MetroMode | By Melinda Clynes, 4/16/2009
Annette May and Michael Bardallis of Allen Park literally swoon over beer. And late last year, their beer passion and savvy was officially recognized, as the Allen Park couple became two of only 17 cicerones in the United States.
A Certified Cicerone designates someone with proven expertise in selecting and serving beer – and who has passed a rigorous 2 1/2 hour written exam, followed by an extensive tasting and draft system demonstration test. In short, the cicerone is to beer what the sommelier is to wine.
May, the only female cicerone in the country, works in the beer industry at Merchant's Fine Wine. Contrary to the store title, every beer enthusiast's radar points to the Dearborn shop for its extensive beer selection; it's a proverbial candy store for beer-loving adults.
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