Workshop Beverage Technology for Brewers

Workshop: Beverage Technology for Brewers

The beverage industry is changing — and breweries are facing new opportunities. With its new English-language intensive course “Beverage Technology for Brewers,” VLB Berlin expands its training portfolio with a forward-looking program designed for brewing professionals from around the world. The first course will take place 16 to 27 November 2026, in Berlin. Course language is English

After years of strong growth, the craft beer segment has recently entered a phase of consolidation. At the same time, non-alcoholic and fermented beverages beyond traditional soft drinks are gaining significant market acceptance. This is exactly where the new VLB course “Beverage Technology for Brewers” comes in: it helps breweries broaden their technological expertise and develop innovative, market-ready beverages - using existing brewing and packaging equipment while opening up new creative possibilities.

Course outline

This ten-day, full-time course provides up-to-date knowledge in the professional production of soft drinks, alcohol-free and low-alcohol beverages, and mixed drinks. Covered products include soft drinks, alcopops, flavored beers, hard seltzers, shandies, and non-alcoholic fermented beverages such as kombucha and water kefir. Experienced industry experts deliver lectures that combine theory and practice, addressing key topics such as raw materials (water, sugars, flavors, and microorganisms), special fermentation processes, dosing and blending, filtration and filling, microbiological and hygiene management, sensory evaluation, and the fundamentals and challenges of quality control.

A key strength of the program is its strong hands-on focus. Participants work directly with modern production equipment in the VLB pilot brewery and laboratories, gaining practical experience in dosing, mixing, filling, and microbiological sampling. The full-time course is taught entirely in English and is designed as an intensive, highly interactive learning experience. To ensure maximum individual benefit, the number of participants is strictly limited.

Who should attend?

“Beverage Technology for Brewers” is aimed at experienced brewers and brewmasters from small, medium-sized, and large breweries who are involved in product development and production and want to expand their expertise in alternative beverage production. A solid background in beer brewing is required, as the traditional brewing process itself is not covered.

Topics covered in this course

Beverage types

Non alcoholic fermented beverages
Alcoholic mixed beverages (hard seltzer, hard tea, ...)
Wine and wine based beverages
Beermix beverages and shandies

Soft drinks: Production & Technology

Sugar technology & sweeteners
Water and water treatment
Aromas and aroma recovery
Enzymes to produce plant based functional drinks (oat, almonds,...)
Enzymes and finigs for the stabilization of soft drinks and other beverages
Dosing and mixing
Special utilities in soft drink production
Equipment platform synergy - How to leverage on existing equipment to extend your beverage portfolio
Aseptic filling and filling solutions for special beverages
Special aspects and solutions in filtration
Cleaning in Place (CIP), sterilization in place (SIP), special cleaning aspects

Practical Work in our brewing and beverage pilot plant

Filling, Dosing, Mixing of soft drinks

Quality Aspects

Chemical technical analyses for soft drinks
Sensory analysis of soft drinks

Microbiological challenges in soft drink production

Microbiological sampling
Special micro organism
Laboratory work

The course fee is €2,400 plus VAT. A non-refundable deposit of €500 is due upon acceptance into the program.

With “Beverage Technology for Brewers,” VLB Berlin once again demonstrates its commitment to high-level, practice-oriented, and internationally focused professional education—supporting breweries worldwide as they explore new beverage categories and future markets.

Next course: 16-27 November 2026