Building the talent to proof the future
Future-ready skills for a changing global industry
The future of brewing and distilling will depend on people as much as technology. As the sector responds to climate pressure, resource constraints, changing markets and evolving production demands, businesses will need a workforce with the technical expertise, sustainability mindset and leadership capability to adapt with confidence. The Centre for Advanced Brewing and Distilling will help build that talent pipeline, creating industry-aligned education and skills pathways for students, apprentices and professionals at every stage of their careers. Through undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, flexible online learning, work-based routes and industry collaboration, the Centre will help equip the next generation of brewers, distillers, scientists, innovators and leaders to protect quality, strengthen resilience and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Industry-aligned education at every level
The Centre will support education and skills development across multiple levels of study, helping industry access graduates and professionals who combine technical excellence with practical understanding of sustainability, innovation and commercial production.
Undergraduate Degree Programmes: The Foundation for Excellence
Heriot-Watt University’s renowned BSc Brewing and Distilling program will be embedded within the CABD, offering a practical, research-driven foundation for those entering the industry.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Hands-on Experience: Access to the CABD’s microbrewery, distillery, and quality control labs for real-world project work.
- Industry-Connected Learning: Collaboration with global beverage companies and exposure to live research projects.
- Sustainable Thinking: Courses emphasising circular economy principles, energy efficiency, and responsible production methods.
Graduate Outcomes
- Technical Brewing and Distilling Specialists
- Quality Control and Product Development Experts
- Sustainability Champions in the Global Beverage Industry
Postgraduate Degrees: Advancing Expertise and Leadership
Our MSc programmes in Brewing and Distilling will provide advanced technical education and specialised research opportunities for those seeking leadership roles or deeper technical expertise in the field.
Program Highlights
- Research-Led Learning: Students will engage directly with ongoing sustainability projects, such as waste reduction trials and circular economy strategies.
- Specialist Modules: Including fermentation science, sensory evaluation, and bioresource optimisation.
- Access to World-Class Equipment: Advanced labs and analytical suites for real-world experimentation and data analysis.
Impact Example
An MSc student working within the CABD’s Sensory Suite would be the ideal talent-partner to collaborate with a whisky producer on sustainable barrel aging techniques, developing real-world innovations while completing their studies.
Lifelong learning for a changing sector
Education shouldn’t be limited by geography. That’s why the CABD will leverage Heriot-Watt Online, offering flexible, remote learning opportunities for professionals worldwide seeking to deepen their knowledge of brewing, distilling, and sustainable production practices.
Programme Features
- 100% Online Delivery: Study from anywhere in the world.
- Self-Paced Learning: Designed for working professionals balancing careers with professional development.
- Cutting-Edge Content: Includes sustainability modules, innovation strategy, and technical production best practices.
Who This Serves
- Established industry professionals seeking to reskill or upskill.
- International learners unable to relocate for full-time study.
- Companies supporting employee development through continued education.
Graduate Apprenticeships: Shaping Industry-Ready Talent
Learning doesn’t end at the classroom door. That’s why the CABD will champion Graduate Apprenticeships, blending academic excellence with hands-on industry experience to equip the brewing and distilling workforce of tomorrow. Our GA's will gain practical skills and real-world insights while earning fully accredited Heriot-Watt degrees, ensuring they are ready to tackle the sector’s evolving challenges and drive sustainable transformation.
How It Works
- Work-Based Learning: Apprentices complete an accredited degree at Heriot-Watt while working full-time with a partner company.
- Hands-On Industry Projects: Coursework is directly tied to live industry challenges, encouraging apprentices to apply their learning immediately.
- Co-Designed Curriculum: Industry partners like Diageo work alongside our academic teams to ensure the learning experience reflects real-world skills gaps and evolving sector demands.
- Mentorship & Networking: Apprentices gain direct mentorship from senior leaders and technical specialists while being integrated into the Heriot-Watt professional network.
A Legacy of Pioneering Leadership
For more than a century, Heriot-Watt has helped shape brewing and distilling through scientific excellence, pioneering research and inclusive leadership. That legacy can be seen in figures such as Professor Anna Macleod, whose work helped advance brewing science, and the late Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, whose breakthroughs in cereal science transformed brewing and distilling knowledge while his lifelong commitment to human rights challenged the sector, and society more widely, to think differently about equity, representation and leadership. That same spirit continues today through leaders such as Professor Dawn Maskell, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Brewing and Distilling and a committed champion for women in beer and global opportunity in brewing and distilling education.
As we look to the future through the Centre for Advanced Brewing and Distilling, our ambition is clear: to build a more resilient, diverse and globally connected talent pipeline for the industry, ensuring the next generation of innovators and leaders is shaped by the broadest possible range of perspectives, experiences and ideas.
" My legacy is all of my children, students, my friends and relationships, and all the people who helped me. " Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, when previously asked about his legacy.
We unite heritage and innovation to protect what makes brewing and distilling distinctive.
We help industry build resilience with the skills, insight and confidence to test, adapt and invest.
We connect talent, research and partnership to create long-term growth and opportunity.
