Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a word associated with the perceived bitterness of beer?

1. Assertive

2. Sour

3. Low

4. Highly assertive

The correct answer is: Sour

The characteristic of perceived bitterness in beer is closely related to terms that denote levels of bitterness or description of flavor profiles associated with hops. Descriptors like "assertive" and "highly assertive" indicate strong hop presence, which contributes to bitterness. "Low" describes a beer with minimal hop bitterness, helping to convey a range from gentle to strong bitterness. "Sour," however, is primarily associated with acidity and tartness rather than bitterness. Sourness can come from certain fermentation processes or the addition of souring agents but does not directly relate to the bitterness that hops impart. Thus, it is not a term used in the context of discussing the perceived bitterness of beer.