is an international educational body with a vision statement tasking the organization with “the advancement of the education and professional development in the science and technology of brewing, distilling, and related industries.” The IBD has over 4,000 members, approximately half of whom are based in the UK. Members are grouped into regional sections, four of which are in the UK: Great Northern, Southern, Midlands, and Scottish. There are an additional four international sections: Africa, Asia Pacific, Irish, and International (mainly based in North America). Membership classes range from Student through to Standard, Corporate, Master Brewer, and Fellowship levels.

The IBD originated as the “Laboratory Club” in London in 1886, when a group of talented scientific researchers in the fields of biology and chemistry agreed to meet and discuss scientific issues relating to malting and brewing. The Transactions of the Laboratory Club was published in that year and was subsequently retitled The Journal of the Institute of Brewing in 1890 (the same year the Laboratory Club became the Institute of Brewing) and which continues to publish papers on scientific research related to fermentation, beer quality, distilling, malting, and cereal sciences in four issues annually. In 2001 the Institute of Brewing merged with the International Brewers’ Guild, a long-established body representing mainly professional brewers in the UK, to form the Institute and Guild of Brewing (IGB). This body was superseded in 2005 by the IBD to reflect the increasing importance of the distilling industries in the activities of the Institute.

The IBD offers a range of examinations and qualifications in brewing, packaging, and distilling, ranging from the Fundamentals of Brewing and Packaging and of Distilling for nontechnical personnel, through General Certificates in Brewing, Packaging, or Distilling, to Diplomas in Brewing, Distilling, or Beverage Packaging. The ultimate accolade is the Master Brewer qualification, which assesses levels of competence and knowledge in the technical management of the beer production process. The IBD supports its members through a series of lectures, technical visits, seminars, and conferences worldwide as well as publishing the monthly Brewer and Distiller International magazine for all of its members.

See also brewing schools.