Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

What are the main four components of beer?

1. Grains, yeast, water, spices

2. Grains, hops, yeast, water

3. Hops, color, grains, alcohol

4. Water, hops, sugar, grains

The correct answer is: Grains, hops, yeast, water

The correct identification of the main four components of beer is grains, hops, yeast, and water. This combination is foundational to the brewing process. Grains, typically malted barley, provide the sugars necessary for fermentation, which is crucial for producing alcohol. These sugars are also responsible for the beer's body and contribute to flavor and color. Hops are essential for adding bitterness, aroma, and flavor to beer. They also act as a natural preservative, enhancing the beer's shelf life by inhibiting spoilage microorganisms. Yeast is the microorganism responsible for fermentation. It consumes the sugars derived from the grains and converts them into alcohol and carbon dioxide, also developing various flavor compounds in the process. Water is often overlooked, but it is a critical component, constituting a significant percentage of beer's composition. The mineral content and pH of the water can greatly influence the beer's final flavor profile. The other options present components that may be related to beer but do not accurately portray the core ingredients required for its production. For instance, spices may be used in some beer styles to enhance flavor but are not fundamental to every beer. Color and alcohol are results of the brewing process rather than primary components that define beer itself.