Find a Qualification
Award in Beer and Cellar Quality
- This qualification is applicable to candidates across the UK.
What is the BIIAB Award in Beer and Cellar Quality (ABCQ)?
Who is this qualification for?
What does the qualification cover?
What are the benefits of obtaining this qualification?
How long is the training course, where can I take it, and how much will it cost?
What does the assessment involve?
What is the BIIAB and what other qualifications are available?
Click here to find an approved centre near you
Click here for BII membership information
The BIIAB ABCQ is an award designed to help candidates ensure that their beer is consistently served in an optimum condition - which aims to increase sales and decrease wastage.
Who is this qualification for?
The BIIAB ABCQ can be used as a stand-alone qualification or as part of an induction programme. The Award is aimed at businesses and candidates required to handle and care for cask and/or keg beers - as well as anyone required to maintain a safe and hygienic cellar.
What does the qualification cover?
BIIAB ABCQ course content - Cask and Keg
Understanding Beer Products
- Define different types of beer and the business benefits of serving beer correctly
Maintaining hygiene in the bar
- Learn personal and food hygiene procedures relating to the bar
Glassware
- How to clean, maintain and store glassware
- Selecting the appropriate glassware for beer products
- How to operate and maintain glass-washing equipment
The Perfect Pint
- How to pour the perfect pint
- Identify and rectify dispense problems
- Know the in-glass service temperatures for various beers
- Learn how to clean beer lines
Maintaining a safe and effective cellar
- Learn how to receive, store and control stock
- Learn how to maintain a safe and hygienic cellar
Conditioning cask ale
- Learn how to manage and dispense cask ales
- Understand how to clean and maintain lines for cask products
Dispense Systems
- Know about the different types of cooling equipment
- Understand how dispense systems should be maintained
Bottled Beers
- Learn how to store and serve bottled beers.
Course Content – Keg
For businesses which do not offer cask beer products, there is a ‘keg only’ version of the test, which consists of 25 multiple-choice items and excludes material directly relating to caring for and serving cask conditioned products.
What are the benefits of obtaining this qualification?
On successful completion, candidates receive the BIIAB ABCQ, a national qualification awarded by the BIIAB. The BIIAB ABCQ can be used as a stand-alone qualification or as part of an induction programme.
- With over 23 years of experience, BIIAB is the market leader in developing and awarding qualifications for the licensed retail sector
- BIIAB has processed over 622,000 qualifications since 1994
- There are over 1,000 BIIAB Approved Training Centres which offer BIIAB qualifications throughout the UK
- BIIAB is part of the BII, the professional body for the licensed retail sector, which has the fastest growing professional membership of over 17,300 individuals Successful completion of this qualification entitles you to apply to join the BII
- BII and BIIAB offer support and qualifications at every stage of your career
"BIIAB’s greatest strength is that, unlike our competitors, it is not simply an Awarding Body. BIIAB is part of the BII, the thriving professional membership body for the Licensed Retail Sector. We are uniquely placed to provide a one-stop-shop for the industry - from a full portfolio of qualifications to support professionals through every stage of their career, to the additional support, status and benefits that BII membership offers.
We’re passionate about what we do and can guarantee that you’ll get the best service possible. Why go anywhere else?"
Cathie Smith, Director of BIIAB
How long is the training course, where can I take it, and how much will it cost?
The BIIAB ABCQ is designed to be run over one day - with guidance material to support this programme produced by BBPA. Courses are widely available at BIIAB approved centres (click here to find an approved centre near you) and are becoming available from BIIAB accredited tutors (to find an accredited tutor near you call 01276 684449.)
What does the assessment involve?
Practical assessment where tutors assess candidates' practical skills, during the day, followed by a 45-minute multiple-choice examination.
What is the BIIAB and what other qualifications are available?
BIIAB is the dedicated Awarding Body for the licensed retail sector, and nationally accredited by the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA).
BIIAB specialises in developing and awarding qualifications to support the licensed retail sector at all levels. BIIAB’s career path for licensed retailers ensures that training and qualifications are relevant for all job roles in the industry, from bar and retail staff through to advanced business managers.
The BIIAB portfolio includes qualifications for:
- staff development
- new licensed retail managers
- licensing
- management development.
For more information about any of the BIIAB qualifications, please contact the Qualifications Department on 01276 684449, visit www.biiab.org, or e-mail qualifications@bii.org
For more information about membership of the BII, please contact Membership Services on 01276 684449, visit www.bii.org, or e-mail membership@bii.org
