StiBON Bieropleidingen

What StiBON Bieropleidingen does

StiBON Bieropleidingen BV is a Dutch beer education provider founded in 2009, headquartered in Den Haag with a postal address in Haarlem and an exam foundation (Stichting Bieropleidingen Nederland) registered in Vleuten. The company delivers a three-tier certification pathway: StiBON Bierambassadeur Niveau 1 (six lessons plus exam, €696.69 ex VAT), Bierambassadeur Niveau 2 (twelve lessons plus exam, €1,549.59 ex VAT), and the Diplom Internationaal Biersommelier at Level 3, delivered in partnership with Doemens Academy in Gräfelfing, Germany (up to €1,090 in 2027). Complementary offerings include a vocational MBO-4 brewing diploma (BBL trajectory) with Lentiz Onderwijsgroep, a five-day Bier en Spijs specialization with Academie voor Gastronomie, and a StiBON-Sterk spirits course launched in 2026. The StiBONline blended learning platform, launched in 2026, combines three e-learning theory blocks with three in-person practical sessions and a live online tasting session.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer enrollment model with self-serve registration via stibon.nl, supplemented by corporate in-house training capped at 20 participants per session and channel delivery in Belgium through the BeComev partnership. Revenue is generated primarily through course tuition (covering study materials, tasting samples, and examination) and separate exam fees (€344 for Level 1 exam-only, €115 for retakes). The customer base spans brewers and brewing-industry professionals, hospitality (horeca) staff, wholesale and retail buyers, and hobby beer enthusiasts — a horizontal segmentation approach. The StiBA alumni network, free for two years post-completion, provides recurring engagement via quarterly newsletters, masterclasses, and event discounts. Operational venues span major Dutch cities (Den Haag, Amsterdam, Breda, Utrecht, Gulpen, Apeldoorn) plus Brussels, with a 18-person team and cumulative alumni of 2,500+ ambassadors and 500+ sommeliers since inception.

Name

StiBON Bieropleidingen

Legal name

StiBON Bieropleidingen BV

Website

https://stibon.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

StiBON Bieropleidingen is a Dutch beer education provider founded in 2009 offering a three-level certification pathway (Bierambassadeur 1, 2, and International Biersommelier) for hospitality, retail, brewing, and hobbyist audiences, with courses delivered across multiple Dutch cities and Brussels via blended and in-person formats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Beer Education & Training

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Bar & Beverage (Bartending/Mixology/Coffee/Tea) (EDAOAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beverage & Mixology (Coffee, Tea, Wine, Cocktails) (EDAAAGAH), Beverage Craft Classes (Coffee, Tea, Mixology, Wine/Beer Education) (THAJAKAF), Cocktail Experiences (Mixology Classes, Cocktail Tours) (THAJAGAG)

Keywords

• Beer education programs
• Professional brewing training
• Beer sommelier certification
• Hospitality beverage training
• Spirits education courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Den Haag

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Tuition Fees: Primary revenue from course enrollment fees covering study materials, tasting samples during practical sessions, and examination costs. Tiered pricing by level: Level 1 courses at €696.69 ex VAT, Level 2 at €1,549.59 ex VAT, Level 3 at up to €1,090.
2. Examination Fees: Separate exam-only enrollment for Level 1 at €344 ex VAT (includes textbook). Retake exams at €115 ex VAT per component.
3. Corporate Training: Inhouse company training programs tailored to organizational needs, maximum 20 participants per session.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

StiBON Bieropleidingen provides independent, multi-level beer and spirits education across the Netherlands and Belgium. The core portfolio includes a three-tier certification path (Beer Ambassador Level 1, Level 2, and International Beer Sommelier Level 3 delivered with Doemens Academy), a vocational MBO-4 brewing program with Lentiz, a spirits (StiBON-Sterk) course, a beer-and-food specialization, masterclasses, and the new StiBONline blended e-learning format. Courses combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical tasting sessions and standardized examinations administered by Stichting Bieropleidingen Nederland.

