Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

What type of beer typically uses bottom fermentation?

1. Stout

2. Ale

3. Lager

4. Pilsner

The correct answer is: Lager

The correct answer is indeed Lager. Lagers are a type of beer that are produced using bottom fermentation, where the yeast settles at the bottom of the fermentation vessel. This process typically involves fermenting at cooler temperatures, which results in a clean, crisp flavor profile. The use of bottom-fermenting yeast strains, such as Saccharomyces pastorianus, is a defining characteristic of lagers. In contrast, ales, including stouts and other types, utilize top fermentation, where yeast rises to the top during fermentation and often operates at warmer temperatures. These methods contribute to the distinctively different flavors and aromas found in ales, leading to a fruitier and more complex profile compared to lagers. Pilsners are a specific type of lager that originate from the Czech Republic and also use bottom fermentation, but they fall under the broader category of lagers. Therefore, while pilsners are lagers, not all lagers are pilsners. Thus, lager is the most accurate general category associated with bottom fermentation.