The Next Round: What happens after you change your drinking?

Become an Alcohol-Free
Expert

Join the UK's leading alcohol-free training programme and become a trusted alcohol-free specialist. This online Academy gives you the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to work with alcohol-free drinks, whatever your role.

Applications close 24th August 2026

TRUSTED BY THE INDUSTRY

Why join the academy?

ALCOHOL-FREE IS ALREADY CHANGING RETAIL AND THE ON-TRADE

Consumer demand for quality alcohol-free drinks is growing rapidly. This Academy gives you the knowledge and confidence to become an expert in alcohol-free drinks. 

GET AHEAD OF THE TREND

Lead one of the fastest-growing drinks categories & future-proof your career.

BROADEN YOUR EXPERTISE

Learn how to taste, understand and sell alcohol-free drinks with authority.

NETWORK & JOIN OUR ALUMNI

Connect with like-minded professional and be part of a community raising standards.

What you will learn

SHIFTING BEHAVIOURS

Understand the trends changing the way people drink.

WHAT IS ALCOHOL-FREE?

Learn the terminology, regulations and category essentials.

HOW TO TASTE & JUDGE

Discover how to assess flavour, balance and quality.

Explaining ALCOHOL-FREE

Build the confidence to recommend and sell with authority.

 
DIFFERENT DRINK STYLES

Explore beers, wines, spirits, aperitifs, functional drinks and how they are made.

How it works

LEARN ONLINE

Self-guided learning
in your own time.

LIVE SESSIONS

Two Tuesday afternoons to share learning.

TASTE & LEARN

Meet producers and complete challenges.

A SHORT TEST

Simple, short, online assessment at the end

GRADUATE

Receive your Gold Pin

Applications close 24th August 2026

WHEN?

The course runs over four weeks and includes two live Tuesday afternoon sessions, starting on 1st September with live sessions on Tuesday 8th and 22nd September starting at 4pm.

Live sessions are delivered online and will be 60 minutes long.

MEET YOUR TRAINERS

Laura Willoughby MBE

Laura is one of Drinks Retailing’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Drink and one of CODE’s 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality, while the Club Soda Tasting Room won Independent Retailer of the Year 2023 and Specialist Retailer of the Year 2025. She judges across major drinks awards, from IWSC to WAFA, and serves as a trustee for The Drinks Trust.

Josh Kelly

Josh Kelly, the Brand Relationship Manager at Club Soda, is a senior judge for WAFA and a judge for IWSC, London Wine Compeition and Concourse Mondial De Bruxelles. He is a specialist in no & low wine, and has led training for Diageo, Moët Hennessy, Red Bull, and 67 Pall Mall. 

LEARN FROM THE LEADERS SHAPING THE FUTURE

READY TO BECOME AN ALCOHOL-FREE SPECIALISTS?

Spaces are limited – secure your place and get ready to taste, learn and lead.

Applications close 24th August 2026

Terms and conditions:

These Terms and Conditions outline the agreement between the provider (“we”, “us”) and the client (“you”). By enrolling in our training programme, you agree to the following terms:

1. Payment Terms

  • Full payment is required prior to the commencement of the course unless otherwise agreed in writing.
  • Payment must be made within the timeline stated on the invoice to secure your booking.
  • Failure to make payment by the due date may result in the cancellation of your booking.

2. Cancellations

  • Cancellations made 14 days or more before the course start date will receive a full refund, minus an administrative fee of £50.
  • Cancellations made between 8-13 days before the start date will incur a charge of 50% of the course fee.
  • Cancellations made 7 days or less before the start date will not be eligible for a refund.
  • All cancellations must be submitted in writing to jussi@joinclubsoda.com.

3. Transfers

  • You may request to transfer your booking to a future course date, subject to availability.
  • Transfer requests made 15 days or more before the original start date will not incur additional charges.
  • Transfer requests made 14 days or less before the course start date may incur an administrative fee of £50.
  • Transfers must be confirmed in writing.

4. Substitutions

  • If you are unable to attend, a substitute participant may take your place at no additional cost, provided you notify us in writing at least 7 days before the course start date.
  • Substitutions made less than 7 days before the start date may be subject to an administrative fee.

5. Programme Changes

  • We reserve the right to make changes to the course content, format, or schedule, including rescheduling or cancelling a course, where necessary.
  • In the event of a cancellation by us, you will receive a full refund or the option to transfer to a future course.

6. Liability

  • We are not responsible for any travel, accommodation, or other costs incurred by participants in the event of a course cancellation or rescheduling.
  • Our liability is limited to the refund of the course fee paid.

7. Intellectual Property

  • All training materials provided during the course are protected by copyright.
  • You are not permitted to copy, distribute, or share any materials without prior written consent.

8. Data Protection

  • Any personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Your data will not be shared with third parties without your consent.

9. Attendance

  • Participants are expected to attend the full duration of the course. Failure to attend any part of the course without prior notification will not entitle you to a refund or transfer.
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10% off your first order

Join Club Soda for 10% off your first order of drinks for UK delivery. Plus get our latest news and special offers for members to choose better drinks, change your drinking and connect with others.

If you get an error message with this form, you can also sign up at eepurl.com/dl5hPn