Advanced Cicerone case studies

Advanced Cicerone · Put your knowledge to work in context.

Advanced Cicerone is the third of four certification levels offered by the Cicerone Certification Program, introduced in 2015 to recognize individuals who have advanced their beer knowledge to an expert level. It is aimed at working beer professionals - brewers, beverage directors, distributors, educators and consultants - who need distinctive expertise in beer, strong sensory skills, and mastery of flavor vocabulary for both technical and consumer audiences. The Advanced Cicerone case studies are 5 cases and about 2,872 words.

Tap 7 Half-Foam at 1,500 Feet

You manage a 16-tap taproom at 1,500 ft elevation. Your house pale ale is carbonated to 2.6 volumes and served at 38°F through 10 ft of 3/16-in.

717 words, about 4 min 2

Kölsch Entry With Green Apple and Banana

You are head judge at a 600-entry competition using BJCP 2021 categories. An entry labeled 'Kölsch' is 5.4% ABV, 18 IBU, crystal clear, pale straw, and served at 45°F.

567 words, about 3 min 3

Green-Bottle Pilsner Complaint at a Chain Account

A regional chain reports that a 12-pack of your 4.2% ABV German-style Pilsner, packaged seven weeks ago in green bottles, tastes 'skunky' and 'buttery.' The same account's draft Pilsner, from a keg kept at 4°C and served through cleaned lines, tastes clean. The retail packs were stored in a warm back room at 24°C for the past three weeks.

537 words, about 3 min 4

Pale Ale Stuck at 1.020 Before a 400-bbl Order

A 15-bbl brewhouse is producing a 1.052 OG pale ale with a target of 78% apparent attenuation (FG 1.011). The last batch finished at 1.020 after four days, was crashed to 34°F, dry hopped at 2 lb/bbl for two days, and packaged.

498 words, about 2 min 5

Five Beers for a Four-Course Gastropub Dinner

A gastropub asks you to pair five beers with a four-course menu for a 60-guest dinner. Menu: raw oysters with mignonette; gochujang-glazed fried chicken; braised lamb shoulder with mint gremolata; dark chocolate tart with raspberry coulis.

553 words, about 3 min