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ESCO occupation

beer sommelier

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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.

5131.2.2.1 ISCO 5131 ESCO source
Competences
30
Groups
4
Essential
16
Optional
14

Competences and skills

30 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 6 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

5 competences
beer downstream processing

The process of beer post-fermentation, including maturation and filtration.

ESCO source
brewhouse processes

The processes and techniques through which raw materials are converted into fermentable substrate for beer manufacturing.

ESCO source
fermentation processes of beverages

Fermentation processes related to the conversion of sugar to alcohol, gases and acids. 

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ingredients for beer production

Basic 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.

ESCO source
variety of beers

Variety of beers and their fermentation, ingredients and processes used during their production.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

1 competence
biotechnology

The technology that uses, modifies or harnesses biological systems, organisms and cellular components to develop new technologies and products for specific uses.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 10 competences

Occupation specific

2 competences
consult on beer presentation

Consult on the presentation of beers, labelling, and the image of the beer according to the taste and the perception of the client.

ESCO source
pair beer with food

Pairs beer with dishes in order to match the right tastes.

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Sector-specific

6 competences
advise on beer production

Advise beer companies, small brewers and managers within the beer industry to improve the quality of the product or of the production process.

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analyse trends in the food and beverage industries

Investigate 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.

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apply extensive study of beer styles

Study and analyse beer styles from different countries and consult companies and people in the industry. 

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apply GMP

Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Scope note
There are countries that adopt their own national regulations such as the British standard and/or international ones as well: International Features Standards (IFS). In these cases, producers should comply with international standards also.
ESCO source
apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages

Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.

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describe the flavour of different beers

Describe the taste and aroma, or flavour of different beers using the adequate lingo and relying on experience to classify beers.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

2 competences
apply HACCP

Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).

Scope note
There are countries that adopt their own national regulations such as the British standard and/or international ones as well: International Features Standards (IFS). In these cases, producers should comply with international standards also.
ESCO source
perform sensory evaluation of food products

Evaluate 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.

ESCO source
Optional knowledge 3 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

3 competences
malting process

The malting process consists of soaking cereal grains, usually barley, and then halting further germination by kilning.

ESCO source
modern brewing systems

The most updated systems and best available techniques in the brewing industry.

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types of barley

The different types of barley; their characteristics, and quality.

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Cross-sector

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Optional skills and competences 11 competences

Occupation specific

1 competence
train staff in beer knowledge

Develop beer lists, and provide beer service and training to the other restaurant staff.

ESCO source

Sector-specific

4 competences
find new types of food and beverages

Use curiosity to explore new or less familiar types of food and beverages.

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maintain food specifications

Preserve, review, and evaluate existing food specifications such as recipes.

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maintain relationship with customers

Build 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 services and by supplying after-sales information and service.

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measure precise food processing operations

Carry out accurately measured assignments with suitable tools and equipment in the process of producing food and beverages.

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Cross-sector

6 competences
apply foreign language for international trade

Communicate in foreign languages to facilitate international trade operations such as the importation of food and beverages.

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communicate with customers

Respond 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.

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liaise with colleagues

Liaise 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 ensure that work in general run efficiently towards the achievement of the objectives.

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liaise with managers

Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.

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perform public relations

Perform public relations (PR) by managing the spread of information between an individual or an organisation and the public.

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provide training on quality management supervision

Provide training to production employees, in groups or individually, on standard operating procedures, product specifications, visual quality inspection criteria, SPC, production controls, formulas, GMP, and food safety procedures.

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