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{\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.21.2509;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\qc\ul\b\f0\fs24 Beer Academy reveals the UK\rquote s first accredited Beer Sommeliers \ulnone\b0\par
The Beer Academy announced the names of the UK\rquote s first four officially accredited Beer Sommeliers at a dinner at Rocco Forte\rquote s Brown\rquote s Hotel in Mayfair, host to one of the best British beer lists in the capital.\par
\pard\sb100\sa100 Candidates were required to demonstrate their beer credentials in a stretching \i Viva voce\i0  with the Beer Academy\rquote s Chief Examiner, Dr George Philliskirk. George said \ldblquote Candidates must not only possess technical knowledge, they have to demonstrate the communications skills and passion to inspire people to discover more about beer. These new Beer Sommeliers are going to be at the vanguard of beer\rquote s renaissance.\rdblquote  See Notes to Editors for Qualification criteria.\par
The first four recipients of the Beer Academy\rquote s prestigious Beer Sommelier title, Peter Haydon, Steve Livens, Nigel Sadler and Alastair Scott, received the award from Beer Academy Director Simon Jackson. See Notes to Editors for biographical notes. \par
Simon said \ldblquote Beer is Great Britain\rquote s national drink but for too long it has been seen as a less sophisticated choice than wine. No longer. We are seeing a brewing resurgence in the UK with hundreds of breweries opening in the past decade and pubs, restaurants and hotels offering a wide range of beers to accompany their menus. Britain\rquote s beer lovers have an enormous thirst for knowledge and our Beer Sommeliers will help guide them through the dazzling array of beers that are now on offer.\rdblquote\par
\b Ends\b0\par
Photograph caption: Beer Academy Chief Examiner, Dr George Philliskirk (seated), with the new Beer Sommeliers. Left to right - Peter Haydon, Nigel Sadler, Alastair Scott, Steve Livens\par
More photographs can be downloaded from the {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "redir.aspx?C=973a49e344e247a6b12423452bdec8f9&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ibd.org.uk%2fevents%2fphoto-gallery%2f23%2fthe-beer-academy-beer-sommelier-accreditation-dinner%2f"}}{\fldrslt{\cf1\ul Beer Academy Website}}}\cf0\ulnone\f0\fs24  \par
For further information contact \par
Paul Hegarty \par
{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "redir.aspx?C=973a49e344e247a6b12423452bdec8f9&URL=mailto%3aPaul.k.hegarty%40googlemail.com"}}{\fldrslt{\cf1\ul Paul.k.hegarty@googlemail.com}}}\cf0\ulnone\f0\fs24\par
+44 (0)7808 096250\par
\ul\b Notes for Editors.\ulnone\b0\par
\ul\b Beer Sommelier Biographies\ulnone\b0\par
A love of pubs prompted \b Peter Haydon\b0  to give up a career in explosives to become a beer historian. A five year stint running the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) resulted in the success of the Society\rquote s long-running campaign for Progressive Beer Duty, and, job done, Peter left to join Meantime Brewing in 2002. Having done just about every job in the brewery Peter saw an opportunity to get more hands on when his local brewery was left minus a brewer, and in January 2011 he resumed his self-employed status brewing at the Florence in Herne Hill, South London. \par
\b Stephen Livens\b0  is a beer lover and microbiologist with over 20 years experience in the brewing industry, working with brewers around the world on quality issues connected with beer production and dispense. He is currently a Senior Policy Advisor in the Brewing Division of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) which represents the UK\rquote s brewing and pub sectors and whose brewing members account for 98% of UK beer production. Currently, Stephen is responsible for scientific and technical issues including food safety, product assurance, labelling and raw materials. One of Stephen\rquote s main priorities however is driving the BBPA\rquote s work to promote public awareness of the quality, diversity and naturalness of beer regardless of style or type. \par
