CAPS - Atlantic
Text block
Beer, Spirits & Other Beverages Winter 2026
Beer, Spirits and Other Beverages
Beer
In an industry growing increasingly competitive, breweries, bars and restaurants need exemplary service in order to gain loyal, recurring customers. This service starts with you and the knowledge and service skills you have. Our Certified Beer Server class will equip you with both the knowledge and know-how to give expert beer service to your patrons while making sure you are maximizing your businesses profit margins through beer.
This two-day course will give an in-depth look at beer service including keeping and handling beer, glassware selection, proper pouring techniques as well as using and maintaining draft systems. As retail professionals we know the best way to sell beer is to know the styles and how to describe them effectively. Beer Styles and flavour evaluation will be taught from both a retail and judge point of view giving you the tools to sell your beer effectively and increase your margins. This course will give you the sales tools, beer knowledge and service skills to sell beer with confidence and elevate your customers experience.
Sprits and Other Beverages
Beverage alcohol culture has become much more diversified. In this section, students will learn about the major white spirits (gin, vodka, eau de vie, grappa, tequila, sake) of the world as well as the major brown spirits (scotch, whiskey, rye, rum, bourbon and brandies).
Students will learn various production methods, differentiation in quality products, how to taste spirits, and the general principles of mixing drinks and cocktails. Students will also learn in depth about the production, and various styles of beer. Matching of beer and food will also be addressed.
Course Cancellation and Refund Policy
Individuals registered for a CAPS‐AC course who decide not to proceed are asked to contact the Director of the Education Committee as soon as possible so their spot can be offered to the next person in line on the waitlist. Refunds can be provided to those who provide notice of cancellation up to 7 days before the course begins.
After the course has begun, no refunds will be provided for course withdrawals. Students are expected to review the syllabus and ensure there aren’t any conflicts with exam times. Supplemental exam dates will not be given.
To pass a course, students must achieve a minimum 70% overall final score, as well as a collective average of 70% on tasting components.
Students have four years to complete the program starting from when they start Sensory Development & Wine Styles.
Payment Plans
Students can sign up to a class and pay via a payment plan, typically 3 or 4 payments over the course of class. Please contact us directly for this option. Payment must be made in full before writing the final exam and no final mark will be given until payment is complete. If a student resigns from class with remaining payments they will be required to complete all payments within 30 days. We cannot carry over partial payments into future classes
2026 Dates
January 10 - Beer
January 11 - Beer
January 17 - Spirits
January 18 - Spirits
Exam Day: February 1st
Couldn't load pickup availability
Schedule
Schedule
Course Dates
Saturday January 10
- Beer - (10:00am-5:00pm)
Sunday January 11
- Beer - (12:00pm-5:00pm)
Saturday January 17
- Spirits - (10:00am - 5:00pm)
Sunday January 18
- Spirits - (12:00pm - 5:00pm)
EXAM DAY - Sunday February 1
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation Criteria
Course Evaluation:
Beer Theory Exam - 30%
Beer Tasting Exam - 10%
Spirits Theory Exam - 30%
Spirits Tasting Exam 10%
Research Paper 1 - 20%
Note 1: In compliance to CAPS national educational standards, participants must achieve a minimum of 70% to successfully pass this module.
Note 2: Participants must achieve a minimum of 70% (collectively) on the tasting components to successfully pass this module.
Note 3: Research projects will receive a 10% deduction per day accepted after deadline. After 5 days the research project will receive a mark of zero.
Note 4: Participants are expected to attend all examination days.
Note 5: Students have four years to complete the program starting from when they start Sensory Development & Wine Styles.
Location
Location
TBC

