SCA Coffee Skills Program – Brewing Foundation & Intermediate

Amsterdam Coffee Lab – Weesp (Amsterdam)

Small groups • Personal guidance • Deep coffee knowledge

Unlock your barista potential with the globally recognised Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Coffee Skills Program at Amsterdam Coffee Lab. Whether you’re beginning your barista journey or ready to elevate your craft, our Foundation and Intermediate levels give you the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on skillset to brew like a true professional. We run this course as a Foundation-Intermediate combo. 

Even though you can choose to participate in only one of the two levels (or tackle the intermediate later), we strongly advise taking this 3-day combo. It provides ample time for learning, the chance to revisit prior experiences during the course, and the ability to dedicate more time to specific topics if required. This will ultimately boost your learning progress.

🇳🇱 🇬🇧 Our courses are thought english & dutch. We adapt to the needs of the students and group. Most terms are english, so this is easier as base language but we do translate and make sure all students understan everything. It is possible to do theory exam in the language of your choice.

At our coffee lab in Weesp, you’ll learn directly from Wouter Brunia — the CoffeeNose 👃, an internationally experienced trainer, sensory specialist, and educator with 250+ students from 35+ countries. Coffee here isn’t just brewed; it’s understood, analysed, experimented with, and taught with passion rooted in science.

We keep our groups intentionally small, ensuring personal attention, individual feedback, and plenty of hands-on practice on professional equipment.

The Science & Art of the Perfect Pour: Master Brewing with The CoffeeNose 👃

Elevate your coffee ritual from simple routine to scientific precision. Our SCA Brewing courses at the Amsterdam Coffee Lab are designed to give you the expert knowledge and hands-on practice needed to master virtually any brewing device and consistently produce perfectly extracted, beautiful coffee.

Meet Your Expert Trainer: Wouter Brunia (The CoffeeNose 👃)

Your journey will be led by Wouter Brunia, an internationally respected SCA Educator and Sensory Specialist known globally as The CoffeeNose. Wouter's passion is translating complex coffee science into accessible, fun, and highly practical knowledge.

• Highly Rated: Learn from a trainer whose expertise and engaging, patient teaching style are consistently praised by professionals and home brewers alike.
• Global Community: Join a distinguished alumni network of 300+ students from 35+ countries—making our lab a truly international hub for coffee excellence.

The Venue: Amsterdam Coffee Lab

Immerse yourself in a state-of-the-art training environment. Located conveniently near Amsterdam, our lab is equipped with diverse, professional brewing gear, providing the perfect setting for intensive, small-group training (Min. 6 pax per class). This ensures maximum one-on-one time with Wouter, allowing you to focus on your specific techniques.

Course Overview

The Brewing Foundation and Intermediate courses are ideal for new and active home brewers, junior baristas, café owners, and roasters who wish to further explore brewing parameters and methods to enhance their brew extractions and techniques.

Ready to #extractmore?

Join our next course and let Wouter, The CoffeeNose, guide you to your brewing potential.

Who Should Attend: Home Brewers, Junior Baristas, Cafe Owners, Roasters.

Would you like to register for a specific date, or do you have a question about the prerequisite knowledge needed?

☕ Brewing Foundation

Perfect for newcomers and home baristas

Gain the essential skills every barista needs, taught with clarity, patience, and hands-on coaching.

☕ Brewing Intermediate

For baristas ready to level up their craft

This level challenges you to think, taste, evaluate and correct — the real skills of a professional barista.

🎓 Globally Recognised Certification

Upon successful completion, you will receive:

• SCA Brewing Foundation Certificate
• SCA Brewing Intermediate Certificate
• Certificate of completion from Amsterdam Coffee Lab

These certifications are globally respected in the specialty-coffee world and a strong asset for hospitality careers.

🔍 Learning Outcomes - What You Will Master

Upon completion, you will possess the analytical and practical skills to transform your coffee results:

• Master usage of various brew devices (V60, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.).
• Understand principles behind the order of extraction and wetting.
• Master essential elements of brewing (grind, water, time, dose).
• Scientifically measure coffee strength using a refractometer.
• Learn to chart extraction (understanding the relationship between strength and yield).
• Analyse brewed coffee and espresso for defects and desirable qualities.
• Learn to adjust parameters for a perfectly balanced cup.
• Learn the importance of cleaning and maintenance for consistency.

🌍 Why Train at Amsterdam Coffee Lab?

• Small groups → individual coaching, deeper learning
• Expert trainer → Wouter Brunia (CoffeeNose 👃), sensory specialist & educator
• Scientific approach → real extraction theory, taste development, and sensorial training
• Students from 32+ countries → trusted worldwide
• Professional equipment & specialty coffees roasting & Brewing on 100% renewable energy

At Amsterdam Coffee Lab, coffee passion is rooted in knowledge, experience, and precision — and we’re excited to share it with you.

📍 Location

Amsterdam Coffee Lab

WB.coffee — Weesp / Amsterdam

(Free parking & train station nearby)

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Questions?

Having a good time, encountering challenges, and gaining knowledge through practice is our natural way of learning.

Our workshops are interactive and engaging, so if you're excited to connect with fellow coffee enthusiasts, you've found the perfect place at our Coffee Lab. 

Wouter Brunia, the CoffeeNose👃, is a highly respected coffee educator whose passion for sharing knowledge inspires others to reach their full potential in the world of coffee.

Whether you're just starting out or have been brewing for years, you'll discover how to enhance your skills and #extractmore. 

It's a promise! 🤝

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Learn more

At Amsterdam Coffee Lab, we host workshops that are both inclusive and conducted in a welcoming environment. We appreciate that everyone is unique and has different ways of learning.  

We believe in a hands-on approach to learning, where mistakes are stepping stones to growth, and the only question that is truly foolish is the one that isn’t asked.

Windmills in Weesp: Left De Eendragt, right De Vriendschap  

Our workshops are a perfect match for exploring Weesp and its picturesque area. You can hop on a train and be in Amsterdam in just around 16 minutes.

Check our local tips ⬇

Visit Weesp & Amsterdam

In the evenings and on weekends, parking is available for free right outside our entrance. During business hours, we have a limited number of parking spots. 

The Weesp NS train station, which includes a P&R facility (parking lot), is just a 5-minute walk from here.

You can easily reach us by bycicle from Amsterdam, Almere, the Gooi, and nearby locations. We also have charging options available for your e-bike. ​

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Reserve your parking spot

Imagine hosting this workshop, or a tailored training session, right in your own home or office! It's a fantastic way to engage and inspire your family, friends, colleagues, or clients. Don't miss the chance to create unforgettable memories together!

We will assess your current setup and assist you in enhancing your coffee experience. This service starts at 150 (not including travel expenses).

There is a wide range of possibilities. Coffee tasting can be enhanced with sensory smell and taste activities like chocolate tasting, tea tasting, whisky tasting, and more.

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Let us inspire you