Master Cicerone Neil Witte Visits Blue Jay Brewing Company
Big things were brewing in St. Louis this weekend as Master Cicerone Neil Witte of Ritual Pour stopped by Blue Jay Brewing Company for a special tasting event. Witte — one of only a handful of Master  Cicerones in the world—showcased the incredible versatility of one Blue Jay beer, their High Five German Pilsner, by serving it seven different ways to highlight how temperature, carbonation, and presentation can completely transform the drinking experience.
It was an unforgettable session blending craftsmanship, education, and creativity—proving once again that there’s more than one way to enjoy STLBeer.
About Neil Witte / Ritual Pour
Master Cicerone Neil Witte is a prominent figure in the craft beer world, recognized for his deep expertise in draft systems, beer sensory evaluation, and quality control.  His “Ritual Pour” project is a pop-up concept inspired by traditional pouring practices from the Czech Republic and Japan, through which he explores how subtle differences in pouring technique can influence aroma, flavor, and the overall drinking experience.  Through Ritual Pour, Witte aims to elevate the awareness of beer service as an art, inviting beer lovers to experience and reflect on how presentation and technique affect what’s in the glass.
About Cicerone Program
The Cicerone Certification Program is a four-tier professional credential system designed to elevate and standardize beer knowledge, service, and tasting skills across the craft beer industry. Its levels progress from Certified Beer Server(level 1)—which tests basic beer service, storage, style, and draft systems knowledge via an online exam —to Certified Cicerone (level 2), then Advanced Cicerone (level 3) , and finally Master Cicerone (level 4), the most rigorous and exclusive tier of mastery. At each stage, candidates are evaluated through written exams, tasting exercises (including blind samples and off-flavor detection), and in higher levels, oral and draft system demonstrations. The program is often likened to a “sommelier track” for beer, providing recognized credibility and a framework for continuous learning in beer service and education.