Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Test

What are "wild beers"?

1. Beers made exclusively with hops

2. Beers made using wild yeast strains and bacteria, often resulting in sour or funky flavors

3. Beers that are brewed without water

4. Commercial beers with no adjuncts

The correct answer is: Beers made using wild yeast strains and bacteria, often resulting in sour or funky flavors

Wild beers are characterized by their fermentation process, which involves the use of wild yeast strains and bacteria, such as Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, or Pediococcus. These microorganisms contribute to unique flavor profiles, often introducing sour, tart, or funky characteristics that are distinct from traditional beer brewed with cultivated yeast. The use of these wild cultures allows for a more complex and varied taste experience, appealing to those who enjoy adventurous and unconventional beer flavors. This definition is key in understanding the diversity within the beer world, particularly in styles like lambics, sour ales, and farmhouse ales, where the fermentation environment and ingredients come together to create unique and unpredictable results. In contrast, the other choices refer to different brewing processes or ingredient characteristics that do not align with the concept of wild fermentation. For example, the first choice mentions hops exclusively, which does not encompass the broader fermentation aspects of wild beers, while the third option incorrectly states that wild beers are brewed without water, and the fourth option limits the definition to commercial beers without adjuncts, both of which are not representative of what defines wild beers.