Archive for July 2024

Interested in learning how to taste cider like a pro?

The American Cider Association is pleased to announce that we will be teaming up with Minneapolis Cider Co. to host a cider sensory workshop! Join us on Sunday, August 18 at 3:00 PM Central for an in person workshop!

Over the course of 2 hours, an expert Certified Pommelier will lead you on a guided tasting through two ciders and a food pairing. This hands on workshop will teach you the professional tips and tricks for understanding the elements of local and national ciders as well as give you a basic understanding of food and cider pairing. Light snacks included.

Come sip, swirl, and savor delicious ciders! Perfect for cider lovers at any level.

Must be 21 or over to attend.

Are you an ACA member? Find the member discount code in the Resource Hub.

Earn your Level 1 Certified Cider Guide accreditation and enjoy a tasting experience at France 44 on August 19 at 1:00 PM Central!

The American Cider Association is excited to collaborate with France 44 to host an in person workshop for the Certified Cider Professional Program Level 1 Certified Cider Guide. Participants will have the opportunity to complete the online certification exam immediatly after the training or on their own at a later date.

Cost per person is $189 which includes the in person training, instructor led tasting experience, a downloadable study guide, and access to the online certification exam. ACA members can contact Education Operations Manager Jennie Dorsey for the discount code to receive $50 off their registration.

This is a great opportunity for the Minnesota cider community to gather in person to network and earn their first level of cider certification. Registration to this event will also include a 15% discount to France 44 retail store and a celebratory cider on their roof following the event.

We would love to see anyone who sells cider, works in a tasting room or retail shop, chefs, sommeliers, cicerones, buyers, cidermakers, and anyone who loves cider. All are welcome to begin their cider education journey by adding this cider certification to their accreditations.

Location:

France 44, 4351 France Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Schedule:

• 1:00 – 4:00 PM Certified Cider Guide Workshop
• 4:00 – 5:00 PM Introductory to Sensory Analysis Tasting Training
• 5:00 – 6:00 PM Take the Online Certification Exam
• 6:00 – 7:00 PM Celebratory toast on the rooftop, networking, and retail discounts

Take the Certified Pommelier Exam at Minneapolis Cider Company on August 20, 2024!

Ready to take the next step in your professional development in the cider industry? If you have already passed the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide exam and are looking for that next challenge? Now is your chance! 

The American Cider Association is pleased to announce a Certified Pommelier Exam will be held at Minneapolis Cider Company, 701 SE 9th St., Minneapolis, MN 55414.

The exam will begin promptly at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

*Level 1 Certified Cider Guide certification is a prerequisite for taking the Certified Pommelier Exam. (Haven’t taken your Level 1 Certified Cider Guide Exam? Buy the bundle here! ACA Member discounts are available.)

There’s also a discount code available for ACA members for the Certified Pommelier Exam. You can find that code in our Resource Hub.

WHAT IS THE CERTIFIED POMMELIER EXAM? 

The American Cider Association’s mission is to grow a diverse and successful cider industry by providing valuable information, resources and services to our members and by advocating on their behalf. One way to fulfill this mission is through the Certified Cider Professional Program, a program aimed at educating the front-line of cider hospitality (distributors, retailers, bartenders and more!) while also welcoming journalists and serious cider enthusiasts. 

The exam for the  introductory level certification, Certified Cider Guide (CCG), is an online test that can be taken at any time. The exam for the more advanced second level of certification, Certified Pommelier, is only available in person. The exam consists of two parts, a written theory exam comprising short answer and essay questions and a blind sensory evaluation of a number of ciders. Passing the introductory level exam is a mandatory prerequisite to sitting for the Level 2 Certified Pommelier exam. 

Certified Pommeliers must have a fundamental understanding of all topics covered at the introductory level, but must also be able to think critically and demonstrate a deeper understanding of cider and the cider industry.

The topics covered in the exam are: 

• Apples, the Orchard & History
• Cider Making
• Flavor & Evaluation
• Cider Families
• Keeping & Serving
• Food & Cider
• Social Responsibility

The exam is meant to be challenging. The only  information necessary for successfully passing the theory section of the exam is contained in the Certified Pommelier Study Guide available on Amazon. To study for the evaluation section of the exam, candidates should consider attending one of the sensory analysis videos available through the ACA’s website or attend one of the regularly scheduled webinars.  Access to pre-recorded webinars and registration for upcoming live webinars is available directly through our website.

WHY BECOME A CERTIFIED POMMELIER? 

Cider is a beautifully nuanced beverage that is less well understood by most consumers. Having the knowledge and skills required to become a Certified Pommelier will equip you to better serve customers, enhance your standing in the beverage community, and give you a unique and valuable professional qualification. Being recognized as a Certified Pommelier will put you in the vanguard of advanced cider specialists in this ever growing category.

HOW MUCH DOES THE TEST COST? 

The registration fee for the exam is $350. Current members of the ACA can register at a discounted price of $250 by using the discount code in our Resource Hub. If a candidate sits for the exam but does not pass either section, or only passes one of the two sections, theory or sensory evaluation, they can resit for the section of the exam that they did not pass at a future date. The fee for retaking the exam is $175 for non-members and $125 for current members of the ACA.

