Mohrenbrauerei and tourism schools launch first beer sommelier training for young people

Quality craftsmanship, practical knowledge and promotion of young talent: Mohrenbrauerei will start the first school-based beer sommelier training at GASCHT, Tourismusschulen Bludenz and Bezauer WirtschaftsSchulen from the 2023/2024 school year. Vorarlberg's beer market leader and the three tourism schools are helping students aged 16 and over to gain expertise in beer that is recognised throughout Europe. The participants learn everything they need to know about beer types, ingredients, production, serving, purchasing and tasting.

The Mohrenbrauerei is the most important beverage partner for Vorarlberg's hotels, restaurants and bars. The family-owned company supplies around 70,000 hectolitres of beer to the gastronomy sector every year, provides culinary variety with numerous creative beers and assumes responsibility for the region as an employer and apprentice trainer. Together with the GASCHT tourism school, the Bludenz tourism schools and the Bezau business schools, the brewery has now launched the first school-based beer sommelier training programme in the country. Starting in the 2023/2024 school year, students from the three schools will be able to complete a course at the Mohrenbrauerei to become a "Young Beer Sommelier". The special thing about it: Participation is possible from the age of 16 and the qualification, which is approved by the brewery association Bierland Österreich, is recognised throughout Europe.

"Mohrenbräu stands for the highest beer enjoyment, regional quality, traditional craftsmanship and innovative spirit. We want to pass on our knowledge and experience to young people and further deepen our close partnership with gastronomy and tourism businesses," explains Mohrenbrauerei managing director Thomas Pachole. Vorarlberg's market leader relies on long-standing cooperation with suppliers such as the Bentele hop farm in Tettnang, is part of the "mensch im tourismus" network and has been a partner of the Vorarlberg tourism schools for years.

"Knowledge arises in many places, which we connect to form a living network. With this forward-looking initiative, we are strengthening the successful cooperation between school and practice, gastronomy and the brewing trade. This ensures the quality of training and gives young people even more opportunities to develop," emphasises GASCHT director Nicole Okhowat-Lehner.

History, production and taste
The six-day course programme at the Mohren Brewery ranges from the history of beer to different types of beer, the appropriate accompaniment to food, dispensing technology and glassware to beer production during the brewing day. In addition, the aspiring beer specialists learn more about hop cultivation, harvesting and processing, get to know the commissioning, maintenance and care of dispensing systems as well as various cooling concepts and experience the variety of tastes of the beer universe during tastings.

"The programme combines theory and practice from the raw material to the finished product. The young people get insights into the brewing craft and the cooperation with the gastronomy and can immediately apply their learned knowledge in the service," reports Michael David. The head of quality management at the Mohren Brewery coordinates the teaching assignment. The course programme also includes guided tours of the Mohren Brewery's production rooms. The first courses will take place from the 2023/2024 school year.