Education partnersChartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers

Technical knowledge at every career stage

It was established in 1886 as The Laboratory Club. Today it supports beverage professionals worldwide, from people learning the foundations to experienced practitioners.

Distilling qualifications

CIBD has a staged pathway for people working in technical and non-technical roles:

• Foundation in Distilling introduces the fundamentals of spirits production and is suitable for people who need a practical overview of the process.
• General Certificate in Distilling develops a firm grounding in the science and technology of distillation and good production practice.
• Diploma in Distilling provides advanced scientific and technical knowledge for distillers, technical managers and heads of smaller distilleries.
• Master Distiller recognises experienced professionals able to demonstrate and apply expertise at the highest level.

Distillers’ bursaries

The Distillers’ Charity funds CIBD bursaries to help committed people progress when cost may otherwise be a barrier.

Support currently includes:

• the General Certificate in Distilling, with exam entry, preparation sessions, mentoring and career advice; and
• the Diploma in Distilling, with support for the full three-year qualification, guided learning, mentoring and career development.

In 2025, four Diploma students and three General Certificate students received support. Eligibility and application requirements differ between the two qualifications and may change, so applicants should always use CIBD’s current bursary information.

The Business of Spirits

Bringing a product to market requires commercial understanding as well as technical knowledge. Since 2021, CIBD and The Distillers’ Company have delivered The Business of Spirits masterclass to current and former distilling candidates.

Company members use real examples to explore branding, markets, pricing, segmentation, finance and innovation. The masterclass also gives participants an opportunity to meet peers and develop their professional networks.