Will Cyril Hubert soon be the world’s best beer sommelier?

On 10 September 2017, Cyril Hubert will represent France at the ‘World Championship of Beer Sommeliers’, and the Lyon International Competition will be rooting for him all the way to the finals. But have you met this beerologist and fan of everything related to beer?

First it was gastronomy that captured Cyril’s interest. Four years of classes and practical experience through the apprentice training centre in Blois were rewarded with a CAP, then a BEP, and finally a professional certificate in the hotel-restaurant field.

Cyril’s competitive nature soon led him to enter the Logis de France Competition—where he came in second—and the Robert Saget Trophy—where he was elected Best Waiter, and also received an award for the best dossier.
Cyril thinks competitions are important: “I’ve always been really stimulated by competitions. They help me see where I am now, and to improve my skills. They also give me an opportunity to perfect my knowledge of beers.”
After finishing school, Cyril earned his stripes in a number of gourmet restaurants: Métropole Palace in Beaulieu sur Mer (France), Le Pont de Brent in Switzerland, Tucker’s Point Golf Club in the Bermuda Islands, and the Domaine des Hauts de Loire in Onzain (France). All are part of the Relais & Châteaux network.

“I love the restaurant world, even though it’s a tough place that requires real personal investment. I met people there who were passionate about their work, and they pushed me to do my very best. But after a few years I realised I needed other challenges,” Cyril explained.

At 32, Cyril decided to follow his instincts and devote himself to his passion: beer. So he obtained a beer sommelier certificate from the GastroSuisse specialised training institute in Switzerland, and dove right into beerology.
But what exactly is beerology? Here is Cyril’s explanation:
“Beerology is the study of beer in the widest sense—on the historical, gastronomical, technical and sensorial levels, to mention just a few. Yet it is above all about sharing, meeting people and relaxing with them. Without these three aspects, I think there would be a gaping hole in the beer world—a world that is attracting more and more people. For me it’s just a matter of chemistry between men (and women, of course) and beer...”

Now a trainer at the Migros Club School and a consultant for breweries and restaurants, Cyril continues to learn by participating in beer competitions such as the Lyon International Competition, where he puts his expert palate to work judging products from all over the world.
According to Cyril: “The opportunity to discover beers from across the world is very important. It helps me develop my palate and find out what is being done elsewhere—and that, in turn, expands my knowledge.”

Because he is French, Cyril was not allowed to participate in the Swiss championship of beer sommeliers. But later he was contacted by Dr. Wolgang Stempfl, organiser of the world beer championship, who suggested that he enter this contest as an unofficial representive of France.
So in September Cyril will be in Munich (Germany) pitting his talents against those of the world’s best beer sommeliers... and hoping to walk off with the coveted title.

There are three parts to the championship. First, a written test measures each candidate’s theoretical knowledge. Then several beers are blind-tasted, and candidates attempt to determine the beers’ names and types. The third phase consists in ascertaining the exact aromas of each beer, with the label still, of course, hidden from view.

The most important and difficult task comes at the end: sommeliers taste one beer and present a complete organoleptic analysis, along with recommendations on what foods to enjoy with the beer. All the sommelier’s talents are evaluated, including how the beer is served and presented.
The jury will be composed of international experts. Does Cyril feel the pressure? “It’s terrific to be judged by such stars, though it does put pressure on us to do our very best. I love to be stimulated like this!”

The Lyon International Competition, open to beers for three years now and active in the world of gastronomy, is encouraging Cyril in this adventure, and hopes that the title of ‘World’s Best Beer Sommelier’ will be brought back to France in 2017!