My Road to Cicerone®: Jon Lakoduk of The Tap Room

Jon Lakoduk is a Certified Cicerone^® from North Dakota—one of just a handful in the state! Here he shares a bit about how becoming a Certified Cicerone helped him get into the beer industry.

1. Where do you work now and what do you do there?
   I am the sole owner of The Tap Room located in historic downtown Minot, North Dakota. In addition to being the manager, I am also the draft technician, janitor, counselor, HR specialist, and…well, you get the idea.
2. What industry were you working in when you started preparing for the Certified Cicerone exam?
   I was working in the logistics industry when I began studying for the exam. As with many small business owners, I’m maintaining my day job while working my labor of love at night. Hopefully, logistics becomes a short-term gig, so I can devote more time to The Tap Room and family time.
3. How did you first hear of the Cicerone Certification Program?
   I believe it was an ad or article in The New Brewer in late 2010 or early 2011 when I was involved in a local brewery upstart that was later dissolved.
4. Why did you choose to pursue Cicerone certification?
   I saw the value in gaining a recognized title in the industry, opposed to having to demonstrate my knowledge and skills when applying for industry positions. The value increases each day as more beer professionals earn the title and contribute time to demonstrate what it is to be a Certified Cicerone.
5. Explain how earning your certification helped you break into the beer industry.
   Becoming a Certified Cicerone gave me an industry-recognized credential demonstrating that I have a specified level of beer knowledge. It made the business plan and funding much easier, and also gave comfort to the previous owners that North Dakota’s only 100% craft beer bar was in the hands of a dedicated beer professional.
6. Describe your study process. How did you prepare for the exam?
   I studied for somewhere around three years before attempting the exam. The closest exam location is eight hours away in Minneapolis; I wanted to be sure I covered as much as possible before making the trip. I guess I was fortunate enough to injure myself out of work for five weeks prior to the exam.I spent that entire stretch of time reviewing and reading The Oxford Companion to Beer, which I would not recommend reading it cover to cover unless you are fairly hardcore nerd; it is much better served as a reference to expand on additional topics. I started listening to a few beer podcasts, some very educational and some very entertaining, some both. Shout out to the folks at The Beerists podcast for the “colorful” beer descriptions.
7. Were there any areas of study that you became particularly interested in while preparing for the Certified Cicerone exam?
   I was already a homebrewer prior to studying, however I found myself becoming more interested in bourbon. I was especially interested in anything but beer after the exam—it was one of the most difficult exams I have taken.
8. What are your greatest strengths now that you’ve earned Certified Cicerone?
   My greatest strength is connecting with consumers that are craft-curious and seem eager to learn about beer. I am lucky enough to have my own establishment in which to lead classes at present—I had been teaching at a local kitchen supply store in the past.
9. In your opinion, how valuable is it for those looking to get into the beer industry to earn Cicerone certification?
   As I said previously, it is wonderful to have a program that focuses on so many sides of beer brewing, handling, and service. I believe it is absolutely essential for anyone looking to move into in the beer industry or move up in the sales/marketing segment to earn the title, especially beverage buyers, culinary professionals, and industry educators, etc.
10. What advice do you have for Certified Beer Servers who are looking into taking the Certified Cicerone exam?
    You can’t over-study for the exam. The amount of knowledge required in both breadth and depth is immense in the three hours you have to complete the written portion. Find someone you trust to buy fresh beer and serve it to you in the proper manner blind. Find a study group and learn about how others experience the same beer. Listen to beer podcasts. Don’t forget to do the off-flavor kit at least twice prior to your exam.