Beer Academy appoints new Director of Training

The Beer Academy in London, an educational body that was founded by a small group of beer enthusiasts in 2003 to help people understand, appreciate and enjoy beer, has appointed Alex Barlow as its Director of Training and Chief Examiner to replace George Philliskirk, who retires after nine years with the organisation.

Alex Barlow obtained a BSc in Life Sciences and Pharmacology form the University of Liverpool. He learned his brewing skills at Bass’ UK breweries, becoming the UK’ s youngest qualified Master Brewer. He became the first Englishman to manage a Czech brewery, with Staropramen in Prague, and developed two new beer brands whilst gaining a taste for European styles.

Returning to the UK, he was appointed Brand Manager at Coors Brewers with responsibility for Worthington’ s, Caffrey’ s, Stones and Sol. Alex regularly judges UK and International beer competitions and presents beer experience events in the UK, Europe and North America to consumer audiences, brewers and retailers. Alex has contributed to beer and food features in publications such as the Times, Imbibe and Craft Union. He is an honorary lecturer on Microbrewing at Sheffield University and is conducting flavour research projects in collaboration with the University of Nottingham.

Simon Jackson, Beer Academy Director: “Under George’ s stewardship the Beer Academy has established itself as one of the World’ s most respected providers of Beer Education and he was always going to be a very tough act to follow. I am delighted that Alex has agreed to take up the mantle. His career as a Master Brewer, brand manager for a number major beer brands and independent brewing consultant makes him uniquely qualified for the role.”