationgroup.co.uk
Contact Paul Nunny on 07768 614065
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