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Social ServiceISCO 5131

Beer sommelier

A beer sommelier is a person who holds and applies expert knowledge of beer styles, of brewing and of matching beer to food, in restaurants, breweries and shops. The sommelier knows the ingredients, the history of the beers, the glassware they are served in and the dispense systems they come through.

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Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

perform sensory evaluation of food products

apply HACCP

analyse trends in the food and beverage industries

consult on beer presentation

describe the flavour of different beers

About beer sommelier

Tasting is the technical core and it is a method rather than an impression. The sommelier carries out sensory evaluation of food products, describes the flavour of different beers in terms that mean the same thing to another taster, and works from a knowledge of beer styles, of the raw materials used in brewing, of beverage fermentation processes and of post-fermentation beer processing. Knowing how a beer was made is what allows a fault to be named rather than merely disliked.

Advising is the work the role is paid for. The sommelier matches beer to a meal, prepares beer tastings, consults with businesses and customers, and is consulted on how beer is presented, which covers the glass, the temperature and the dispense, each of which can undo a good beer before it reaches the drinker.

Writing is a further part of the work. The sommelier evaluates beer products and writes about them, which is how an assessment reaches people who were not at the tasting.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

biotechnologybiotechnologyThe technology that uses, modifies or harnesses biological systems, organisms and cellular components to develop new technologies and products for specific uses.beer downstream processingbeer downstream processingThe process of beer post-fermentation, including maturation and filtration.variety of beersvariety of beersVariety of beers and their fermentation, ingredients and processes used during their production.fermentation processes of beveragesfermentation processes of beveragesFermentation processes related to the conversion of sugar to alcohol, gases and acids.brewhouse processesbrewhouse processesThe processes and techniques through which raw materials are converted into fermentable substrate for beer manufacturing.ingredients for beer productioningredients for beer productionBasic ingredients of beer, which consist of water, a starch source such as malted barley, brewer's yeast to produce the fermentation and a flavouring such as hops.perform sensory evaluation of food productsperform sensory evaluation of food productsEvaluate the quality of a given type of food or beverage based on its appearance, smell, taste, aroma, and others. Suggest possible improvements and comparisons with other products.apply HACCPapply HACCPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).analyse trends in the food and beverage industriesanalyse trends in the food and beverage industriesInvestigate trends in foodstuffs related to consumers preferences. Examine key markets based on both product type and geography as well as technological improvements in the industry.consult on beer presentationconsult on beer presentationConsult on the presentation of beers, labelling, and the image of the beer according to the taste and the perception of the client.describe the flavour of different beersdescribe the flavour of different beersDescribe the taste and aroma, or flavour of different beers using the adequate lingo and relying on experience to classify beers.pair beer with foodpair beer with foodPairs beer with dishes in order to match the right tastes.apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesapply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesApply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.apply GMPapply GMPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).apply extensive study of beer stylesapply extensive study of beer stylesStudy and analyse beer styles from different countries and consult companies and people in the industry.
Optional (14) — show
types of barleytypes of barleyThe different types of barley; their characteristics, and quality.malting processmalting processThe malting process consists of soaking cereal grains, usually barley, and then halting further germination by kilning.modern brewing systemsmodern brewing systemsThe most updated systems and best available techniques in the brewing industry.provide training on quality management supervisionprovide training on quality management supervisionProvide training to production employees, in groups or individually, on standard operating procedures, product specifications, visual quality inspection criteria, SPC, production controls, formulas, G...communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.maintain relationship with customersmaintain relationship with customersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and servic...find new types of food and beveragesfind new types of food and beveragesUse curiosity to explore new or less familiar types of food and beverages.apply foreign language for international tradeapply foreign language for international tradeCommunicate in foreign languages to facilitate international trade operations such as the importation of food and beverages.perform public relationsperform public relationsPerform public relations (PR) by managing the spread of information between an individual or an organisation and the public.maintain food specificationsmaintain food specificationsPreserve, review, and evaluate existing food specifications such as recipes.train staff in beer knowledgetrain staff in beer knowledgeDevelop beer lists, and provide beer service and training to the other restaurant staff.liaise with colleaguesliaise with colleaguesLiaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ...measure precise food processing operationsmeasure precise food processing operationsCarry out accurately measured assignments with suitable tools and equipment in the process of producing food and beverages.liaise with managersliaise with managersLiaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

brewmaster8 shared essential skillscider master6 shared essential skillsoenologist6 shared essential skillsbrew house operator5 shared essential skillsfood biotechnologist5 shared essential skillswine fermenter5 shared essential skillswine sommelier5 shared essential skillsbotanicals specialist4 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a beer sommelier do?

Beer sommeliers understand and advise on styles, brewing and best pairing of beers with foods in locations such as restaurants, breweries and shops. They know all about their ingredients, the history of the beers, glassware and draught systems. They prepare beer tastings, consult companies and customers, evaluate beer products and write about this subject.

What skills does a beer sommelier need?

A beer sommelier needs 15 essential skills, including biotechnology, beer downstream processing, variety of beers, fermentation processes of beverages, brewhouse processes.

Will AI replace beer sommelier jobs?

The AI disruption score for beer sommelier is 25/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: communicate with customers, apply foreign language for international trade, apply GMP. Most resilient: find new types of food and beverages, liaise with colleagues, liaise with managers.

Quick Facts

SectorSocial Service
ISCO GroupPersonal service workers
Essential Skills15

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