Cicerone? Certification Program

Shakshouka is a bold and flavorful dish featuring poached eggs gently cooked in a rich, simmered sauce of tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions, infused with cumin, paprika, and garlic for a deep, smoky warmth. The eggs add a silky texture, their runny yolks blending into the spiced sauce for a luscious contrast. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley, this dish bursts with bright, herbaceous notes. What beer would you pair with this dish? If you could modify this dish preperation to better pair with your beer, what would you change?

Tasting With Cicerone: Beer Sensory Master Class is An immersive 3 day course taught by multiple Master Cicerones??designed to develop a comprehensive mix of beer sensory skills. ??Participants in this course will work on mastering their approach to a number of different tasting exercises through multiple blind taste panels and practice sessions per day with guided discussions and feedback. ? ? Attendees will become familiar with all of the off flavors found on the Master Cicerone??syllabus, their sources, and attempt to identify off flavors in multiple rounds of blind taste panels. ?Extensive vocabulary development exercises will focus on building confidence in describing all elements of a beer's sensory qualities. ?Participants will be asked to adjust their sensory communication based on the intended target, shifting between more technically focused descriptions and those aimed at a consumer audience.?? Attendees will also hone in on the key attributes of beer styles in order to?differentiate?one style from another. ? ? The skills developed during this course can be applied to a number of roles across the beer industry. ?Class participants will given suggested tasting exercises that can be incorporated into training programs within their organization, or to continue their sensory journey at home. ?This course is ideal?for candidates studying for the Master Cicerone??exam as well as brewery leaders, sensory panel managers, hospitality professionals or those looking to foundationally change the way they approach tasting. ?Although some level of beer knowledge and tasting is presumed for the level of content covered, no level of Cicerone??certification is required to attend. ? https://lnkd.in/eJA7RGMF

The Cicerone Certification Program team is heading to Korea for an exciting week of beer education and community building! Master Cicerones Jason Pratt and Dan Imdieke will be leading a Beer Sensory Workshop at Korea Beer Academy and attending a Cicerone Korea Meet-Up, hosted by The Korea Pub & Brewery Association. Beer Sensory Workshop: Join Master Cicerones Jason Pratt and Dan Imdieke for this interactive course on foundational beer tasting and evaluation techniques. Through a series of guided tasting exercises, participants will learn how we perceive flavor, practice building descriptive beer vocabulary, and become familiar with common off flavors found in beer. Ideal for those studying for Cicerone certification, beer judges, or any beer professional who is interested! Date: Wednesday, March 26? Time: 7:30 PM Location: Korea Beer Academy ?Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eeVPeJeD Cicerone Korea Meet-Up Night: Hosted by The Korea Pub & Brewery Association, the Cicerone Korea Night is a new recurring in-person gathering designed to strengthen the local Cicerone community—especially for those who have earned a level of certification. This event is all about fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and enjoying great beer together. Date: Friday, March 28 ?Time: 7:00 PM? Location: Oktoberfest, Micro Brewery Korea We look forward to connecting, sharing knowledge, and tasting alongside fellow beer professionals in Korea! ??

In case you missed it, Forbes just featured an incredible story on Master Cicerone Max Finnance, highlighting his passion for beer and beer judging. We're beyond proud of Max's dedication to elevating the beer industry, championing quality at every level—from homebrewing to commercial production. Cheers to Max for his hard work and well-deserved recognition! ?? Check out the full article ?? https://lnkd.in/eATHF8H8

This beer pours a dark amber to copper, with garnet-hues topped with a dense, long-lasting off-white to light tan head supported by lively carbonation. The aroma is a rich blend of caramelized malt, dark and dried fruits, with notes of toffee, toasted bread, and cocoa intertwine with raisin, fig, and dried cherry. Yeast esters and phenols range from subtle to moderate, and may present as black pepper, allspice, banana or pear for added complexity. Perfumy alcohol notes may be present in some examples, and hop aroma is minimal. The balance of flavors closely follows the aroma, with a complex blend of with caramelized sugar, dark and dried fruits, yeast esters and phenols. Medium low to moderate bitterness provides a counterpoint to the sweetness. While body can vary, the beer can be perceived as being quite dry due to the elevated level of carbonation, making this style both complex and highly drinkable. Some versions have a slightly warming alcohol finish.

