ACA Welcomes 18 People to the Growing Ranks of Certified Pommeliers Following CiderCon® 2025 Exam

By Woodley Smith | March 26, 2025 |

As cider’s popularity continues to grow and an increasing number of producers and styles enter the market, more professionals and enthusiasts are deepening their expertise through certification.

The American Cider Association (ACA) is pleased to announce that 18 individuals successfully passed the recent Certified Pommelier exam held at CiderCon® 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. The following individuals join a growing community of cider experts dedicated to elevating the industry: Yakira Batres from Bauman’s on Oak kitchen crew, cidermaker Jenna Boucher from Two Blokes Cider, cidermaker Marcio Buffalo from Mountain West Hard Cider, taproom manager Dylan Ford Pitcher from Lost Generation Brewing Company, cidermaker Alex Gill from Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, cidermaker Abram Goldman-Armstrong from Alde Sider, Megan Hereford owner and co-founder of Daring Wine & Cider Company, cidermaker Kia Hitt from Angry Orchard Cider House, general manager of Bauman’s on Oak Chris Leimena, Gabriela Muñoz who wears many hats at Keepsake Cidery, Jason Schmink owner of Oak Tree Orchards, cidermaker Eli Shanks from Western Cider, marketing director for brand partnerships Marina Sumrada from Schilling Cider, founder of Blind Bear Beverages Claire Trindle, quality assurance manager Sadie Wagnell from Schilling Cider, owner and cidermaker Christine Walter of Bauman’s Cider, and cider enthusiasts Matt Hart and Ian McPherson.

“We are so proud to welcome these new Certified Pommeliers to our vibrant community of experts elevating the appreciation and understanding of cider,” says ACA Director of Education and Program Development Jennie Dorsey. “Each new member brings with them the stories of orchards, the craftsmanship of cidermakers, and the passion of enthusiasts that makes our community thrive. We are very excited to see what the future holds and the new heights that our community can reach together.”

The ACA originally launched its Certified Cider Professional (CCP) program to equip industry leaders with the expertise to navigate cider’s rich diversity with confidence. Increasingly the program is gaining popularity with food and beverage professionals wanting to set themselves apart from their peers with exceptional skills, deep knowledge, and a commitment to hospitality.

“We know that top dining experiences are built on knowledgeable, confident service, and cider deserves to be part of that conversation,” says ACA CEO Monica Cohen. “Our Certified Cider Professional program ensures that food and beverage professionals have the expertise to showcase cider’s full potential. With cider pairings, we know the dining experience for guests are elevated.”

More about the Certified Cider Professional Program and Upcoming Opportunities

The CCP program is designed to educate those on the front-line of cider sales, making it the world’s most comprehensive and in-depth cider appreciation program for food and beverage professionals worldwide.

The CCP program begins with a Level 1 Certified Cider Guide (CCG) designation to help industry professionals develop a fundamental understanding of cider. The Level 2 Certified Pommelier (CP) designation takes it a step further by encouraging cider professionals to think critically and showcase a higher level of understanding of the elements of cider. The rigorous testing process consists of four types of questions, including short answer, fill in the blank, essay, and blind sensory–which is based on tasting.

The ACA is dedicated to ensuring that all information tested on the exam is made accessible to anyone who desires to learn. To that end, the ACA released a textbook in March of 2023 to help candidates prepare to take the exam with just one comprehensive resource. The second edition of the textbook was released in March of 2024 to present a more global view of the cider industry as well as including new sections covering important emerging sectors such as low and no-alcohol products.The textbook is available for purchase through Kindle Direct Publishing. Additionally, the ACA offers sensory analysis practice webinars and a Facebook study group continuously updated with resources for exam candidates. Interested candidates can find links to all Certified Pommelier resources on the ACA website.

For those interested in attaining their Certified Pommelier designation, there are several upcoming exams to choose from:

Contact the ACA’s Director of Education and Program Development Jennie Dorsey if you have questions about the Certified Cider Professional program or are interested in taking either the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide or Level 2 Certified Pommelier exams. You can also learn more at https://ciderassociation.org/certification.

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