DURANGO, Colo.– Steamworks Brewing Co. Co-assistant General Manager Steve “Duder” Kammerer has taken the “next step” in the national Cicerone (sis-uh-rohn) Certification Program, achieving “Certified Cicerone®,” a title held only by approximately 400 in the country.
Kammerer now joins Steam Team Brewers Ken Martin and Spencer Roper and fellow Co-assistant General Manager Dave Woodruff as Certified Cicerones®. Martin, Roper and Woodruff earned their credentials in December 2011. The ultimate certification is “Master Cicerone®,” with only four in the country having earned that distinction.
A Cicerone is to craft beer what a sommelier is to wine: it designates those with proven expertise in selecting, acquiring and serving a wide range of beers. The Cicerone Certification Program offers independent assessment and certification indicating to industry professionals and consumers the knowledge and skills possessed by the Certified Cicerone®.
Steamworks Brewing Co. embraced the program early in 2011with the goal to help ensure that expectations are met when patrons enjoy a craft beer at the brewpub. To date, 45 of the brewpub’s servers and beertenders have earned their “Certified Beer Server” credentials, the first step in the Cicerone Certification Program.
“We congratulate Steve for his accomplishment. It’s a tough exam,” said Kris Oyler, Steamworks co-founder. “Education is an important part of the Steamworks culture, so the Cicerone Certification Program has provided us with a structure to help ensure our staff members have top-notch skills, which they can then share with our patrons.”
A Certified Cicerone® has shown comprehensive knowledge of beer storage, sales and service; beer styles and culture; beer tasting and flavors; brewing ingredients and processes; and pairing beer with food through a written exam, and tasting and demonstration components. Kammerer, along with Martin, Roper and Woodruff, is now eligible to earn his Master Cicerone®, which, in addition to a written component, will require examination before a panel of industry experts.
“Anyone can call themselves a beer expert, but many consumers don’t know the difference between a pale ale and a lager, or a stout and a porter – let alone what flavors are found in a Hefeweizen or Kölsch,” said Oyler. “When consumers want just the right beer, they usually need assistance from a server who really knows beer flavors, styles and brands. A Cicerone is qualified to assist.”
The Cicerone Certification Program was launched by the Brewer’s Association in 2008. To learn more about the curriculum and certification, visit www.cicerone.org.