Read Terms & Conditions before registering.

WHAT MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDY FOR THE EXAM?

• The Certified Pommelier Study Guide is available directly through Amazon. It is also available at all of Amazon’s international sites.This is the official study guide for the second level of the American Cider Association’s professional certification program. It contains all of the information needed to study for and pass the examination. No other reference materials are required.
• There is also a dedicated Facebook Group (that is open for all to join) with prep materials and in-depth peer conversations that many candidates have found useful. 
• Sensory evaluation is an important part of being a Certified Pommelier which is why we test your ability to accurately analyze the structural components, aromas, and flavors of a variety of ciders. In order to aid in the development of your sensory evaluation skills and understand the approach to testing them,  we have several pre-recorded videos available for purchase. In addition, we host several live sensory analysis webinars each year. You can access the videos and look for scheduled webinars here.

Frequently Asked Questions (Download the Frequently Asked Questions document.)

• Are there ID or minimum age requirements to sit for the event? YES. You must be of legal drinking age in the country where you sit for the exam, and when checking in at the exam you must provide a photo ID that will both verify your age and identity .
• Do I need to pass the Certified Cider Guide exam to take the Certified Pommelier exam? Yes.  Passing the introductory exam to become a Certified Cider Guide is a prerequisite. If you have not yet taken this exam, you can purchase a package which includes an instructional video, study guide, and access to an online exam HERE.
• How many Certified Pommeliers are there currently? You can find the current number of Certified Pommelers here.
• Is the Certified Pommelier Exam available in my area? Certified Pommelier exams are held periodically throughout the year and in a variety of locations. Please check our current exam schedule to find an exam suitable for you. 
• What can I bring into the event? You may bring only a water bottle into the exam space. Cell phones, smart watches, computers,  books or papers, and any and all other personal items must be left at a designated storage area in the exam room. Pencils will be provided, and spare paper will be available on request. Spit cups, and water will be provided during the evaluation exam. We encourage you to bring your own water bottle for the theory exam. Please contact the Cider Education Operations Manager, Jennie Dorsey at jennie@ciderassociation.org prior to registering for the exam if you wish to request special accommodations.
• How can I contact the organizer with any questions? Please contact Cider Education Operations Manager Jennie Dorsey at jennie@ciderassociation.org.
• When can I register for the exam?  Exam registration is open until 14 days before the posted exam date. 
• What happens if I cannot attend my registered exam? Please see Exam Rescheduling, Timelines and Fees in the Terms and Conditions Document for full details.  If you do need to cancel your registration, exam registration fees can be refunded up to 14 days before the exam. Please note that a $25 administration fee applies to any cancellation.
• Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn’t match the person who attends? Registrations are not transferable, so the name on the I.D. presented when checking in for the exam must match the name on the registration.
• How long does the test take? You are given 2 hours to complete the theory section of the exam and 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the sensory evaluation section.  There is a 15 minute break in between sections.
• Is there a tasting section on the test? Yes. You will be asked to evaluate six ciders in two flights, one flight that assesses your ability to distinguish between key structural elements and a second where you are asked to complete a full evaluation of three ciders using the Structured Sensory Analysis format. The possible aromas and flavors document will be supplied for use during the exam.
• What is the grade needed for passing? 60% of the possible points for sensory evaluation and 70% for theory
• When will we receive our graded exams? Exams are not returned to candidates, however you will be notified as to whether or not you have passed about 6 weeks from the exam date. If you did not pass a section of the exam, you may request a breakdown of your points by general topic to help you identify areas in which you could improve your score should you wish to retake the exam.

For the first time, the Certfied Cider Professional (CCP) Program is being taught in Japan!

The world’s finest cider education program will launch with a Level 1: Certified Cider Guide (CCG) classroom session and exam at Antenna America Kannai in Yokohama on Saturday 31 August. Leisurely run over the course of a day, this Level 1 CCG training has been developed specifically for those who work directly with consumers and trade customers, namely those working in retail and hospitality, importers, distributors, wholesalers and employees of cider producers. It is also the program for cider fans, aficionados and drinkers can showcase their extra weight of knowledge and passion. It is designed to enable participants to have a professional standard of knowledge and appreciation for different types of cider and how they are achieved, an approach to assessing cider and the different sensory qualities they have, and guidance on the best practice principles for serving, storing and selling.

Candidates will receive an email containing a downloadable study guide and a link to the online exam in advance of the workshop. The day itself will consist of a presentation of the materials from the study guide, with extra elaboration and, of course, the opportunity for questions. There will also be a guided sensory session of at least three ciders clearly demonstrating the key structural characteristics within cider, and utilizing a structured approach to their assessment.

The topics covered in Level 1 CCG are:

• Apples, Pears and Orchards
• Cider Production
• Families and Flavor
• Evaluating Cider
• Keeping and Serving
• Cider and Food
• Social Responsibility

Schedule

• 12:45 PM: Arrival & Check In
• 1:00 – 4:00 PM: Certified Cider Guide Presentation
• 4:00 – 5:00 PM: Tasting Experience
• 5:00 – 5:45 PM: Take the Online CCG Test (Bring your own laptop)