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 Level 1 CCG to take the Certified Pommelier Exam.
Upcoming Events
ACA Welcomes New Certified Pommelier™, Industry Veteran Nicole LeGrand Leibon
The American Cider Association is thrilled to announce that Nicole LeGrand Leibon has passed the Certified Pommelier™ exam. Deeply experienced in cider, from orchard to…
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ACA Announces Release of New Certified Pommelier Textbook
The American Cider Association is very pleased to announce the release of its new textbook for candidates preparing for the exam to become a Certified…
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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 will soon be available in some international locations as well. And there is always an exam held during the week of the ACA’s annual conference, CiderCon®. Exam dates and locations 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.
The exam consists two parts:
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A written theory exam with short answer and essay questions
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A two-flight cider evaluation exam
For more exam information please review our Frequently Asked Questions.
Exam cost: The price is $350 for non-members or $250 for American Cider Association members. Members can find their discount code here. Please review our Terms & Conditions prior to registering for a Certified Pommelier Exam.
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. 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.
Those interested in preparing for the exam can purchase the textbook on Amazon.com. It is also available at all of Amazon’s international sites.
Additional Study Aids
We have multiple resources available for those preparing for the Certified Pommelier exam including:
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 and to help you prepare the sensory portion of the CP exam, 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.
While the ciders used in the webinar are not required to be purchased to attend the webinar, we have found that practicing sensory along with the certified instructors can be very beneficial in preparing for the sensory portion of the exam. Ciders must be purchased separately from webinars. Links for purchasing cider are included in the individual webinar.
*For all pre-recorded webinars, it is recommended to check on the availability of the ciders featured PRIOR to purchasing the webinar.
*Please note that ciders from different years or canning runs may have different sensory attributes.
Pathway to Pommelier Webinar Recordings
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with ABAVAS - October 2024
The Grapefruit and Secret Garden Ciders ciders can be purchased from ABAVAS.
ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.
Price: $30
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Albemarle CiderWorks - September 2024
The Wickson and Dabinett & Harrison ciders can be purchased from Albemarle CiderWorks.
ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.
Price: $30
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Brooklyn Cider House - June 2024
The Bone Dry and Rosé ciders can be purchased from Brooklyn Cider House.
ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.
Price: $30
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Meriwether Cider - March 2024
The Foothills Semi-Dry & Uncharted Imperial can be purchased from Meriwether Cider.
Are you an ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.
Price: $30
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Haykin Family Cider - November 2023
The Dolgo Crabapple and Yarlington Mills ciders in the webinar can be purchased from Haykin Family Cider.
Are you an ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.
Price: $30
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Alma Cider - July 2023
The Semi Sweet and Rose ciders in the webinar can be purchased from Press then Press.
Are you an ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.
Price: $30
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
Rare Cider Series Webinar Recordings
Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Two Broads Ciderworks - December 2022
The limited release ciders from Two Broads Ciderworks are no longer available, but this is still a great practice webinar to review.
Price: $5
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 they're passionate about cider.
Haven't taken the Level 1 CCG Exam yet? Learn more about it now!
Contact Us
Have questions about becoming a Certified Pommelier?
Please fill out the form below to get in touch with Education Operations Manager Jennie Dorsey!
