Sample Exam: Keeping and Serving Beer (1 of 2)

This is an unofficial answer key for the sample Certified Cicerone Exam supplied on the Cicerone.org website.

I've supplied what I think are correct answers. I've cited sources and provided links for more in depth study, and I hope that this will aid you in preparing for the exam.

Please use the comments section below to leave questions and/or differences in opinion.

When citing sources, this answer key uses the following abbreviations:

TB         Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher

BJCP     Beer Judge Certification Program Style Guidelines

DQM      Brewer's Association Draft Quality Manual

Cicerone Certification Program
Certified Cicerone Exam
April 2008 
 
 I. Keeping and Serving Beer 
 
1. Name the tax brewers pay to the Federal government on each gallon of beer they produce: 

Excise Tax 

An excise tax is a tax on a specific product, in this case, beer.

The excise tax rate varies with the amount of production, but an excise tax applies to the amount of product produced, not to the amount sold. In addition to the Federal Excise Tax, states may impose an excise tax of their own.

The Brewer's Association opposes excise taxes. 

2. Importers of beer sell to what member of the three tier system? 

Distributors 

In the three tier distribution system:

1. Manufacturers and Importers of alcohol sell to Distributors (aka Wholesalers).
   
2. Distributors sell to Retailers. 
3. Retailers sell to Consumers.

In some states, an exemption is made for producers to sell directly to consumers via a tasting room.

The Brewer's Association supports allowing small breweries to self-distribute.

Here are some articles addressing the three tier system:
There are Pros and Cons to the three tier system, which affects wine and spirits as well.

3. What aspect of beer labeling is most useful in assessing the freshness of beer?

Bottling date 

Bottling information is found in a variety of formats.

Some brewers label their product with a "Best By" date, but this date is derived from the bottling date and a brewer's estimated shelf life based on assumed storage conditions.


How can you be sure your beer is fresh?  

4. Name two physical or behavioral indications that an individual should not be served additional alcohol: 

Slurred Speech, Loss of Coordination

Here are 50 signs of visible intoxication, and here's a short video about legal responsibility of knowing the signs:

5. Describe the characteristics of a beer that might make it interesting to consume a year or more after its packaging date:

Bottle Conditioning, High ABV

A better way to phrase this question is: What qualities make a beer suitable for aging?

6. Name two things that retailers can do to ensure the freshness of the beer they sell: 

Keep beer refrigerated
Keep beer out of sunlight
Rotate stock FIFO

(Brewer's Association Best Practices Guide to Quality Craft Beer, Table 3)
          
7. Identify the following components of a draft system using the proper name for each item that is described:   

 A quick draft system overview:

a. Device attached to a keg to allow input of gas and output of beer:  

Coupler (DQM, p. 10)

b. Device attached to the server’s side of a draft tower for pouring draft beer:  

Faucet (DQM, p. 12)

c. Device used in some draft systems to halt the flow of beer when the keg it is attached to becomes empty:   

FOB (Foam On Beer)  (DQM, p. 27)
          
d. The box you might see outside the beer cooler that is supplied with both carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas and has an output labeled “25% CO2” ?   

Gas Blender  (DQM p. 31)

e. The device that shows the gas pressure being applied to one keg of beer?  
         
Pressure Gauge  (DQM, p. 16)

f. Hose that delivers gas to the keg: 

 Gas Line  (DQM, page 15)

g. Hose that carries beer from the keg to a nearby wall-mounted bracket. 

Jumper Line  (DQM, p. 27)

8. Proper draft beer system operation depends upon balancing what two elements: 
 
Pressure and Resistance  (DQM, p. 6-7)
 
9. If the operating temperature of a balanced draft system (cooler and lines) is increased by several degrees, what adjustment must be made to the gas pressure? (Assume the use of 100% CO2) 

Increase Pressure  (DQM, p. 38)

10. When troubleshooting a direct draw system, if you open the tap and nothing comes out, name two things you should you check: 

Is the CO2 bottle empty? 
Is the regulator shutoff closed?  (DQM, p. 61)