Prepare for the Cicerone Certified Beer Server Exam with engaging quizzes featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions that reinforce essential beer knowledge. Get ready to validate your expertise in beer service and enhance your career!

Practice this question and more.


Which of the following is NOT a qualitative parameter of beer?

  1. Flavor

  2. Mouthfeel

  3. IBU

  4. Aroma

The correct answer is: IBU

The correct answer is the IBU, which stands for International Bitterness Units. This measurement quantifies the bitterness of beer based on its hop content, making it a quantitative parameter rather than a qualitative one. IBU provides a specific numerical value that can be used to compare different beers, distinguishing it from the other options that describe qualitative sensory experiences. Flavor, mouthfeel, and aroma are all subjective aspects of a beer's profile that contribute to a drinker's overall perception and enjoyment. These parameters are evaluated based on personal experience and preference, which is why they are considered qualitative. In contrast, the IBU offers a precise measurement that does not account for personal interpretation or sensory experience in the same way.