Alumnus Teaches Beer Literacy 101

For a lot of people, a nice cold glass of beer is the reward after a hard day’s work. For Ryan Daley ’02, one of 20 Master Cicerones in the world, a refreshing brew is work. A cicerone (sis-uh-rohn) is to beer what a sommelier is to wine. How does one become a Master Cicerone?

“You drink lots of beer,” says Daley, a smile lighting up his face. “Lots and lots of beer.”

It also requires years of study and passing a difficult, two-day exam that consists of 12 essays, 12 oral examinations and eight tasting panels (pass rate on first attempt: 8%). After earning a degree in business administration, the Buffalo, New York, native began his career in the beer industry on the marketing side – but, as he started to acquire his cicerone certifications, he wanted to know everything he could about craft beers.

Ryan Daley

“I like to try new things, visit new places, meet new people,” he says. “In the process, you kind of reveal yourself to yourself, if you will. Beer is no different.”

A senior educator with the Brewers Collective, the craft beer division of Anheuser-Busch, Daley trains employees, sales reps, bartenders, wholesalers and anyone else who needs to know more about Anheuser-Busch’s 21 craft brewery partners, which include Goose Island, Elysian, Golden Road and Kona Brewing Co.

“The translation of the word cicerone is ‘a knowledgeable and learned guide,’” says Daley. “It’s about somebody guiding someone else into, and through, the world of beer.”

And that world is getting bigger and more sophisticated all the time.

Here are Daley’s five tips to get more enjoyment out of your next cold one.

Check the “best by” or “bottled on” date before purchasing. “Beer is a perishable product, so the flavor is going to degrade over time. People don’t necessarily think of beer as something that’s going to go bad, but it does.”

Refrigerate quickly. “Time, temperature and light are three big enemies of beer quality. Don’t let it sit in your trunk. Heat will really accelerate the aging process.”

Use your favorite glassware at room temperature or slightly chilled (never frozen). “A few things happen when you pour a beer: First, you’re able to appreciate the appearance of it. A well-poured beer is beautiful. Second, you let out a lot of the carbon dioxide, which is going to release aromatics and enhance the flavor perception. And third, less CO2 makes it less filling.”

Ask for a recommendation. “There are so many different styles of craft beer and so much information, it can be intimidating. Don’t be afraid to ask the bartender or waitstaff questions.
If they’re well trained, they should be able to guide you to a beer you like.”

Get out of your comfort zone. “Explore, explore, explore. The world of beer is so vast that, even if you have one or two experiences that might not fit your palate, just keep the adventure going because you’re going to find some new ones you really like.”