Certified Pommelier™
Become a Certified Pommelier™
The Certified Pommelier™ is a more advanced certification that covers more in depth knowledge and a blind sensory evaluation. The qualifying exam to become a Certified Pommelier™ is taken in person. Exams are offered throughout the US a few times a year, and there is always an exam opportunity the week of CiderCon®. Exam opportunities will be listed on this site as they become available. You must have passed the CCP Level One Certification to take the Certified Pommelier™ Exam.
Upcoming Events
The next Certified Pommelier™ exam will be held August 13, 2023 at Barebottle Brewing in San Francisco, California. The exam will take place from 8:00 - 11:45 AM Pacific.
We highly recommend in depth study prior to taking the Certified Pommelier™ Exam. You can purchase our Certified Pommelier™ Study Guide via Amazon.
There are multiple sensory analysis recordings available for purchase. In addition, new live sensory analysis webinars will be offered prior to each exam.
ACA members can take the exam at a discounted rate. You can find the ACA member discount code here!
About the Certified Pommelier™ Exam
The qualifying exam to become a Certified Pommelier™ is taken in person. Exams are offered throughout the US a few times a year, and there is always an exam opportunity the week of CiderCon®. Exam opportunities will be listed on this site as they become available.
Certified Pommeliers™ must have a fundamental understanding of the topics covered in Level 1, but at a deeper, more detailed level. The test is meant to be challenging. Studying is highly recommended.
Exam format: The exam consists of five types of questions:
- short answer
- fill in the blank
- matching
- essay
- sensory (based on blind cider evaluation)
Exam cost: The price is $275 for non-members or $200 for American Cider Association members. Members can find their discount code here. Exam purchase includes access to a pre-recorded introductory webinar teaching viewers about the sensory forms used for the exam. The webinar can be accessed at any point to prepare for your exam. There is a strong relationship between passing the sensory portion of the exam and viewing the exam prep sensory webinars.
Exam prep: We have multiple resources available for those preparing for the Certified Pommelier™ exam including:
Certified Pommelier™ Study Guide
The American Cider Association released the official study guide to be used to prepare for the exam to become a Certified Pommelier™ in March 2023. The study guide includes everything that will be covered during the theory portion of the Certified Pommelier™ Exam.
Those interested in preparing for the exam can purchase the new textbook on Amazon.com.
Sensory Analysis Webinars
Sensory analysis is an integral part of becoming a Certified Pommelier™. Sensory analysis uses your senses to identify the properties of a cider, including the appearance, aroma, and palate. In order to aid in the development of your sensory analysis skills we have several pre-recorded sensory analysis webinars available to purchase.* In addition, we host several live sensory analysis webinars each year. Upcoming live sensory analysis webinars will be announced on this page.
*Please note that ciders from different years or canning runs may have different sensory attributes. Also, ciders must be purchased separately from webinars. We have included links on where ciders can be purchased.
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Artifact Cider Project - May 2023
The Slow Down and By Any Other Name ciders in the webinar can be purchased from Artifact Cider Project.
Are you an ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.
Price: $30
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Sensory Webinar with Ploughman Cider - Fall 2022
The Dornick and Stayman Winesap ciders in the webinar can be purchased from Ploughman Cider.
Are you an ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.
Price: $30
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Phograph Ciders - April 2022
You can purchase 4-packs of the Harvest Cider Un-Sweet and the Harvest Cider Semi-Sweet from the Phonograph Harvest Ciders website.
Price: $10
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Stormalong & Eden Ciders - 2021
The Ashmead's Kernel and Yarlington Mill ciders can be purchased as part of the Heirloom Variety Pack from Stormalong Cider. The Peak Bloom and Deep Cut ciders can be purchased from Eden Cider.
Price: $20
Meet Our Cerified Pommeliers™
Meet the folks from around the country and the world who have successfully passed the Certified Pommelier™ exam. Check out their bios on our Certified Pommeliers™ page to learn more about them, where they're from, and why their passionate about cider.
Contact Us
Have questions about becoming a Certified Pommelier™?
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