The Cicerone Beer Certification Program

The Cicerone Certification Program is a course of beer study founded by Ray Daniels in 2007. Daniels is a beer author and judge, and is well respected in the beer community. He is a member of the Senior Faculty of the Siebel Institute of Technology, America's oldest brewing school, and author of Designing Great Beers (Brewers Publications, 1998) and Best of American Beer and Food (Brewers Publications, 1997)

The word cicerone was originally used to describe a person who conducts museum or sightseeing tours. Daniels has coined it to describe someone who leads others through the world of beer. In some ways it is the beer world's answer to the sommelier. While classically, sommeliers should possess good knowledge about all alcoholic beverages, the term has become increasingly associated with the wine world, and many trained sommeliers do not have a good knowledge of beer. The Cicerone Certification Program is trademarked, and is generally considered by those in the beer industry to be the standard certification program for beer knowledge.

The program is comprised of three levels of certification: Certified Beer Server, Certified Cicerone and Master Cicerone. The basic Certified Beer Server level can be completed over the internet, and is comprised of questions revolving around knowledge of beer styles, production, serving beer and proper storage. The Certified Cicerone level is much more intense, requiring knowledge of the history of beer, technical aspects of brewing, tap systems and their operation, a deeper knowledge of beer styles, beer flaws and off flavors, as well as tasting and pairing of beer with food. The Master Cicerone Certification delves even deeper into the brewing process and requires superior knowledge of all aspects of beer. The tests for these levels of certification must be taken in person, and are offered at various times and places around the country each year. These tests are comprised of written questions, essays and tasting skills.

How does this pertain to you? Well, if you have any interest in beer, or if you work at all in the beverage industry, the Cicerone program is a great place to learn. The website, cicerone.org, and its links to other related pages offer a wealth of beer knowledge that can aid someone with even a mild interest in beer. Topics covered range from how to properly wash a glass so that it is "beer clean" to the basics of malt and beer brewing. Learn how to properly store your beer, and find out what causes off flavors or a skunky taste in your beer. Learn about the myriad of hops available today, how to maintain and clean tap lines, find descriptions of beer styles from around the world or begin to explore the art of beer and food pairing. Even if you don't plan on becoming a Certified Cicerone there is much that can be learned from the site, and you can focus on the aspects of beer that interest you, without having to learn everything there is to know about beer. Try the 60 question Certified Beer Server test to see just how much you do know, and what areas you may want to learn more about. Whether you are just beginning to get into beer, or have been sipping the suds for decades, the Cicerone Program is a great place to round out your knowledge.