about advanced cicerone chris cohen the
beer scholar

I'm Chris, the creator of Beer Scholar. I'm a Portland, OR based sensory expert and beer educator. I'm also an attorney, serial entrepreneur, and educator with over 10 years of beer industry experience developing courses, study material, and training programs for beer servers and sales staff, with a focus on helping students crush the Cicerone® exams.

If you're interested in becoming a Cicerone®, but it seems like the time and money investment is too big, you're freaked out about memorizing the beer style info, or dealing with the in-person tasting exam, I can be your guide! I'm proud to say the majority of the ~4,600 Certified Cicerones® in the world used my study material. I've created the quickest and easiest course to ensure you pass on your first try! 

Here's a little more about me.

• Took the second ever Advanced Cicerone® exam the program gave and am one of the first 20 ACs to pass. Ten years later there are still only ~180.
• Created world's first ever prep material for the CBS and Cert Cicerone® exams in 2014, created the world's first coaching program for the Advanced Cicerone® exam in 2023.
• 99% first take exam pass rate for Beer Scholar students.
• Founded a beer focused bar in San Francisco that also featured a top level cocktail program.
• Published author and content creator with over 14,000 followers (and growing) across various social media channels.
• National BJCP beer judge, have judged many prestigious beer competitions, including the Great American Beer Festival.
• Have conducted 400+ in-person and online beer classes, style tastings, pairing dinners, and other beer events over a decade of beer education work.
• Insatiable traveler who has experienced beer in 17 countries.
• Founder of the San Francisco Homebrewers Guild
• Former contributing beer writer to Serious Eats and SF Weekly
• Award winning homebrewer
• Former consultant – upgraded beer program, trained staff, helped with marketing strategy for several Bay Area restaurants and breweries
• Member of NY State Bar Association

I'm all about raising the level of knowledge in the industry — never with any gatekeeping or snobbery. I'm about inclusivity, having fun, and building community. If you have any questions for me, join the free Beer Scholar community and ask away, or email me at [email protected]!

Cheers,

Chris