Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

Which style was created by nineteenth-century west coast brewers using warm fermentation with lager yeast?

1. California Common

2. Amber Ale

3. Steam Beer

4. Porter

The correct answer is: California Common

The style created by nineteenth-century west coast brewers using warm fermentation with lager yeast is California Common. This beer style is particularly notable for its historical context as it emerged during a time when brewers in California were looking for ways to produce a drinkable lager despite the challenges of the warmer climate. California Common is characterized by its unique fermentation method, which involves using lager yeast at higher temperatures than typical for lagers. This results in a beer that has the crispness and clean finish associated with lagers but also exhibits some of the fruity esters typically found in ales. The style is often associated with the term "steam beer," which describes the brewing tradition of allowing the fermentation process to occur at warmer temperatures, leading to the "steaming" of the beer during fermentation. The other styles mentioned do not share this specific background or fermentation technique, making California Common the correct answer, as it reflects both the brewing practices of its time and its adaptation to the west coast environment.