Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

What flavor is primarily derived from malt?

1. Fruity

2. Toasty

3. Spicy

4. Hoppy

The correct answer is: Toasty

The flavor that is primarily derived from malt is toasty. This toasty character comes from the Maillard reaction and caramelization that occurs during the malting and kilning processes. When malted barley is heated, it develops a range of complex flavors, including those that can be described as toast-like, biscuity, or even nutty. These flavors arise from the breakdown of sugars and proteins during the roasting of the malt, which enhances the overall profile of the beer. Different types of malts can contribute varying levels of toastiness; for example, darker malts will provide a richer, more pronounced toasty flavor compared to lighter malts. In contrast, fruity flavors are typically associated with certain yeast strains and fermentation processes, spicy flavors may originate from hops or special adjuncts like spices, and hoppy flavors are directly related to the use of hop varieties in brewing. Thus, the correct answer highlights the unique contribution of malt in providing important flavor notes to beer.