Level 1 – Introduction to Distillation – Berne – 06.12.2025 – registration closes 28.11.2025

CHF 240.00

If you want to know how Gin, Absinth, Anis, Sambuca, Ouzo, Chinchón, Patxarán and other aromatised spirits are produced, this is the course for you!

We will be covering in practice, the various methods used to aromatise a spirit during the course of the day.

Saturday, the 6th of December 2025

Instruction, course materials and examination in the English language

from 08:15 Welcome
08:30 Introduction to the course and the learning outcomes
08:40 Distilation of alcohol in Switzerland – the law
09:00 Health and safety with regard to the production and consumption of alcohol in Switzerland
09:15 Distillation and the configuration of your distilling apparatus (column or pot still)
09:30 Categories of „Botanicals“ and approaches to aromatising a neutral spirit
09:40 First practical distilling exercise

  • The principles
10:00 The alcoholic base used for distillation

  • Choice of raw material and how appropriate for distilling
10:30 second practical exercise – distilling

  • Aromatising a distillate
  • Blending and sensory analysis
11:30 The type of still and its capabilities
12:00 Lunch break
14:00 Ingredient preparation
14:00 Methods for preparation
14:40
  • Tasting
15:10 Feedback and Questions
15:30 Examination
16:30 End of the course
  • Please create your profile and log in to reserve your place on this course.
  • You are required to complete the registration details, which include your date of birth so that we can complete the registration process as quickly as possible for you. N.B. We accept credit card payments through the SumUp system, but you can also pay by bank transfer

Financial assistance:

For all who are employed by, or are responsible for a restaurant, hotel, bar or night club in any of the following Cantons, there is a possibility of being subsidised for the course fee. The Cantons we currentyl have an agreement with are:

  • Fribourg
  • Geneva – it is possible to apply for a „grant or a loan“ from the Canton
  • Jura
  • Neuchâtel
  • Valais – ritzy further and continuing education

For managers and employees of a restaurant, bar, hotel or nightclub (subject to the L-GAV / CCNT) in a Canton that does not offer a subsidy for continuing education, we offer a 10% discount on the price of the course at our main premises and also in the Canton of Ticino. Please contact us to find out more.

For the Cantons with which we have an agreement, contact us and we will assist you in the process. We look forward to welcoming you to the next course.

Location:

The Beverage Institute

Bernapark 1

CH-3066 Stettlen

Train station „Deisswil“ , 14 Minutes with the S7 from the main train station in Berne, train every 15 Minutes.

8 vorrätig

Beschreibung

If you want to know how Gin, Absinth, Anis, Sambuca, Ouzo, Chinchón, Patxarán and other aromatised spirits are produced, this is the course for you!

We will be covering in practice, the various methods used to aromatise a spirit during the course of the day.

who should attend?

The introduction to distilling is a one-day course that provides a practical introduction to the principles of distilling. During the day, we will also be focusing on the process of aromatising spirits and the different methods available and how to apply them in practice. The main categories of botanicals used in the production of Gin and the differences in some of the ingredients according to where it has been grown or processed.

This course suitable for all who wish to gain a practical understanding of the distillation process and how spirits are made.

how will you benefit?

This course is ideal for all who are either interested in the production of spirits, or are employed in the bar, restaurant, hotel trade and for all who are employed in a commercial aspect for a merchant or a company importing spirits.

It will also be a viable introduction to the spirits industry for all who are interested in pursuing a career in the production of spirits.

Outline programme

  • an introduction to the distillation principles
  • temperature control in distillation and why is it important
  • legal aspects for distilling in Switzerland
  • base materials used to produce the base alcohol
  • flavourings and how to add them
  • health and safety with regard to the production and consumption of alcohol

Practical session – during the course of the day, you will learn about the main differences of distilling with a potstill and a column still as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages.

We also focus on the main „botanical“ categories used to aromatise Gin and the process of formulating a „recipe“ for aromatising a neutral base spirit.

This qualification includes a formative assessment where candidates must:

Successfully complete:

  • a multiple choice task of 30 questions

Included in the course price are: – the study material as well as the raw materials to be used in the practical approach to the course

Required prior learning for the course: – no prior knowledge is required, however, an advantage to have followed and successfully passed the WSET® Level 2 Award in Spirits qualification

(If you are not sure, contact us, so that we can help you choose the course level according to your needs and objectives)

Guided learning hours: – it is recommended that a candidate should allocate 1 hour of study in class. The course is designed so that no study time outside the class time is required.

Learning outcomes: – at the end of this course, the candidate should be able to:

  • show a general understanding of the principles of distillation
  • show an understanding of the distillation process
  • familiarity with the base ingredients used to produce alcohol which will then be concentrated to produce a spirit
  • show a familiarity with the legal aspects of the production of spirits in Switzerland
  • understand the importance of health and safety with regard to the consumption of spirits