Product overview

StiBON Bieropleidingen is the leading Dutch beer education provider founded in 2009, offering a multi-level certification program. The core portfolio includes: StiBON Bierambassadeur 1 (foundation), StiBON Bierambassadeur 2 (intermediate), and StiBON Diplom Internationaal Biersommelier Level 3 (advanced, delivered with Doemens Academy in Germany). Supporting products include: Brouwopleiding (vocational brewing MBO-4, in partnership with Lentiz), StiBON-Sterk (grain-based spirits education), and StiBONline (blended online learning platform combining e-learning with in-person practicals). Additional offerings encompass Bier en Spijs specialization, masterclasses, and Brussels-based courses, plus the StiBA alumni network. The company operates independently from breweries and suppliers, providing both theoretical knowledge and hands-on tasting experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• StiBON Bierambassadeur 1 Entry-level beer education course consisting of six lessons plus exam, covering beer types, ingredients, brewing process, serving, and beer-and-food pairing. Designed for hospitality, wholesale/retail staff and hobbyists seeking foundational product knowledge.
• StiBON Bierambassadeur 2 Intermediate-level course (12 lessons plus exam) providing deeper understanding of beer types, gastronomic applications, and tasting/description skills. Prerequisite: passing the Bierambassadeur 1 exam.
• StiBON Diplom Internationaal Biersommelier (Level 3) Highest-level two-day intensive specialization delivered in partnership with Doemens Academy in Gräfelfing, Germany, leading to the internationally recognized 'Diplom Biersommelier' title. Conducted in English with certification exam.
• Brouwopleiding (MBO-4 Bierbrouwen) Two-year vocational brewing education at MBO Level 4 in BBL (work-based learning) format, developed with Lentiz Onderwijsgroep, CRAFT, and Nederlandse Brouwers. Four days per week internship plus one day of weekly classes covering brewing from raw materials to finished product.
• StiBON-Sterk (Niveau 1) Spirits education course covering grain-based distilled beverages including jenever, whisky, gin, vodka, and grain spirits. Six evening lessons of four hours each, with optional certification exam.
• StiBONline (Blended Opleiding Bierambassadeur 1) Blended learning format for the Level 1 Beer Ambassador course combining three e-learning theory blocks, three in-person practical lessons, and one online live tasting session. Launched in Amsterdam and Breda to reduce participant travel time.
• Bier en Spijs Specialisatie Five-day specialization in beer and food pairing delivered in partnership with the Academie voor Gastronomie at Echoput in Apeldoorn. Covers culinary applications of beer, comparison with wine, cooking with beer, and includes a hands-on cooking session.
• Masterclasses & Specialisaties Periodically offered masterclasses on specialized beer topics such as aged beers (Gerijpte bieren) and table beer (Tafelbier), and other craft beer specializations.
• StiBON Bierambassadeur 1 Brussel Level 1 beer ambassador course delivered in Brussels, Belgium, with course materials adapted to the Belgian context and a 100% Belgian teaching corps. Organized in partnership with BeComev.
• Corporate Inhouse Training Customized inhouse beer training programs delivered at company locations or StiBON venues for business clients, with a maximum of 20 participants per session.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,500+ beer ambassadors trained since 2009
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Doemens Academy GmbH (World Brewing Academy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Doemens Academy in Gräfelfing, Germany (formerly BierKulturHaus in Obertrum) for Level 3 International Beer Sommelier certification. StiBON students who pass Level 2 can complete the internationally recognized 'Diplom Biersommelier' certification through Doemens. Lessons in English, exam on Friday, with costs up to €1,090 (2027) excluding travel.
• Academie voor GastronomiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint collaboration with Academie voor Gastronomie for the five-day Bier & Spijs specialization course. Classes held at Echoput in Apeldoorn with renowned chefs and sommeliers including Hubert Hecker (two Michelin stars), Peter Klosse, and others. Course fee €825 excl. VAT.
• Lentiz OnderwijsgroepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Lentiz Onderwijsgroep to deliver the only official Dutch MBO-4 brewing education (BBL trajectory). Two-year program with four days practical training and one day classes weekly. Developed with CRAFT and Nederlandse Brouwers (Dutch Brewers association).
• BeComev (Belgium)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBelgian partner for StiBON Beer Ambassador Level 1 courses in Brussels. BeComev organizes courses with materials adapted to Belgian context and 100% Belgian instructor corps. Partners include Brussels Beer Challenge, Beer Experience, Bier Grand Cru. Dutch parent organization maintains quality standards.
• IJver (Amsterdam)minorOthersVenue partner for StiBONline practical lessons in Amsterdam (lessons 1 and 3).
• Big Belly Bar (Breda)minorOthersVenue partner for StiBONline practical lessons in Breda (lessons 1 and 3).
• De Bierkantine (Utrecht)minorOthersPrimary venue for Utrecht Level 2 course lessons.
• Gulpener Brouwlokaal (Gulpen)minorOthersVenue for Level 1 and Level 2 courses including the brewing practical lesson.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Doemens Academy: German brewing and beverage academy that delivers StiBON's Level 3 Biersommelier certification in partnership; directly comparable as a structured beer and beverage education provider in the DACH region.
• VLB Berlin: Berlin-based research and training institute for brewing and beverage industries offering certified courses for brewers; comparable to StiBON's vocational brewing curriculum and broader beverage training.
• Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD): UK-headquartered international body offering brewing and distilling qualifications (e.g., General Certificate in Brewing); directly comparable as a globally recognized vocational beer production education provider.
• Cicerone Certification Program: US-based globally recognized multi-tier beer certification (Certified Beer Server through Master Cicerone); the most established international beer credential program and a direct substitute for hospitality/retail beer training.
• Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP): International beer evaluation and judging certification organization offering structured tasting and style-knowledge exams; comparable to StiBON's tasting and beer-knowledge curriculum across multiple tiers.
• Beer Academy (UK): UK-based structured beer education provider offering foundation, intermediate, and advanced courses plus a Certified Beer Sommelier qualification; directly comparable as a multi-tier national beer education program.
• Siebel Institute of Technology: Long-established brewing school (Chicago/Düsseldorf/Munich) offering diploma-level brewing education; directly comparable as a vocational MBO/degree-equivalent brewing program competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET): London-headquartered global provider of tiered wine and spirits qualifications with broad international reach; relevant comparable for methodology, multi-tier structure, and StiBON-Sterk spirits curriculum, though it spans a much broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/StiBONbieropleidingen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stibon-bieropleiding
• Instagraminstagram.com/stibon_bieropleiding

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about StiBON Bieropleidingen