« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Cicerone Certification  (Read 2293 times)

Offline Frankenbrew

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 697
  • South Shore Brew Club, SE Massachusetts
Cicerone Certification
« on: March 16, 2015, 11:53:57 PM »
I'm thinking of becoming certified as a Cicerone. I went ahead and completed the first level, which is CBS, certified beer server. It was pretty easy. Anyone who has been brewing awhile and kegs their own beer should be able to pass it. I'm thinking that being a Cicerone could perhaps be a nice part-time semi-retirement gig for me.

Is anyone on here already certified? If so, do you work in the industry? Is it worth the money? The time?

I know that from a learning perspective, I'll love it, but it's actually somewhat expensive and time consuming. At this point, I'm trying to decide if it's worth it.

Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Logged
Frank C.

And thereof comes the proverb: 'Blessing of your
heart, you brew good ale.'

Offline flbrewer

  • Brewmaster General
  • *******
  • Posts: 2161
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2015, 12:49:02 AM »
I did the first one like you, thought it was very easy. I have balked at anything further because you actually have to go somewhere to take it and it is a big step up in the cost. For me I can't really see any need to have the certification.

I will warn you though, if you watch the documentary Somm you will certainly want to take those other tests!

Logged

Offline euge

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8022
  • Ego ceruisam ad bibere cervisiam
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2015, 11:48:45 AM »
My brother is just shy of completing his sommelier certification. He informed me that the cicerone certification is far more difficult.

Not sure if that translates into a demand for services.
Logged
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline reverseapachemaster

  • Official Poobah of No Life.
  • *
  • Posts: 3312
    • Brain Sparging on Brewing
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2015, 02:24:58 PM »
I'm not sure I have been many places with certified cicerones on staff. I have been many places with certified beer servers but it seems to be like the high school diploma of service staff: everybody has one. I wouldn't put the time or money into a certificate program without reasonable expectation of some kind of return. If you just enjoy taking tests then don't let me stop you.
Logged
Heck yeah I blog about homebrewing: Brain Sparging on Brewing

Offline Stevie

  • Official Poobah of No Life.
  • *
  • Posts: 6858
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2015, 02:39:40 PM »
Quote from: reverseapachemaster on March 17, 2015, 02:24:58 PM
I'm not sure I have been many places with certified cicerones on staff. I have been many places with certified beer servers but it seems to be like the high school diploma of service staff: everybody has one. I wouldn't put the time or money into a certificate program without reasonable expectation of some kind of return. If you just enjoy taking tests then don't let me stop you.
Meddlesome Moth has two Certified Cicerones, that must be why their beers are so expensive. I have found that most of the servers are more knowledgeable than the run of the mill server. One thing I have noticed is that they push the large format bottles.
Logged

Offline Frankenbrew

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 697
  • South Shore Brew Club, SE Massachusetts
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2015, 08:33:09 PM »
Thanks, guys!

I'm at the point where I am wondering about the ROI. I love learning, and I don't even mind taking tests. But it can be pretty expensive, so I have to figure out if it's going to be worth it.

I have never been to a place that has certified Cicerones either, but it still is somewhat new (and, really, I mostly just drink at my own bar). I wonder if it will become more prevalent as the craft beer scene matures???

I have time; I don't really have to do it now. I'm planning to retire in five years, so I'll probably look at it for a little while before I make up my mind. You have to admit: working and making money at what one loves is the ultimate success. And I guess if one has the passion, he will succeed. I guess I just talked myself into it. 8)
Logged
Frank C.

And thereof comes the proverb: 'Blessing of your
heart, you brew good ale.'

S. cerevisiae

  • Guest
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2015, 09:27:51 PM »
I am too am looking at things that I can do in retirement.  I want to retire from my current profession at age 62, but I do not want to completely retire from working.   While I have no desire to start a brewery or a brewing career at this point in my life, I would not mind working as a quality control/fermentation consultant on a limited basis. 
Logged

Offline Stevie

  • Official Poobah of No Life.
  • *
  • Posts: 6858
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2015, 09:44:33 PM »
Quote from: S. cerevisiae on March 18, 2015, 09:27:51 PM
I am too am looking at things that I can do in retirement.  I want to retire from my current profession at age 62, but I do not want to completely retire from working.   While I have no desire to start a brewery or a brewing career at this point in my life, I would not mind working as a quality control/fermentation consultant on a limited basis.
Do lab work for small breweries. You could operate like a mobile canner and have a sweet van with lab equipment. You could do QA on samples, yeast management, and consultation. I guess you would have to stop at 70 when it's unsafe for you to be behind the wheel  ;)
Logged

Offline HoosierBrew

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 13030
  • Indianapolis,IN
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2015, 10:07:24 PM »
Quote from: Steve in TX on March 18, 2015, 09:44:33 PM
I guess you would have to stop at 70 when it's unsafe for you to be behind the wheel  ;)

Had a pretty good chuckle there. ;)
Logged
Jon H.

