Cicerone Certified?

They outline everything you'll be tested on. I had my sweet job before I got certified. "Sweet Jobs" are all about who you know, not what you know.

 

This is something I've looked at and haven't yet done. I keep hearing that so and so distributor is going to push a whole batch through and that maybe I can latch on (I work at a fancy pants wine and liquor store) but then it passes and I get passed over. I'd love to do it but I really keep hoping we can trick someone else into paying for me. Also, I think its only held like twice a year in CO or something like that.

I know I'm a cheap ass. Its only $70 to take level 1.

 

i know someone who is a level one but it doesn't help him get any jobs. he works in a warehouse as do I. it sounds like a scam to me, no offense, but I am curious about other people's direct connection with certification and ability to score jobs

 

level 1 is a certified beer server :
First-level certification exam for those who work with beer.(bartenders/servers/managers/sales)*
level 2 is Certified Cicerone (what the op was talking about):
Certification of knowledge and tasting skills for professionals dedicated to beer.(brewers/beverage managers/Somms)*
level 3 is Master Cicerone:
The ultimate test of beer expertise.(beer and wine industry jobs/food service/consult/write)*

*a few examples of the kind of work you can expect (or who would benefit most from each block) at the 3 levels of the program. Up to you to decide how sweet they are.

 

I work for a distributor and they trained me and paid for the exam. It does not help me directly for the department that I am in but as promotions come along it does help, especially if I ever decide to go to the supplier side. If you have the time/money it is a great test of your beer knowledge. The test is rigorous and even though you may be an aficionado it's good to understand how the test is structured and to know what graders are looking for.

 

I passed the level 1 test, 60 questions in 30 minutes, I missed 3, already had the TW part-time gig when I got the certification

 

I'm studying for it now. I already work at a bottle shop, but I want a career in the industry and this is a good way to increase my value.

 

Level 1 (Certified Beer Server) is very basic and extremely easy. After a couple years of bartending I passed with only a few minutes of studying and one question (something about picnic taps) wrong. The CBS doesn't really do much for your employability, but I know of restaurants and distributors that require it.

Certified Cicerone (level 2) is a whole different animal and really is something a lot of people care about in the industry, particularly for distributors and restaurants that have a large beer selection, since food pairing is such a big factor. This level is significantly more difficult and most people I know haven't passed it the first time. (I passed the written/demo part but not the tasting.) it's a significant amount of studying but can be useful depending on the job. I wouldn't really recommend it unless you're in one of those two occupations, however.

 

My wife's tasting group/club is going to do the L-1 soon just for fun, I am curious to see some of the questions.

 

I have it. It's great for parties.

 

Just curious - do they follow the BJCP style guidelines or is it mostly independent? I ask because a lot of the BJCP stuff related to history and many foreign styles (like German) can range from incredibly accurate to nearly dead wrong.

 

Been looking at starting the progression. Looking to do CBS in the next year. Cicerone the following. Business planning a brewpub so the more I know the better.

 

Been looking at starting the progression. Looking to do CBS in the next year. Cicerone the following. Business planning a brewpub so the more I know the better.

 

Passed level two about 3 years ago and yes it's helped me tremendously in getting sweet jobs.

White Labs, Stone Brewing Co, ChuckAlek Independent Brewers

 

am I the only one who wants to take the exams to get to the master level after I retire..... just to be annoying when I go for a drink with friends?

I have some major plans for retirement.... go to le cordon bleu in paris to learn to bake killer bread... polish-up my beerphile skills for no particular reason.... oh, and go on a few archaeological digs.

after all, retirement is for trivial pursuits.... digging while drunk is probably frowned upon, so I guess I'll bake as I drink

 

BJCP, but they will move to the 2015 guidelines soon.

 

I have the level one and I'm a bartender and beer manager at a bar. My girlfriend works for a brewery and she just got her level 2.

As stated earlier, the difference between 1 and 2 is huge. I'll be taking my level two in November and I'm sure I'll need at least 2 months of solid studying to pass.

If you want to take the test, go for it, but I feel its more of a thing that you get someone to pay for, not something you pay out of pocket to boost your own resume.

 

I would shy away at hiring a Level 2 at our bar. Many other bars either feel the same or are indifferent.