Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

What flavors are commonly found in brown beer?

1. Earthy, herbal, woodsy

2. Nutt, toffee, chocolate

3. Floral, perfumy, minty

4. Piney, citrus, tropical fruit

The correct answer is: Nutt, toffee, chocolate

Brown beers are characterized by their rich malt profiles, which often lead to flavors such as nutty, toffee, and chocolate. The malts used in brown beer typically undergo a caramelization process during roasting, which contributes to these distinctive sweet and savory flavors. Nuttiness can stem from roasted malts that impart a warm, rounded flavor reminiscent of various nuts. Toffee notes arise from the caramelization of sugars, creating a rich, sweet flavor profile that enhances the beer's complexity. Chocolate notes are also prevalent, particularly in darker brown ales, as the darker roasted malts can impart flavors that resemble rich cocoa or dark chocolate. The other flavor profiles associated with the other choices do not align with the typical taste experience of brown beers. Earthy, herbal, and woodsy flavors might be found in some specialty beers but are not defining characteristics of brown beers. Similarly, floral, perfumy, and minty notes are more common in lighter beers, particularly IPAs and other hoppy styles. Lastly, the piney, citrus, and tropical fruit flavors are typically indicators of hop-forward beers, such as pale ales or IPAs, rather than malt-forward styles like brown ales.