WSET vs Cicerone vs BJCP - which one/s is right for me? by Stephen Staples DipWSET

The USA has the most diverse beer selection in the world, thanks to its 10,000 or so breweries and a steady flow of imports from around the globe. With so much variety, it’s no wonder beer lovers are turning to beer education to make sense of different styles, brewing techniques, and, most importantly, to enhance their enjoyment of a fine pint.

When it comes to beer education in the US, three programs stand out: the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP), the Cicerone Certification Program, and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Each has its own history, focus, and ideal audience. But which one is right for you? I’ve dabbled in all three, and I’m here to break it down. The good news? They’re all excellent programs — but the best fit depends on what you're looking for. So grab a beer, get comfy, and read on as we work through each one alphabetically.?

BJCP

To understand the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program - established in the 1980s), it helps to know its main purpose: training people to judge beer competitions. Every weekend across the US — and increasingly around the world — brewers go head-to-head in competitions, much like a Westminster Kennel Club Show for beer instead of dogs. Instead of competing based on breed, though, beers are judged against established style guidelines.

Most of these competitions feature homebrewed beers, though some competitions are held for professional breweries as well. Judging is conducted blind by BJCP-accredited judges — people with a deep understanding of brewing techniques and beer styles, who use their senses and official BJCP style guidelines to evaluate each brew. The goal isn’t just to crown the best beers in each category, but also to provide brewers with constructive feedback to help them improve their craft.

One of the biggest byproducts of the BJCP program is the aforementioned BJCP Style Guidelines, which outline the key characteristics of all major beer styles, covering appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, history, and brewing techniques. These guidelines have gained widespread recognition and are often used by craft brewers to describe their beers. Since beer styles continue to evolve, the guidelines are updated periodically to reflect new trends and brewing practices. They’re a fantastic resource, and you can download them online or grab a BJCP Guidelines app for easy access on your phone.

If you want to earn an official BJCP judge certification, here’s what it takes:

First, you’ll need to pass the BJCP Online Entrance Exam—a rigorous multiple-choice test with 180 questions in 60 minutes (cost: $10). It’s no walk in the park — I’ve known professional brewers who had to take it more than once to pass! The exam requires a solid grasp of beer styles, brewing techniques, and BJCP standards, so self-study is essential. As a bare minimum, I recommend studying:

• BJCP Study Guide
• BJCP Guidelines
• How to Brew (4th Ed.) – John Palmer (approximately $25)
• Tasting Beer (2nd Ed.) – Randy Mosher (approximately $20)
• The Beer Bible (2nd Ed.) – Jeff Alworth (approximately $25)

(There are plenty of other recommended books, but these are the most indispensable in my opinion.)

Once you pass the entrance exam, you can register for the BJCP Judging Exam, where you'll assess six beers in a blind competition-style setting. The beers will vary in style and quality (some are going to be faulty), and you won’t know what they are ahead of time. Depending on where you’re located, you might have access to training courses led by high-ranking judges, where you can practice tasting and learn judging theory.

Once accredited, BJCP judges earn points by volunteering at competitions. The more points they accumulate — combined with their Judging Exam score — the higher they can rank within the program. However, there’s a ceiling. To progress beyond a certain level, judges must take on the BJCP Written Exam, a grueling three-hour test that’s no easy feat. Those who pass unlock prestigious ranks like National, Master, and Grand Master, marking them as some of the most knowledgeable beer judges in the world.

The BJCP is a volunteer-driven organization, largely made up of homebrewers and beer enthusiasts who dedicate their own time to judging competitions and helping brewers improve their craft. It’s a great opportunity to compare beers, provide constructive feedback, and deepen your understanding of brewing and styles.

That said, the program is no picnic, especially for beginners. The learning is largely self-guided, and the brewing knowledge required can be a steep learning curve. Understanding beer styles is one thing, but applying brewing techniques to those styles takes real effort. Without structured guidance, new judges are expected to take initiative in their studies. Having a brewing background certainly helps in this regard, which is why the credential is particularly popular with homebrewers, along with beer judges.?

That being said, it’s a fun and welcoming community, and once you’re involved, you’ll get to taste a lot of beer — some great, and some … interesting.

Cicerone Certification Program

The Cicerone program is first and foremost an accreditation body, much like the Court of Master Sommeliers — but for beer. Founded in the 2000s by author Ray Daniels, its goal is to ensure that candidates demonstrate a high level of mastery over all things beer. Like the Court of Master Sommeliers, the program is structured into four levels, each becoming exponentially more challenging as you progress. The exams increase in length, depth, and complexity at every stage.

• Certified Beer Server – The first level. Candidates take a 30-minute online multiple-choice exam. It’s not the hardest test, but you’ll need a solid grasp of beer basics (particularly styles) to pass. Cost: $79.?
• Certified Cicerone – The second level. This involves a three-hour invigilated online theory exam with short-answer and essay questions. Candidates must pass a 45-minute tasting exam and a practical demonstration. Cost: $450. Must have passed Certified Beer Server.?
• Advanced Cicerone – The third level. The theory portion consists of two separate three-hour invigilated online exams, followed by an in-person assessment that includes four tasting panels and two presentations. Cost: $850. Must have passed Certified Cicerone.
• Master Cicerone – The final and most difficult level. It involves two straight days of multiple written, tasting and oral components. Cost: $1095. Must have passed Advanced Cicerone.

