Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

Which term describes the process of boiling wort with hops to extract bitterness?

1. Fermentation

2. Conditioning

3. Boiling

4. Whirlpool

The correct answer is: Boiling

The process of boiling wort with hops to extract bitterness is referred to as boiling. During this stage in brewing, the wort, which is the liquid extracted from the mashed grains, is heated to a boiling point. The hops added during this phase contribute not only to the bitterness but also to the aroma and flavor characteristics of the final beer. The isomerization of alpha acids from the hops occurs during this boiling process, which is essential in developing the desired bitterness and overall balance in the finished product. While fermentation is the process where yeast converts sugars into alcohol and carbonation, and conditioning refers to the maturation stage where the beer develops its flavors after fermentation, boiling specifically addresses the critical step of incorporating hops into the wort to achieve the necessary bitterness. The whirlpool phase, which typically follows the boil, involves stirring the wort to separate the hop materials and sediment before cooling, but it does not directly relate to the extraction of bitterness like boiling does.