Posts Tagged ‘CCP Events’

For the first time, take the Certified Pommelier™ exam in Sydney, Australia, on the 14th of October!

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 that a Certified Pommelier™ Exam will be held at Sydney Cidery in Sydney, Australia. The exam will take place on Wednesday, 14th October 2026. The exam will begin promptly at 9:00 AM.

*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.)

A discount code is available for ACA members who want to take the test. 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 workshops available on the ACA’s website or a regularly scheduled webinar. Access to pre-recorded webinars and registration for upcoming workshops are 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 exam registration fee is $350 USD. Current members of the ACA can register at a discounted rate of $250 USD using the discount code available here.  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 to retake the exam is $175 for non-members and $125 for current ACA members.

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 (open to all) 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. To aid in developing your sensory evaluation skills and to 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. Additional videos can be found by subscribing to the Certified Cider Professional YouTube Channel.

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 take the exam, and when checking in, you must provide a photo ID that verifies your age and identity.

When will we receive our graded exams? Exams are not returned to candidates; you will be notified of whether you have passed about 6 weeks after 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.

What is the grade needed for passing? 60% of the possible points for sensory evaluation and 70% for theory

Certified Pommelier™ Award of Distinction will also be awarded to those who pass either exam in the upper percentile, 85% or above, and Sensory 75% or above.

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.

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 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 at check-in for the exam must match the name on the registration.

What happens if I cannot attend my registered exam? Please see the Exam Rescheduling, Timelines, and Fees section of 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.

When can I register for the exam?  Exam registration is open until 14 days before the posted exam date. 

How can I contact the organizer with any questions? Please contact Director of Education Jennie Dorsey at jennie@ciderassociation.org.

What can I bring into the event? Bringing a personal water bottle is recommended for both sections of the exam. 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 Director of Education Jennie Dorsey at jennie@ciderassociation.org prior to registering for the exam if you wish to request special accommodations.

Is the Certified Pommelier™ Exam available in my area? Certified Pommelier™ exams are held periodically throughout the year at various locations. Please check our current exam schedule to find an exam suitable for you. 

How many Certified Pommeliers™ are there currently? You can find the current number of Certified Pommelers here.

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 that includes an instructional video, a study guide, and access to an online exam HERE.