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Beer Equivalent of a Sommelier?

post #1 of 18
3/10/10 at 3:26pm
Thread Starter 
I've heard of something called a Cicerone but I was wondering if there are any other similar certifications or courses out there. How does one become a bona fide beer expert? How did the beer experts on SF become beer experts? I'd love to learn more but I'm not terribly sure where/how to start.
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post #2 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:01pm
BJCP certificate aka Beer Judge

Its nothing like being a sommelier though, a few hours of classes and pass a test and you become certified. But, they have different ranks Grand Master, National, apprentice/novice etc

Its not uncommon to have your beer judged by 2 apprentices and one certified for example, its all subjective but they're usually on the same page as far as off flavors go..Any noob can detect acetaldehyde or lactic acid, its not like they have to know what region the malt was grown, or if it was floor malted, or if mold is growing on hops stored too long, though Im sure someone like Michael Jackson could tell you that
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post #3 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:04pm
Bartender? Beer just ain't that interesting.
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post #4 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:13pm
damn the wine snobs are quick to pounce
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post #5 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by underwearer View Post
Its nothing like being a sommelier though, a few hours of classes and pass a test and you become certified. But, they have different ranks Grand Master, National, apprentice/novice etc

It is much harder to obtain BJCP certification than you make it out to be.
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post #6 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by edinatlanta View Post
It is much harder to obtain BJCP certification than you make it out to be.

You have to score a 60 on a 3 hour exam.
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post #7 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:28pm
Bodega owner
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post #8 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by robertorex View Post
I've heard of something called a Cicerone but I was wondering if there are any other similar certifications or courses out there. How does one become a bona fide beer expert? How did the beer experts on SF become beer experts? I'd love to learn more but I'm not terribly sure where/how to start.

'Cicerone' is like an Italian tour guide...
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post #9 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by why View Post
'Cicerone' is like an Italian tour guide...

hahaha, yeah it does sound a bit silly. http://www.cicerone.org/

Of course, Sommelier also has an interesting origin...

Quote:
Originally Posted by wikipedia
The modern word is French. It derives from Middle French where it referred to a court official charged with transportation of supplies. This use of the term dates to a period when pack animals would be used to transport supplies. The Middle French probably finds its origin in Old Provençal where a saumalier was a pack animal driver. Sauma referred to a pack animal or the load of a pack animal. In Late Latin, sagma referred to a packsaddle.
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post #10 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:42pm
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post #11 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by underwearer View Post
damn the wine snobs are quick to pounce
I like beer, just not the kind that finds its way into "serious" competition.
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post #12 of 18
3/10/10 at 5:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iammatt View Post
I like beer, just not the kind that finds its way into "serious" competition.

KNEW it... Rubinacci on your back and Bud in your fridge...
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post #13 of 18
3/10/10 at 5:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cary Grant View Post
KNEW it... Rubinacci on your back and Bud in your fridge...

I believe drinks a special brew made from Mariano's urine.
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post #14 of 18
3/10/10 at 5:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RJman View Post
I believe drinks a special brew made from Mariano's urine.

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post #15 of 18
3/10/10 at 7:53pm
Spend some time in a good Belgain beer bar with some new age American microbrews on tap and the opinion that beer is just "not that interesting" will quickly be dispelled.

Cask finishing (barrel aging), beer brewing that's moving in all kinds of interesting (though not all good tasting, IMO) directions, and the like means there's a real place for opinions on the aging, service (temp, glassware), and pairings for beer.

If this sounds tempting, be prepared to: (i) spend a lot more money on beer than you used to; and (ii) get to the gym more often if you want to fit into those svelte fitting Mabitex you bought on the B&S thread.
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