Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

Which of the following beer qualities is least likely to be affected by the addition of hops?

1. Aroma

2. Bitterness

3. Color

4. Flavor

The correct answer is: Color

Color is indeed the beer quality that is least likely to be affected by the addition of hops. Hops primarily provide bitterness, aroma, and flavor to beer. The bitterness comes from compounds known as alpha acids that are released during the boiling process, while the aroma and flavor come from the essential oils in hops that contribute different notes to the beer. In contrast, color in beer is primarily influenced by the type and amount of malt used during brewing. The malting process and the specific malts selected determine the final color of the beer, which ranges from pale straw to deep brown or black. Hops, regardless of their variety or quantity, do not impart significant color to the beer, making this characteristic largely independent of hop usage.