Andrew Van Til Achieves First Ever Master Cicerone Certification

Andrew Van Til, Account Manager for CKL Corporation, which comprises Imperial Beverage, Estate Wines, Leone Imports, Elite Brands Michigan and Elite Brands USA, has achieved Master Cicerone™. Van Til is the only person to have achieved such designation.

Cicerone, a term referring to the level of knowledge in selecting, acquiring and serving today’s wide range of beers, is a counter to the term Sommelier, referencing one’s knowledge of wines. A Master Cicerone ™, is a tested, proven expert in the brewing, selection, flavors, types/styles and distinction of beers. A three level process, which incorporates “Certified Beer Server,” “Certified Cicerone ™,” and “Master Cicerone ™,” is unparalleled in the rigidity of requirements and syllabus at all levels. Master Cicerone ™ requirements include completion of two previous courses (listed above), examination by a panel of industry experts, along with essay, taste tests, oral examination, demonstrations, and oral tasting and descriptions with one or more examiners.

"The Master Cicerone exam was a rigorous test of beer knowledge that included 8 hours of written exam, 2 hours of oral exam and 2 hours of beer tasting and evaluation. To become a Master Cicerone, a candidate needed an average score of 85% across all three areas,” explains Ray Daniels, Director of the Cicerone Certification Program. "The Master Cicerone exam is designed to assess the full depth and breadth of professional beer knowledge and skill--from the making of malt to the matching of beer with food."

To date, the Cicerone Certification Program has given more than 1000 exams across the three levels of the program. Nearly 800 individuals have earned the first level title of Certified Beer Server and 75 individuals have achieved the title of Certified Cicerone ™. Van Til was one of seven beer industry professionals who took the Master Cicerone™ exam and the only one who passed.

Van Til has been an employee of CKL Corporation since August, 2007. His responsibilities include executing a proven sales process, managing accounts and special event development and execution. “Andrew’s recent achievement is certainly a milestone! Even as tremendous an achievement this is for him, it is equally so for our company. CKL is incredibly proud to employ the first Master Cicerone ™ in the United States,” said Joe Cekola, President and CEO.

CKL Corporation is the premier craft beer distributor in Michigan, as well as an international importer.

* * * CERTIFICATE TO BE PRESENTED BY RAY DANIELS OF THE CICERONE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AT 8PM ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 14 DURING THE 2010 MICHIGAN BREWERS GUILD ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT THE RADISSON PLAZA HOTEL, DOWNTOWN KALAMAZOO. * * *