Cicerone Certified?

The lowest possible score you can get and pass on the CC exam is 80%

 

80% sounds like a very respectable threshold.

 

Hey congrats on passing and getting a job offer. Cheers!

 

They have a free practice test on their website, check it out and give it a try. The first level is relatively easy in my opinion. The second level is pretty hard, the third level is basically impossible lol

 

Sorry to hear about that experience, it certainly sounds off-putting. The vast majority of my Certified brethren operate under the pretense that we're guides, not Gods. As a matter of fact, I still learn something from everyone I meet...but that's just my mindset. I'd rather be the guy who leaves a mark, not a scar.

 

I'm Certified and was the twentieth person in Indiana to become Certified. It was a good experience that was made easier from my years of sampling and exploration.

A few bullet points:
-memorize the practice exam
-historical stuff can't change so make sure you know your dates, historical figures, Germany, England, Belgium, etc.
-the brewing process can't change either so know your bullet points and the order that they occur
-for the tasting portion practice doppelbock vs dubbel, English IPA vs American IPA, robust porter vs Imperial Stout, tripel vs Belgian Golden Strong, Saison vs Tripel, etc
-consider food pairing options, come up with some on your own and be able to explain them

 

One example in PA is a bottle shop, which under state law must also serve food, and both the beer and the food must be available either for on premises consumption or for take out. I know of a couple of the better shops (among the few we have) where the beer selection and ideas for food/beer pairings, tap selections, ordering the stock of bottles are or were the responsibility of a Cicerone.

 

How much harder is the Cicernoe Certified test from the BJCP national test?

 

No worries, man. I figure there are good and bad examples out there. Just disappointing as he was the first one I met. I rarely go out for tastings either. I definitely agree that there is something to learn from everyone. I certainly have a lot times ten to learn.

I'm going to start reading up on draft systems, as I know next to knowing about that. I might give the free test a try later. I have a huge assessment due April 29th for my last semester of school, which takes a little precedence over beer. After that, I may sit the practice exam just to get myself a test.

 

It's just 10 questions all multiple choice but you can take it several times and get different questions every time. Study here and there on what you didn't know and you can pass the test pretty easily. It would be a good summer project for you after school!

 

Hmm, sounds interesting and simple enough. I'm done with long online tests for a while.

My work I signed for pays for post-graduation education. Maybe I can get them to buy me beer, tasting kits, and a cicerone class

 

I started a separate thread with the same question but haven't seen much response.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/communi...he-bjcp-exam-compare-to-the-ciccerone.403311/

FWIW the Ciccerone definitely has a wider base, including 25% on serving and 15% on pairing.

 

The friends, colleagues, and associates that I've met during a lengthy carrier in the beer and wine industry that are the most beer knowledgeable are not Cicerones (trademark). If one is youngish, it might make sense to consider becoming a Cicerone. I'm fairly certain that I never would have had the program existed when I was younger. It is not necessary to become any level Cicerone to learn and develop a broad knowledge of beer, wine, distillates, and the huge variety of cultures that embrace them. If one is a good student, learning is easy. Knowing people and listening are still the greatest tools in any business. Some folks with lots of knowledge are without these tools. A degree of any type guarantees nothing certain.

 

I agree, but try putting "good listener" and "I know people" on a resume and see where that gets you as a potential job candidate. A degree and cicerone certification will go a long way in the beer industry. Jump on Google and search jobs in the beer industry the top three requirements are: bachelors degree, certified cicerone(preferred), and experience in the industry.

 

You've completely missed the point. If you know the right people, there won't even be an interview.

 

How is a 25 year old from small town, USA supposed to "know the right people" at Sierra Nevada or dogfish head? If you want to work in the beer industry it's best to get a degree in marketing and become a certified cicerone. It can get your foot in the door. Then you can network to "meet the right people".

 

That's knowing "people", not individuals or contacts. I could have made that a bit more clear. Still, passion for your chosen field is most important. If I was a Cicerone or in the Cicerone business, I'd sell the hell out of it too. Plus, a good listener doesn't say, "I'm a good listener", vocally or written.

 

Congratulations!

 

Many of the brewers around here are BJCP judges. I don't know if there are many certified Cicerones. If you want to work in a brewery enroll in the Siebel institutes's master brewer program. check it out here: https://www.siebelinstitute.com/?gclid=CKKJv7H19csCFQeraQodPvYD0Q or attend the UC Davis. there are also a lot of other college brewing programs starting up. Anyone of these might provide a better pathway than being a Certified Cicerone.

 

I passed the first test a while back (definitely some memorization involved and familiarizing myself with the way draft systems works as I've never had to work with them but most of the test that dealt with styles was fairly easy) and I hope to make my way as far as I can in the higher ranks. There's really no rush, my loose plan is to be a Certified Cicerone within the next couple years and if I never get to Master Cicerone its no big deal.

Also interested in eventually becoming a sommelier but I suppose that's a topic for a different forum, cheers!