- Annette May became both a BJCP judge and a Certified Cicerone® in 2008, and since then has focused on beer education and encouraging people to explore the Cicerone® program. She has over 20 years of experience working in the craft beer biz in a couple of different states, starting out in 1995 bartending and managing a multi-tap beer bar, then transitioning to sales and distribution of high end imported and craft beer and beer education. She managed the renowned beer department at Merchant’s Fine Wine in Dearborn for 10 years, leaving in March 2015 to work full time as a beer educator, conducting staff training at bars, brewpubs, retail beer stores, growler stations and restaurants through knowbeer.org. She conducts Beer Savvy Bootcamp and Off Flavor training courses for the Cicerone® program, as well. Since Fall 2015, she has been teaching beer styles, history, and sensory evaluation as well as draft service and management in the Brewing & Distilling Certificate Program at Schoolcraft College. She is in her third term as Board Member and Events Coordinator for Fermenta: Michigan Women’s Craft Collective. In April 2017, Annette attained Advanced Cicerone™ certification, a rare distinction. By night you’ll find her at home, plotting the next class while having fresh beers from their basement brewery and deciding what to cook to go with the beers. (Life is good!) She has had a ton of experience with food and beer pairings, including speaking at conferences about this. She has a lot of hats.
- Mike Bardallis is a Certified Cicerone®, a professional brewer, a BJCP National judge, and has been brewing for more than half of his life (and he’s OLD.) He has many opinions, all of which are correct.