Has anyone checked out the new Cicerone Certification program offered by the Brewer's
Association? A Cicerone is the new term for a "beer sommelier", someone who
recommends beers to diners and customers. They have a 10-question sample exam you can
take for free.
http://www.cicerone.org
I passed the "Certified Beer Server" (CBS) exam - which involves a fee. Anyone
with a firm BJCP knowledge and who reads the CBS syllabus should be able to pass it fairly
easily. The syllabus for "Certified Cicerone" and "Master Cicerone"
looks like it's a bit harder.
It'll be interesting to see if the beverage/restaurant industry gloms on to this
idea. I think it would certainly help to move the industry towards more varied and
flavorful beers.
- Al