Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

What indicates that a glass is not clean when using the salt test?

1. Salt adheres evenly

2. Salt does not adhere in certain spots

3. Glass appears cloudy

4. Salt dissolves immediately

The correct answer is: Salt does not adhere in certain spots

The salt test is a method used to assess the cleanliness of a glass. When salt is applied to a clean glass, it should adhere evenly across the surface. If there are spots where the salt does not adhere, this suggests that residues, oils, or other contaminants are present, which affect the glass’s ability to hold foam and the beer’s overall presentation. In contrast, if the salt adheres evenly, this indicates that the glass is clean. Cloudiness in the glass can signify hard water deposits or other residues, but the salt test specifically looks for adherence patterns rather than visual clarity. Immediate dissolution of the salt can indicate excessive residue or wetness, but again, that is not as diagnostic as the adherence pattern. Therefore, the observation of salt not adhering in certain spots is a clear indicator that the glass is not properly cleaned.