(Edited/updated post from 2019 from my personal social media pages)
On this day 10 years ago, November 19th of 2012, my knowledge was tested in a subject that I hold dear to my heart. On that date, I took an exam to earn the title of Certified Cicerone®. Although my results would not be revealed for another couple of months, I knew in my heart that the prestigious accolade would be awarded.
I had no way of ever knowing how this would eventually change the course of my life…
What started as a hobby quickly turned into passion (some might say "obsession" and they wouldn’t be wrong). I'm sure most of my family members and friends brushed my enthusiasm for beer as just another one of my fads that would eventually be forgotten like so many others. Boy, were they wrong!
In early 2012, I began to research the Cicerone Certification Program just in curiosity. By June’s end, I was a Certified Beer Server (first level of the program). Immediately, I began to investigate what the second level of certification consisted of and what study materials I would need. For the next 4 months, I studied every moment I could, missing out on family events, and boring my friends with all the beer talk. Then, it happened. Registration opened for the Certified Cicerone® examination at Stone Brewing Company and World Bistro in Escondido on November 19th, 2012. Without hesitation, I registered... And the cramming got serious!
Before I knew it, exam day was only a few days away. After locking myself in my room at the Comfort Inn for two days, reading, having a beer or two (of course!), and soaking up as much last-minute data as I could, Monday morning could not come soon enough! I walked into Stone Brewing Company with so much confidence that I wanted to share some with my fellow candidates. The confidence quickly turned to nerves and self-doubt as I waited for the results. It wouldn't be until early January when I received the news I had passed.
In a year, I went from struggling homebrewer to beer nerd to Certified. I still get chills down my spine when I think about who I shared the Certified title with at the time, and this is something that will never be taken away from me. NEVER!
Fast forward to current times and I have since been able to achieve the rank of Advanced Cicerone® (the third level certification) after a few attempts. Now the chills are even more intense to think who I share that with.
I wrote for Orange Coast Magazine (thanks to Gregory Nagel for recommending me and thank you Phil Metzger and Alan Gibbons for giving me that opportunity!) and also for Beer Paper L.A. (thank you, Dan!), conduct sensory panels and lectures under my beer persona Terms of Enbeerment, am an unofficial Brand Evangelist to OC Beer, and have been accepted by most as part of the beer industry.
Not bad for a mere enthusiast a decade ago, huh? The next step would be to attempt the fourth and final level of the Program: Master Cicerone®. To this I say... Challenge accepted! But it won’t be for a while, should I ever feel ready enough.
Thank you all who have supported my journey these past 10 years, whether from the start or at any point until now, especially my family (sisters, Mom, and Pops!). A special thanks to Patricia Soriano Barkenhagen from Bootlegger's Brewery for sponsoring me 10 years ago, allowing me to even take this exam in the first place! I blame you for this… And I’ll never forget to thank you every chance I get.
Lastly, to all my friends in the beer industry that accepted me as one of your own: thank you for welcoming me into your community and for giving me a sense of belonging and an identity. You know who you are!
Cheers!
-Gilbert "Charlie" Perez, Advanced Cicerone®