What does it take to master beer?

A lot of beer, you might say but that would only tell part of the story. It also takes a lot of study and tuition.

There is, in fact, a certification program akin to the Sommelier certification for the wine industry. 

" The Cicerone Certification Program empowers beer professionals around the world through the development and recognition of beer skill and knowledge. "

The program consists of four levels culminating in the Master Cicerone certification. The exam for Master Cicerone is a two-day affair at a cost of nearly $1,100. It is given only once or twice per year and obtaining the first three certifications is a prerequisite.

Certified Beer Server is the first level. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions that must be completed in 30 minutes. The cost to take the exam is $79.

The exam for the second-level certification, Certified Cicerone, is $450 and consists of a written part (3 hours, online) plus a tasting part (45 minutes, in person) and a demonstration portion (3 minutes, video recorded).

The Advanced Cicerone (third level) exam is given multiple times per year in various cities at a cost of $850.

That's almost $2,500, days of testing, and countless hours of study. Plus the cost for various study materials based on a student's mode of learning and previous experience in the industry.

And, that's not all. The syllabus to the Master Cicerone course explains:

" At the Advanced and Master Cicerone levels, candidates are expected to have a broad knowledge of culinary terms from around the globe, spanning ingredients, methods of preparation, and finished dishes. "

According to this Wall Street Journal article, there are only 28 Master Cicerones in the world. Not surprising, considering everything a Master Cicerone needs to master.

" Cicerones describe their jobs as different from sommeliers swanning around Michelin-starred restaurants. They often work inside beer companies, developing brews and assessing when they are ready, and assisting with design and operations. They are frequently tapped for beer-education events and to judge competitions. "

Don't get me started on the Beer Judge Certification program. That's a whole other thing!

The point is, enjoy your beer. If you want to know more, you can find a lot of resources online or at the library. But, if you want to really get serious about beer, check out the resources available on the Cicerone Certification Program website. A lot of the information there is free or at low cost.

Who knows? You might just learn something interesting about the beverage you love to drink.

#Cheers, #BeerFreak, #BeerHere, #BeerCareful

Riders on the Dust Storm

A terrible dust storm blew through town over the weekend. To get out of the house and breathe clean air, we drove an hour to Beaumont, CA. It was only after we got on the interstate that we wondered if this had been a good idea. Vehicles were driving with their hazard lights on as visibility dropped to near zero. One accident could create a huge pileup.

The destination of Beaumont was selected as being the shortest distance to travel to find better air quality based on maps provided by AirNow.gov where there was also a brewery.

Within 60 minutes, Beaumont gave us clean air, a full 20 degrees cooler than at home but they had no brewery. Instead, we found refreshment at The Craft Lounge Tap Room and Bottle Shop. Hubby had a Rain Pilsner from Pure Project, a reliably good beer. I had the Nachtkrapp Schwarzbier from Ogopogo Brewing. The beertender described it as similar to Deschutes Black Butte Porter. I was impressed he even knew that beer seeing as that brewery is located in Bend, Oregon - 900 miles away from Beaumont! Aware that Black Butte Porter was an excellent beer, I was in for trying Ogopogo's Schwarzbier.

That beertender knew his stuff. The Nachtkrapp was out of this world. Only today, I discovered that the Nachtkrapp was awarded the Gold medal at the 2024 World Beer Cup. Deschutes took home four medals in 2024, three of them Gold. Ogopogo was in very good company.

We only had one and then we drove back to the Coachella Valley finding conditions were much improved. Closer to home, we stopped for a beer at La Quinta Brewing and it turned out they had another beer on tap from Ogopogo Brewing! It was their Sharlie Hazy IPA but I didn't try it because 1) I'm generally not a fan of that style of beer, and 2) I wanted to stay within the dark roast style of the Schwarzbier I had previously.

Kenna at LQB suggested their Tanline Brown which was a great followup to the Schwarzbier. But it got me to thinking, what are the chances that I would run into two beers from Ogopogo Brewing - a brewery I had previously never heard of - in the same day?

Ogopogo is located in San Gabriel, CA, a little bit east of Los Angeles. They only brew four core beers but as I learned from their website, one is a Silver medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival two years in a row (2019 and 2020): Boeman Belgian White. The Sharlie Hazy is another of their core beers available year round. After the win at the World Beer Cup, Ogopogo brewed their Nachtkrapp again and made it available on tap for, I suspect, a limited time. 

I happened to have been in the right place at the right time.

Lessons learned: The next time I go back to LQB, I need to try the Sharlie Hazy IPA. And, the next time there's a dust storm in the Coachella Valley, I need to head to San Gabriel.

H/T to the Craft Lounge Tap Room's beertender who turned me onto Ogopogo Brewery and to Kenna for recommending the Tanline Brown. Don't forget to tip your knowledgable servers!

If you've been following along...

 ... Pliny the Younger was on tap at La Quinta Brewing in Palm Desert yesterday (1/18/25). They were not limiting customers to one glass (which is surprising since the ABV is 10.25%) which means they weren't overly concerned about running out. It's very likely, imo, that there is more to be had today if you weren't able to get to the brewery yesterday.

Pliny the Younger at La Quinta Brewing, Palm Desert

I also have it, from a reliable source, that The Younger will not be made available at the brewery's Old Town location. If you're interested on getting your hands - or tastebuds, in this case - on this seasonal release from Russian River Brewing, right now is your chance.

Is it an overrated IPA or a cult thing? Probably both but I, for one, am all in.

Pliny the Younger is on draft now at…

La Quinta Brewing, Palm Desert.

Limit me glass per customer until the keg runs out.

Screenshot 2025-02-17 at 9.53.02 AM

Coming Soon . . .

 

Beer Here!

With imports on aluminum, the price on your favorite packaged beer may go up.

All the more reason to drink local.

Visit a brewery today and show your support. 

Environmental and economic bonus: bring a washable, reusable growler for fresh brew at home.