THE Beer & Cider Academy has awarded the UK’s first ‘pommelier’ (cider sommelier) accreditation.
Drinks educator and writer Jane Peyton, who is already an accredited beer sommelier, gained the qualification, which was launched by the Beer & Cider Academy in January 2018 and involves passing three courses before sitting an assessment where a range of different styles of cider are blind tasted and must be correctly described and identified; cider advocacy and cider and food matching are also part of the assessment process.
The pommelier qualification is said to be the first of its kind in the world and “reflects the growing sales demand for cider”.
Peyton said: “Anyone who makes, markets and retails cider should send their staff for pommelier training.
“It gives people the ability to understand, describe and advocate what they are selling.
“Educated staff are more effective staff.”
