Bournemouth beer fan achieves sommelier success

Bournemouth has a new beer expert, as a local man has passed the Guild of Beer Sommeliers exam and earned Beer Sommelier accreditation.

Ryan Perry, also known as Crafty Beer Boy on social media, gained his certificate in July, joining a small group of newly accredited beer specialists.

Since the Beer Sommelier accreditation programme was relaunched in 2025, only 16 people have qualified, adding to a community of more than 200 existing sommeliers.

The accreditation is an industry-respected qualification, marking the recipient as an expert in beer styles, brewing processes, sensory evaluation, food pairings and beer service.

To pass the exam, Perry needed to accurately describe 16 beer styles, identify faults and recommend appropriate food pairings. Reaching the assessment stage also required Perry to pass the WSET Level 2 Award in Beer and complete two Guild of Beer Sommeliers courses: Understanding Off Flavours and Beer and Food Pairing. This achievement has taken Perry two and a half years of studying, tasting, learning and determination.

Perry’s passion for beer began as a hobby several years ago. What started as a desire to explore the world of beer in all its styles quickly grew into a dream of achieving Beer Sommelier status.

“I truly believe there is a beer out there for everyone,” said Perry. “My mission is to help people discover it, pair it with the perfect food, and leave with a smile.

“Achieving my Beer Sommelier certification has turned that dream into a reality, giving me the knowledge and confidence to inspire more people to explore the incredible world of beer.”

Perry is a Senior Communications Manager from Bournemouth. He hopes to combine his Beer Sommelier status and love of beer with his background in communications and PR to help breweries and beer brands tell their stories, educate consumers and inspire more people to explore the world of beer.