My Road to Cicerone®: Paul Pyne

Paul Pyne is a Certified Cicerone^® from Vancouver, Canada. Here he shares how achieving Cicerone certification helped him kickstart a successful career in the beer industry.

1. Where do you work now and what do you do there?
   Currently, I hold a few different positions: 
   Territory Manager Outside Sales for Central City Brewers + Distillers 
   Drinksmarter.ca - Owner/Operator Craft Beer Consulting / Education
   Simon Fraser University - Instructor Introduction to Brewing
2. What industry were you working in when you started preparing for the Certified Cicerone exam? 
   Hospitality/Restaurants
3. How did you first hear of the Cicerone Certification Program?
   While hosting an event at a Tap House I managed, there was a Certified Cicerone essentially entertaining the crowd with beer knowledge and tastings from the many selections we offered. He was kind enough to meet me for lunch and let me pick his brain.
4. Why did you choose to pursue Cicerone certification? 
   I had been contemplating studying wine and once I learned of Certified Cicerone I knew it was the direction I wanted to head in. 
5. Explain how earning your certification helped you break into the beer industry.
   It established credibility and showed my commitment to the industry. It opened doors to new opportunities with education/training that I hadn't even considered before.
6. Describe your study process. How did you prepare for the exam?
   I studied under Chester Carey (Canada's first Certified Cicerone) at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. Also studying at home and working my way through as many beer styles as possible with emphasis on its characteristics. I assisted with BJCP judging and events, and I began surrounding myself with beer-minded people and asking questions.
7. Were there any areas of study that you became particularly interested in while preparing for the Certified Cicerone exam? 
   Pairing with food. Not necessarily even the good pairings, it was the bad ones that blew my mind. How could two good things become bad when combined? I still love finding new combinations that have exciting reactions together. 
8. What are your greatest strengths now that you're a Certified Cicerone? 
   My ability to pass on the information to others. To share and converse about beer over beer with peers in the brewing world and not feel left in the dark. It's satisfying to stand in a room full of brewers and be able to engage and be involved in conversations about the process and the ingredients, as well as the more technical details. 
9. In your opinion, how valuable is it for those looking to get into the beer industry to earn Cicerone certification?
   It's extremely valuable. In an industry that is booming so quickly, and with the growth we've seen in Vancouver, there aren't enough experienced or qualified people to fill the positions, and those with certifications are going to set foot ahead of other applicants applying for the same roles. 
10. What advice do you have for Certified Beer Servers who are looking into taking the Certified Cicerone exam?
    Study in groups. You taste more beers and get more palates/minds involved, which leads to stimulating conversation about the sensory details. Four is a good number. Ask questions always. Hang out with brewers, offer to assist with a brew, see the process inside and out. 

Ready to get started? Learn more about the Certified Cicerone exam here!