We're bringing back the My Road to Cicerone series—now called My Beer Journey—with a fresh new approach! This series will spotlight Cicerone community members through short-format social media features and longer written (and possibly video) content on our website, YouTube and social channels. We want to hear from you! ? How has Cicerone certification and beer knowledge helped you in your role in the industry? ? What led you to beer education? ? What interesting things are you doing in the industry? ? Do you have a unique story or perspective to share? If so, let us know by filling out this quick survey: https://lnkd.in/eY5nY6QW We'll reach out directly to selected individuals to interview and ensure your story is shared as intended. Our goal is to feature one community member per month, starting in April. Your journey is part of what makes the beer industry great—we'd love to share it with the world!

NEW! Advanced Beer Sensory Workshop – April 22 at Stoup Brewing, Ballard (Seattle, WA) This immersive, interactive sensory workshop is designed to help those preparing for the Advanced Cicerone tasting exam and is also a great way to help brewers, beer judges, and other beer professionals develop their palates and become better beer tasters. In this half-day course, a Master Cicerone? will lead guided tastings and sensory exercises, including: * Flavor descriptor development * Style discrimination strategies * Identification of 12 off-flavors * Blind tasting practice and at-home training techniques Seats are limited—reserve your spot today. https://lnkd.in/ePUgPd6p

This beer pours dark brown to black, often with ruby highlights, crowned by a creamy tan head that lingers. The aroma is rich and malt-forward, dominated by notes of roasted grains that may present as mocha, chocolate or coffee. Some versions have underlying hints of dark fruit, while hop aroma remains low to absent. Flavors emphasize dark malt richness with chocolate, toffee, and subtle roasted coffee notes. A mild, cream-like sweetness may be present, and can range from moderate to pronounced, giving the impression of sweetened espresso. Balance can vary depending on the recipe, with bitterness ranging low to moderate. A medium-full to full body and low to moderate carbonation create a smooth, and creamy mouthfeel. Unfermented sugars may lead to a soft, slightly sweet finish.

Beer is about people and community, and we love any opportunity to celebrate that. The Wall Street Journal recently spoke with several MCs about their journeys, highlighting their passion and dedication. If you're a digital subscriber, you can find the article on their website—or grab a print copy of today's paper to read the full piece. Their stories are just a glimpse into the incredible work happening in beer and beer education. Over the years, we've heard fascinating insights from people across all levels of the program, each contributing in meaningful ways. In 2025, we're excited to showcase even more of these stories and the impact they're making. Stay tuned—next week, we'll be sharing more on what's ahead!

Registration is now open for the 2025 Master Cicerone? exam, scheduled for Monday, November 3, and Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, MO. The Master Cicerone? certification represents the pinnacle of beer expertise, requiring an in-depth understanding of all aspects of beer and brewing. This two-day examination includes written, oral, and tasting components, challenging candidates to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and sensory proficiency. Prerequisites: ? Candidates must have successfully passed the Advanced Cicerone? exam before registering for the Master Cicerone? exam. Exam Details: ? Dates: November 3–4, 2025 ? Location: Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, MO ? Cost: $1,095 USD for the initial exam; $895 USD for retakes ? Passing Score: A minimum overall grade of 85% is required to pass. Due to the rigorous nature of the exam, thorough preparation is essential. Candidates are encouraged to review the Master Cicerone? Syllabus and take advantage of available study resources to ensure readiness. Will this be the year you conquer the ultimate test in beer expertise? Exam seats are limited—secure your spot today! https://lnkd.in/eBCAABJB