The deeper you go, the more intense and demanding the exams become.?

As with the Court of Master Sommeliers, the organization acts more as a certification body, rather than an educational one, though they do offer some educational packages and materials. For each level, there is a syllabus to follow, along with a suggested bank of books to learn from. The curriculum has five key parts where they expect candidates to be competent (I’ve included some of the suggested texts important at the Certified Cicerone level):

• Keeping and Serving Beer, which draws heavily from the Draught Beer Quality Manual from the Brewers Association (free download)
• Beer Styles, which draws heavily from the BJCP Style Guidelines (although Michael Jackson’s Great Beer Guide is also worthwhile - it’s out of print, but there are plenty of second hand copies for cheap)
• Beer Flavor and Evaluation (suggested texts include Randy Mosher’s Tasting Beer - approximately $20)
• Beer Ingredients and Brewing Processes (Charlie Papazian’s “Complete Joy of Homebrewing” - approximately $20) and John Palmer’s “How to Brew” - approximately $25 - are excellent reads for this portion of the exam)
• Pairing Beer with Food (suggested texts include Garrett Oliver’s “Brewmaster’s Table” (approximately $20) and Mirella Amato’s online course on Beer and Food Pairing - $199)

The credentials are popular in industry, such as in taprooms and breweries, particularly for beer servers and bar managers, as well as salespeople and educators looking to affirm their understanding of beer in the industry.?

Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET)

The WSET might not be the first name that comes to mind for beer education, but it’s quickly making its mark in the field. Known as the world’s leading provider of wine and spirits education, the WSET has successfully applied its structured learning approach to beer, bringing the same comprehensive, step-by-step methodology that has made its wine and spirits programs so respected.

Founded in the 1960s, WSET stands out because it is, at its core, an education-first organization. Its courses are designed to build knowledge progressively, ensuring that learners develop a solid foundation before diving into more advanced concepts. The focus is on structured learning, with each level reinforcing and expanding upon previous knowledge.

To create its beer curriculum, WSET tapped into industry experts, collaborating closely with the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD), an organization that has been funding brewing research, publishing its own academic journal, and offering professional brewing and distilling courses for decades. This industry-backed approach ensures that WSET’s beer education is not only comprehensive and credible, but also aligned with real-world brewing science and industry practices.

The WSET currently offers two beer courses: Level 1 and Level 2. Both include a textbook, structured curriculum, and an instructor to guide you through the material. Each course ends with a multiple-choice exam. The courses are flexible, available both in-person and online, with the online versions offering interactive activities and learning opportunities you can complete from home.

• Level 1 is designed for beginners: those with little to no beer knowledge. It covers the fundamentals, helping students feel more confident in selecting, drinking, and understanding beer.
• Level 2 is aimed at those looking for a deeper dive into beer. This intermediate-level course explores ingredients, brewing processes, beer styles (over 50 are covered), storage, service, and food pairing in much greater detail.

Unlike the BJCP, which evaluates beers against style guidelines and competition standards, WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) focuses on assessing overall beer quality. The SAT provides a structured way to analyze and describe beer, breaking down appearance, nose, palate and conclusions into distinct components. It also includes a comprehensive tasting lexicon, helping students build vocabulary and connect sensory attributes to brewing choices. For those who have completed WSET Wine or Spirits certifications, the value of a consistent, structured tasting method will already be familiar.?

All WSET beer instructors come from beer industry backgrounds and must pass WSET’s rigorous Educator Training Program. This ensures that instructors not only have deep knowledge of beer but also strong teaching skills to effectively guide students through the material.

While the WSET was originally designed for industry professionals, it has also gained a strong following among beverage enthusiasts who want to deepen their knowledge. Many students appreciate WSET’s structured approach, particularly the textbook and course activities, which provide a clear, step-by-step learning path. The designated course materials are designed to start from the basics and build knowledge progressively, without unnecessary information, making it a straightforward and efficient way to learn what truly matters.

Choosing the Right Beer Education Program

The best program for you depends on where you are in your beer journey and what you want to achieve.

• If you’re passionate about judging beer in competitions and want to refine your style assessment skills, the BJCP is a fantastic choice.
• If you’re working in the beer industry and want to demonstrate your expertise, the Cicerone program is a great fit.
• If you want to fast-track your beer knowledge, going from zero to a well-rounded understanding in the shortest time possible, then WSET is an incredible option.

Why Not Both? Beer Certifications Can Complement Each Other

These programs don’t have to be an either/or decision — they can work together to build your beer expertise.

• Want to become a Certified Cicerone? WSET Level 2 will cut your preparation time significantly by providing a structured foundation.
• Aiming for National or Master BJCP Judge status? Studying for Advanced Cicerone can be an excellent complement to deepen your knowledge.

Whatever path/s you take, learning about beer should be fun, rewarding, and suited to your goals.

Sign up for WSET Level 1 Beer?or WSET Level 2 Beer now and start your journey!

Author:

Stephen Staples DipWSET is Napa Valley Wine Academy’s Certified WSET Beer Instructor. In addition, he’s also an Advanced Cicerone and a National BJCP Judge.?