Offline Frankenbrew

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 697
  • South Shore Brew Club, SE Massachusetts
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2015, 01:03:53 PM »
Quote from: S. cerevisiae on March 18, 2015, 09:27:51 PM
I am too am looking at things that I can do in retirement.  I want to retire from my current profession at age 62, but I do not want to completely retire from working.   While I have no desire to start a brewery or a brewing career at this point in my life, I would not mind working as a quality control/fermentation consultant on a limited basis.

Yes, that is the same age I will be when I retire. I'm a high school English teacher, and I can't really imagine doing it at that age, never mind even older. Though, I feel like I'll be healthy enough to do many things well. I would love my next career to be in brewing/beer somehow.

I've also contemplated my own beer related business and have come to the same conclusion as you. I really don't want to make a somewhat risky, low ROI capital investment at this point in my life.

From reading your posts, I think you would be very successful at the type of job that you describe; you certainly seem to have the knowledge to do it. Good luck!
Logged
Frank C.

And thereof comes the proverb: 'Blessing of your
heart, you brew good ale.'

Offline euge

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8022
  • Ego ceruisam ad bibere cervisiam
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2015, 01:45:24 PM »
Damn... you guys!

I'm telling that I just retired... at age 48! Perhaps that Cicerone thingy might give me something to do!?
Logged
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline morticaixavier

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7782
  • Underhill VT
    • The Best Artist in the WORLD!!!!!
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2015, 01:48:13 PM »
Quote from: euge on March 19, 2015, 01:45:24 PM
Damn... you guys!

I'm telling that I just retired... at age 48! Perhaps that Cicerone thingy might give me something to do!?

congrats Euge! that's... well... Huge Euge! I know you were getting pretty fed up with your work situation.
Logged
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time"
-A Einstein

"errors are [...] the portals of discovery"
- J Joyce

Offline euge

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8022
  • Ego ceruisam ad bibere cervisiam
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2015, 02:05:22 PM »
Oh it came to a head a week and a half ago and I moved my retirement plans forward. I'll re-evaluate matters over the next two years and I may re-enter the workforce. Perhaps as a hobo Cicerone... :o
Logged
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline hopfenundmalz

  • Global Moderator
  • I must live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 9475
  • Milford, MI
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #13 on: March 19, 2015, 03:10:27 PM »
Quote from: euge on March 19, 2015, 01:45:24 PM
Damn... you guys!

I'm telling that I just retired... at age 48! Perhaps that Cicerone thingy might give me something to do!?

Congratulations, that is even younger than when I retired. You will find something to keep you occupied and engaged with the world.

Logged
Jeff Rankert
AHA Governing Committee
AHA Lifetime Member
BJCP National
Ann Arbor Brewers Guild
Home-brewing, not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle!

Offline Jimmy K

  • Official Poobah of No Life.
  • *
  • Posts: 3646
  • Delaware
Re: Cicerone Certification
« Reply #14 on: March 19, 2015, 03:34:36 PM »
Quote from: Steve in TX on March 18, 2015, 09:44:33 PM
Quote from: S. cerevisiae on March 18, 2015, 09:27:51 PM
I am too am looking at things that I can do in retirement.  I want to retire from my current profession at age 62, but I do not want to completely retire from working.   While I have no desire to start a brewery or a brewing career at this point in my life, I would not mind working as a quality control/fermentation consultant on a limited basis.
Do lab work for small breweries. You could operate like a mobile canner and have a sweet van with lab equipment. You could do QA on samples, yeast management, and consultation. I guess you would have to stop at 70 when it's unsafe for you to be behind the wheel  ;)
That sounds like a great idea.
Logged
Delmarva United Homebrewers - President by inverse coup - former president ousted himself.
AHA Member since 2006
BJCP Certified: B0958
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »