Feb 24, 2024
In my time in and around the beer industry, I’ve heard too many people underestimate the Cicerone Certification Program, a worldwide standard for recognizing people who are experts in beer sales and service.
While I haven’t taken it myself, I understand the rigorous studying that’s required to pass the written and tasting exam to become a Certified Cicerone, just the second level of a four-part process to become a Master Cicerone. And even those who take the test seriously aren’t guaranteed to pass it the first time. But don’t take my word for it, let’s hear from an expert.
In this episode, Jen Blair, who recently became a
Master Cicerone—the highest level of certification and a title just
28 people in the world hold today—shares details from her almost
decade-long journey to reach this pinnacle. If you’re interested in
becoming a Cicerone, this episode is for you. But even if you’re
not planning to take these tests, you’ll learn so much about what
it means to explore beer, its history, and all the sensory
experiences it can provide. There’s a personal side to it all, too,
and you’ll hear from Jen about the importance of learning from your
mistakes, honoring deadlines, and creating realistic
schedules.
As a straight-A student, Jen thought she knew how to study for the
Cicerone tests, but realized that to pass even the first level exam
she had to go beyond memorization and fully master the material.
Throughout the episode, Jen shares some of the shifts in mindset
she had to make to cross the Master Cicerone finish line, including
relearning how to learn and strengthening her weak areas instead of
ignoring them, like memorizing commercial styles despite
disagreeing with the requirement. Listen in until the end to hear
about the inspiration behind her newsletter, get tips
on palate training and health, as well as what Jen is focused on
now that she’s completed her Cicerone journey.