Chances are you like drinking beer, but don't really know much about it.
Sure, you can tell the difference between a Budweiser and mocha porter, and you might know that you prefer a hoppy IPA over a malty stout. Heck, your palate might even catch onto the spicy notes of a Belgian yeast. Most likely, however, that's the extent of your beer repertoire.
That's exactly why you go to a beer bar. The brew-loving staff makes it a point to help customers expand their palates.
The crew at one of Fort Lauderdale's busiest beer bars just made themselves official, the entire staff at Laser Wolf just completed step one of the Cicerone Certification Program.
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The staff completed the Certified Beer Server test, which was taken through an online website. It is a 60 question multiple choice exam. To pass, you must get a score above 75 percent.
Luckily -- and not unexpectedly -- everyone passed on the first try.
"We did it just to test ourselves; to make sure we know what we're talking about," said co-owner Jordan Bellus. "The next step is Certified Cicerone."
Bellus and the crew hope to take the test for Certified Cicerone in the next six months. Obviously, that test is more intensive. It includes a written exam with short answer and essay questions along with tasting and demonstration sections.
There are less than 1,000 Certified Cicerones in the United States.
To Bellus the certification is like any other industry's continuing education -- a necessary part of growing in the field. But the overall goal is to pass that knowledge on to customers.
"I think a lot of people don't really know much about [beer]," he said, "And a lot don't know what style they like. So, it's nice to teach people about different beers."
If you're looking to try out some new brews, Laser Wolf is located at 901 Progresso Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-667-9373, or visit laserwolf.com.
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