First-Ever Master Cicerone™ Named

Highest Distinction in Beer Expertise Earned by Michigan Distributor Representative

Chicago – December 8 – The Cicerone Certification Program™ today announced awarding of the first-ever Master Cicerone™ certification to Andrew Van Til, Account Manager at Elite Brands Michigan, a division of CKL Corporation. Van Til earned the certification through a series of exams culminating with two days of intense written and oral questioning about beer styles, draft systems, beer evaluation, brewing technology and beer and food pairing given November 5 & 6.

Van Til becomes the first person to earn the Master Cicerone title—the third and top level of the Cicerone Certification Program. Founded in 2007, the program tests and certifies beer expertise similar to the wine world’s Master Sommelier program. The Master Cicerone exam included 8 hours of written questions, 2 hours of oral questions and 2 hours of beer tasting and evaluation. Candidates needed a score of 85% across all three areas to pass.

"During the Master Cicerone exam, Van Til distinguished himself with his knowledge of all aspects of beer and his skill in tasting beer and in managing draft beer systems," said Ray Daniels, Director of the Cicerone Certification Program.

Van Til’s professional career has provided him with excellent preparation for the Master Cicerone exam. He has sold directly to consumers in an off-premises store, brewed beer and educated consumers in a brewpub setting and represented a large portfolio of imported and domestic beers through his work for Elite Brands Michigan.
To date, the Cicerone Certification Program has given more than 1000 exams across the three levels of the program. Approximately 800 individuals have earned the first level title of Certified Beer Server and about 75 individuals have achieved the title of Certified Cicerone™. Van Til was one of seven beer industry professionals who took the Master Cicerone exam and the only one who passed.

The knowledge required for the Master Cicerone certification is outlined in the program’s Master Syllabus which can be viewed at www.cicerone.org. The website also includes a free 10-question sample exam that allows anyone to assess their Cicerone aptitude.

The Cicerone Certification Program is a service of the Craft Beer Institute, the Chicago-based beer and brewing education organization. The program is directed by brewer, author and beer educator Ray Daniels. A variety of breweries, beer distributors and retailers sponsor the program. CKL Corporation includes Imperial Beverage, Estate Wines, Leone Imports, Elite Brands Michigan and Elite Brands USA.
* Master Cicerone™, Certified Cicerone™ and Cicerone Certification Program™ are trademarks of the Craft Beer Institute, a Chicago-based beer and brewing education organization.