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Resources & Links

This page presents more than one hundred links, files, books, and courses that can help candidates prepare for Cicerone exams of all levels. As they cannot all be listed on one page, we recommend that you use the drop-down menus below to sort the content to suit your needs if this has not already been done.

Please note that we include links to a number of independently prepared resources such as local classroom courses which the Cicerone Certification Program does not endorse or monitor. Cicerone assumes no responsibility for independent resources and users should take appropriate diligence in assessing them.

To become listed here, check our guidelines for independent training courses.

The Drunken Botanist - Amy Stewart

The Drunken Botanist, Amy Stewart explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol over the centuries.

Book, helpful for Learn more about the Master Cicerone level of certification.

Neurogastronomy - Gordon M. Shepherd

Leading neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd embarks on a paradigm-shifting trip through the "human brain flavor system," laying the foundations for a new scientific field: neurogastronomy.

Book, helpful for Learn more about the Master Cicerone level of certification.

The Basics of Water

All you need on water at this level is in this short description.

PDF, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

Beer Advocate: Tasting Beer Properly

This article from Beer Advocate gives a pretty good first look at tasting beer properly.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area III.

Zymurgy: Introduction to Homebrewing

Available free from the American Homebrewers Association. Simple introduction to brewing in magazine form. You can download a PDF of this after giving them your email address.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

Realbeer.com: When Your Beer Really Stinks

Regarding skunky flavors, here’s a piece that’s short and sweet.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area III.

The Complete Joy of Homebrewing

A classic of homebrewing. You can probably find a copy cheap at your local used book store or buy one new on Amazon for about $10.

Book, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Cicerone level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

MoreBeer: "Off" Flavors in Beer

While brewing oriented (excludes important server perspective) contains excellent descriptions of off flavors.

PDF, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area III.

American Craft Beer and Food: Perfect Companions

Call the Brewers Association (888-822-6273) and order a copy of their brochure called “American Craft Beer and Food: Perfect Companions” (Cost: $1).

PDF, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area V.

How to Brew: What is Malt?

A primer on malted barley.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

Briess: Introduction to Malting

An excellent introduction to malting (and a good site to look around, too).

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

Wikipedia: Introduction to Hops

Hops are used primarily as a flavoring and stability agent in beer, to which they impart bitter, zesty, or citric flavours.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

How to Brew: Additional Hop Information

Basic introduction to hops from How to Brew's website.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

How to Brew: Introduction to Yeast

Basic introduction to yeast from How to Brew's website.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

Michael Jackson's Great Beer Guide

For basic information about beer styles and culture you could also profit from reading Michael Jackson’ classic books, such as: Michael Jackson’s Great Beer Guide

Book, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Cicerone level of certification. in syllabus area II.

Yeast Lab: What is Yeast

A more sophisticated (but brief) introduction to yeast from Yeast Lab's website.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

Tasting Beer: An Insider’s Guide to the World’s Greatest Drink

We highly recommend Randy Mosher’s book, Tasting Beer. It discusses beer flavor in a professional way that is useful for anyone who works with beer. You can order it from Amazon.

Book, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification.Learn more about the Certified Cicerone level of certification.Learn more about the Advanced Cicerone level of certification.Learn more about the Master Cicerone level of certification. in syllabus area III.

Yeast Lab: Yeast Style Guide

This bit on different strains introduces the four broad groups of beer yeasts: ale, Belgian ale, lager and wheat.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area IV.

Wikipedia: Discussion of Flavor

To get some basic terms, start with the Wikipedia discussion of flavor. It does not mention the fact that recent research has identified new tastes, adding fat and carbonation to the basic tastes of sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami, and metallic.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area III.

Wikipedia: Three-Tier System

The three-tier system of alcohol distribution is the system for distributing alcoholic beverages set up in the United States after the repeal of Prohibition.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area I.

Draft Savvy

Overall draft issues.

PDF, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area I.

Presenting Draft Beer to the Customer

An article from Micromatic outlining common glassware-related service issues, preparation methods for three-sink cleaning systems, checking for beer-clean glassware, and the procedure for efficiently pouring a glass of beer. 

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area I.

Glastender

For important info about beer clean glassware, we strongly recommend pages 3 and 4 of this document. (Other pages are a bit more advanced.)

PDF, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area I.

Intox

Intox has information about the effects of alcohol and responsible serving that you may find useful.

Link, helpful for Learn more about the Certified Beer Server level of certification. in syllabus area I.
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