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You've heard of drinking on the job, but have you heard of drinking for the job?
Cicerones are certified professional beer tasters. They're the sommeliers of the beer world.
It takes a lot more than a love of beer to succeed as a beer expert, but that's where it all starts. ♥🍺♥
What Does a Cicerone Do?
Cicerones commonly work in restaurants, breweries, bars, and clubs.
They're guides for:
Restaurant and bar owners deciding what types of beer to serve
Guests wanting the best beer to pair with their food
Breweries needing advice on the science behind beer-making
Photo by Jon Parry on UnsplashThey're the go-to-people when you want to know about beer flavor, handling, service, and style.
Quiz
Who would a cicerone help? Select all that apply:
A cicerone would help in almost every scenario listed. Their expertise is useful for picking between types of beer, deciding what might be served at a wedding, and creating beer. A cicerone wouldn't help a tour guide for a vineyard. A sommelier would do that.
What Does It Take to Be a Cicerone?
To be a cicerone, you must pass a written, serving, and demonstration certification exam from the Cicerone Certification Program, which starts with:
Level 1 — Certified Beer Server: first-level basic fundamentals.
Having Level 1 and being at least 21 years old unlocks the chance to take the Level 2 exam.
Level 2 — Certified Cicerone: demonstration of professional knowledge.
You then progress up from there with two more possible exams.
Level 3 — Advanced Cicerone: extensive expertise in beer service and knowledge.
Level 4 — Master Cicerone: the highest and rarest level of achievement.
Necessary Skills
Besides passing the certification exam, cicerones need a number of skills.
Customer service skills to be pleasant when interacting with customers
Attention to detail to match and select the right beer for someone
Communication skills to explain the history of a beer and why it's a good choice
Patience to handle people who may be indecisive
Professionalism when handling and serving beer to guests
Read about the four personalities below:
Arjun is an introvert who prefers computers to people. He likes drinking light beer but he won't turn down a darker beer as long as it's free.
Heidi goes running every weekend. She has a short temper and doesn't like having her time wasted. She stays organized by setting notifications on her smart watch.
Kimiko loves finding the perfect gifts for her friends. She circles every gift-exchange holiday on her calendar. Her shopping wish lists are extensive on many websites.
Carlos only orders the same meal wherever he goes. Grilled cheese is his favorite. He doesn't believe in online reviews and feels like they're all paid for.
Quiz
Which personality fits a cicerone's skills the best?
The work of a cicerone involves matching beer according to people's tastes, in a similar way shown by Kimiko when she chooses gifts for her friends. The job takes social skills, patience, and an openness to try new things to stay up-to-date with beer knowledge.
What Do Cicerones Earn?
Certified cicerones have an average base salary of $46,000 USD, with many possible jobs that they can do with their certification.
Photo by Taylor Davidson on UnsplashLove It or Hate It?
Being a cicerone isn't always all fun, games, and beer.
Photo by Gerrie van der Walt on UnsplashWhy someone would love being a cicerone:
Loving beer
Getting to tell the history and story behind beer
Advising people on the best beer for their needs
Photo by Poojitha Prasad on UnsplashWhy someone would hate being a cicerone:
Hating beer in general
Needing to frequently talk to customers and management
Reading (so much reading!) and researching beer and the brewing process
Take Action
Do you think you have what it takes to become a cicerone, otherwise known as an expert beer taster? Take these steps today.
This Byte has been authored by
Pey Parrott
Learner Engagement Specialist
BSc