The site, based in the University of Nottingham's School of Biosciences, is due to open next month.
Scientists there will attempt to cut the amount of water used to make a pint from five to three and a half pints by 2015.
They will also look at ways of extending shelf life and look for novel ways to use brewing by-products.
The opening of the centre puts the UK at the heart of Peroni and Miller brand owner SABMiller’s global research programme.
UK trading highlight
SABMiller said as it presented its results in the year to 31 March yesterday that UK market provided a trading highlight in an otherwise sluggish European business.
All its brands recorded double-digit volume increases. Its flagship brand Peroni Nastro Azzurro, grew volumes by more than fifth.
Group sales were up by 24% to 3.6 billion US dollars (£2.2 billion) in the year on sales up 7%.