Do I need bartending school to be a beer sommalier?

I'm looking for a new career path and think it would be interesting, but have no experience in the food/beverage industry. I've heard that courses in wine sommalier classes through culinary programs could be helpful too, since there really isn't much formal training for understanding beers yet. But would bartending school be of any use or just a waste of my money?Do I need bartending school to be a beer sommalier?
The beer equivalent of a sommelier is a cicerone. There are three levels of certification available.Do I need bartending school to be a beer sommalier?
Be aware that there's not much necessity for beer somms these days. Many restaurants are struggling, and unnecessary positions are getting cut all the time. You will have a difficult time finding employment, even if you're an ace who really knows your stuff.



Personally, I think anyone who wants a serious career in the beverage industry should do some sommelier training. More than memorizing geography and labels, it teaches you how to use your senses in ways you never have before. It's beneficial in general.
If you want to be a beer sommelier, there are programs out there to learn more about it, much like a wine sommelier...here's some information I found in a zagat.com article, though you can read the entire article from the link below:



ZB: If someone wants to become a beer sommelier, what advice would you give?



GC: Learn food as much as possible 鈥?you can鈥檛 guess it. Learn wine, because everything I鈥檝e seen in training for beer doesn鈥檛 get you there right now. Beer is a lot easier to crack, but you have to learn the discipline of wine. The best way to learn beer is also coming to bars, hanging out, talking about beera nd finding sommeliers that will take you through it. Also 鈥?you gotta home brew 鈥?it鈥檚 all about experimentation. You go to Whole Foods these days and it鈥檚 turning into a home brew store. They have the grain, the hops 鈥?it鈥檚 unbelievable.Do I need bartending school to be a beer sommalier?
If you just want to focus Beer sommalier than Bartending school would be a waste, they barely deal with been and wine. they are focused on how to mix drinks. They looking here for more information on being a Cicerone (aka a Beer Sommalier)



http://www.cicerone.org/
No I think it would be a waste.Do I need bartending school to be a beer sommalier?
Yes. You have to go to school. It's hard work!