Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2024

COAST NOTE
Fly Llama’s David Reese Becomes Master Cicerone
story by Cherie Ward
photos courtesy of Fly Llama Brewing
here’s just one
Master Cicerone in the Magnolia
State and not only does he hail from Biloxi, but he’s one
of the exclusive 28 people in the world to hold the prestigious accreditation.
The certification has been tapped as the hardest beer test in the world for almost two decades and David Reese, the owner and brewmaster of Fly Llama Brewing, received Cicerone Certification’s Master level after ten years of pursuing the pristine title.
“It’s really a beast of a test so it’s not something you can just rush into,” Reese said, adding he’s been a brewmaster since 2009. “You have to live and breathe beer for a while to have a chance at passing it.”
The program was started in 2007 by Ray Daniels, a name recognized by global brewmasters. There are four levels of the certification and the final level, which Reese obtained, is a challenge few have conquered. “They literally can throw anything at you,” Reese said. “Anything
is fair game, and I was getting quizzed by some of my absolute heroes. It’s a nutty scenario.”
The exam is a brutal two-day marathon of everything beer including grueling written essays and one-on-one demonstrations
with some of the most celebrated heavy hitters in beer and food. To pass, tasting, demonstration, and written scores must average at least 85 and the exam is only given once a year.
“It’s a commitment to get this accolade,” he added. “If I didn’t have such a great team here at the brewery and the support of my family, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish it and I’m super grateful to all of them.”
And that’s not all Reese and his crew of beer crafters have to celebrate. The achievement comes on the heels of Fly Llama expanding its operation and increasing the distribution of its 32 beer varieties to markets in
Mississippi, Louisiana,
and Alabama. The team
recently opened the Hungry
Llama Food Truck and will be
opening a distillery sometime
this year, creating lines of gin
and vodka. There are plans
to eventually add rum and
bourbon as well.
16 | January 2024
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