Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Test

What is "shrinkage" in brewing?

1. The increase in beer volume during fermentation

2. The loss of volume of beer during fermentation and conditioning

3. The process of filtering beer for clarity

4. The addition of flavoring agents

The correct answer is: The loss of volume of beer during fermentation and conditioning

Shrinkage in brewing specifically refers to the loss of volume of beer during fermentation and conditioning. This loss can occur for several reasons, including evaporation, absorption by yeast, and the formation of sediment as particulates settle out of the beer during the fermentation and conditioning phases. Understanding shrinkage is crucial for brewers as it impacts the final yield of the product, which can affect overall brewery efficiency and profitability. The other options describe different aspects of the brewing process but do not capture the definition of shrinkage accurately. While fermentation does result in conversion of sugars to alcohol and carbon dioxide, leading to a potential increase in perceived volume or changes in the beer's characteristics, the term "shrinkage" specifically denotes the reduction in actual liquid volume resulting from various factors during fermentation and conditioning.