Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

Which type of bottle provides the greatest protection against skunking?

1. Blue bottle

2. Brown bottle

3. Clear bottle

4. Green bottle

The correct answer is: Brown bottle

Brown bottles provide the greatest protection against skunking due to their ability to effectively filter out ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light can cause certain compounds in beer, particularly hop-derived compounds, to undergo a photochemical reaction that results in a skunky aroma and flavor. The brown glass absorbs a significant amount of UV light, thereby minimizing this reaction. In contrast, clear bottles allow all UV light to penetrate, making them the least protective. Green bottles offer some level of protection but not as much as brown bottles, as they only block part of the UV spectrum. Blue bottles provide even less protection compared to green and brown options. Therefore, when considering the various bottle types in relation to preventing skunking, brown bottles are the optimal choice due to their superior ability to shield beer from harmful light exposure.