Over a Pint Episode 22 with Cicerones Rob Landerman and Sam Wynne
Welcome welcome welcome to Over a Pint, the double deuce.
On this, our score and two, outing for Over a Pint, we sit down and share some nice nice beer with Sam Wynne and Rob Landerman of the Flying Saucer. These two fine gentlemen make up 50% of the living Certified Cicerones in Texas (not implying that there used to be more than four and some died, that’s just how it came out).
If you don’t know, a “Cicerone” is to beer as “sommelier” is to wine. Basically, these guys know their shit.
These guys are experts at food pairing, serving, glassware, aging, draft systems, style knowledge, history, brewing knowledge, and all things beer A to Z (I stole that last bit from Rob).
Ray Daniels, the cicerone Gandalf, put together the program in 2008. Previous to creating the Cicerone program, he was/is a professor at the Siebel Institute and is the author of several beer and brewing related books.
From the horses’ mouth:
Anyone can call themselves an expert on beer. But when consumers want great beer they need help from a server who really knows beer flavors, styles and brands. They also want to buy from a place that understands proper storage and serving so the beer they drink will be of the highest quality. Too often great beer is harmed by improper service practices.
In the wine world, the word “sommelier” designates those with proven expertise in selecting, acquiring and serving fine wine. Lately some beer servers have adopted the title “beer sommelier” to tie into the credibility of the wine world. But anyone can call themselves a beer sommelier regardless of knowledge or experience. And while some will be highly skilled, the only way to demonstrate that objectively is through independent testing of knowledge and tasting ability. The Cicerone Certification Program offers that independent assessment and certification so that industry professionals—as well as consumers—can be sure of the knowledge and skills possessed by current and prospective beer servers.
For more info, there is a great interview with Ray here.
Rob and Sam are currently “flexing their Cicerone muscle” at the Flying Saucer by planning beer tastings with food pairings (much like the one here) and with their regular “Randall” concoctions. As mentioned in the video, sounds like they have some cool stuff coming up.
Rob also flexed some “Cicerone muscle” on the second recording of the Knockin Em Back podcast.
Mainly, APPRECIATE THIS. These guys learned a lot and are very valuable resources and additions to our local beer community. And they are just plain nice guys, too.
In the video Sam cracked open a nice bottle of Lost Abbey Devotion, a Belgian Pale. If you have one you re ready to open (don’t sit on that shit too long) join us Over a Pint.
Sorry for the lack of photos. The original photographs we took got lost. Sorry, Sam and Rob for making you guys pose for some.
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