For Wayne Gentry, being knowledgeable about beer is not just a part of his job; it’s his passion. Gentry, manager of Buffalo Wild Wings on Old Eastwood Road, is working to become a certified cicerone.

The goal of the Cicerone Certification Program is to educate and certify beer professionals to elevate the beer experience for consumers, according to the Craft Beer Institute, which administers the title. The program was founded by Ray Daniels, a longtime home brewer, beer author and festival and event organizer. Prior to starting Cicerone, Daniels worked for nine years at the Brewers Association, the trade group for small brewers throughout the country.

The program offers three levels of certification: certified beer server, certified cicerone and master cicerone. Each level of certification requires extensive written and taste testing. Already a certified beer server, Gentry has been working for the past six months to acquire the certified cicerone level.

“People want an authentic experience when it comes to beer,” Gentry said. “They like knowing what they are buying and they like to talk about their options. I am now able to talk to our guests about their likes and dislikes, and I can lead them down the right path when searching for a new beer.”

To learn more about the cicerone certification program, click here.

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