\b Alastair Scott\b0  runs Catton Consultancy, a consultancy that helps hospitality businesses make more money by driving sales and converting sales more effectively to profit. Alastair gained his experience through brands such as Browns, All Bar One, Harvester, O\rquote Neill\rquote s and many unbranded gastro pubs, town and city pubs, and music driven venues. Alastair runs his own leased pub, the George, just outside Bristol, and so he understands clearly the day-to day pressures and challenges of the pub business. A guest writer for the Morning Advertiser and M&C report, he is also one of the Morning Advertiser\rquote s pub mentors. A regular speaker at industry conferences, he is a judge for BII licensee of the year and a visiting fellow at Birmingham City University.\par
\b Nigel Sadler\rquote s \b0 interest in beer and brewing started in the early '80's when he joined CAMRA to hunt down beer festivals and search out new brews. In 1985, he went on one of the first micro brewing courses to be run by Keith Thomas at Brew Lab. Whilst not actively brewing in those days, he maintained his interest in beer by reading, visiting breweries, attending festivals and completing brewing training courses, particularly those run by the Beer Academy which inspired his interest in matching beer with food. Three years ago, he left a career in the city to become a brewing consultant to an Essex based microbrewer helping win awards for both the beer and the business over a two year period. In April this year he became Operations and Commercial Manager for a 20 barrel Essex based microbrewery, Wibblers. In 2010 he set up Learn2Brew which offers one day training courses in craft brewing, which have already attracted over 60 delegates. Recently Nigel became a Trustee of SIBA, East Region.\par
\ul\b Beer Sommelier Qualification Requirements.\ulnone\b0\par
People who wish to become Beer Academy Accredited Beer Sommeliers must have passed the following:\par
\pard\fi-360\li720\sb100\sa100\tx720 The Beer Academy Advanced Course \par
Beer Academy 'How to judge beer ' Course \par
The British Institute of Inn keeping (BII) Award in Beer Cellar Quality (ABCQ) (for people working in the on trade only)\par
\pard\sb100\sa100 The applicant must also provide a Portfolio of Evidence demonstrating their practical competence in:\par
\pard{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf2\pnindent360{\pntxtb\'B7}}\fi-360\li720\sb100\sa100 Use of beer menus or other similar schemes at retail level \par
{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Use of beer and food pairings \par
{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}The use of beer range in retailing \par
{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Evidence of high beer retailing and image standards through POS, branded glassware, cellar hygiene standards and other relevant evidence\par
\pard\sb100\sa100 Applicants will be assessed in a viva voce with a Beer Academy examiner. The examination fee is \'a3150 +VAT. To apply, contact {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "redir.aspx?C=973a49e344e247a6b12423452bdec8f9&URL=mailto%3adan.cannas%40beeracademy.co.uk"}}{\fldrslt{\cf1\ul\b dan.cannas@beeracademy.co.uk}}}\cf0\ulnone\b0\f0\fs24\par
\ul\b The Beer Academy\ulnone\b0\par
The Beer Academy is an educational body that was founded by a small group of beer enthusiasts in 2003 to help people understand, appreciate and enjoy beer sensibly. \par
To date over 10,000 people have attended Beer Academy courses and tasting events such as the BBC Good Food Show, the Great British Beer Festival and the British Museum as well as in pubs and bars up and down the country.\par
The Academy offers a range of courses and qualifications ranging from a 90 minute tutored introduction to beer through to the two day Advanced Course for serious beer connoisseurs. Full details of all Beer Academy Courses and events can be found {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "redir.aspx?C=973a49e344e247a6b12423452bdec8f9&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.beeracademy.co.uk"}}{\fldrslt{\cf1\ul www.beeracademy.co.uk}}}\cf0\ulnone\f0\fs24  or follow us on Twitter {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "redir.aspx?C=973a49e344e247a6b12423452bdec8f9&URL=https%3a%2f%2ftwitter.com%2fTheBeerAcademy"}}{\fldrslt{\cf1\ul @TheBeerAcademy}}}\cf0\ulnone\f0\fs24  \par
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