Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Test

What is typically measured using the Standard Reference Method (SRM)?

1. The flavor intensity of beer

2. The alcohol content of beer

3. The color intensity of beer

4. The bitterness of beer

The correct answer is: The color intensity of beer

The Standard Reference Method (SRM) is a widely recognized method used in brewing to objectively measure the color intensity of beer. This measurement involves determining the absorbance of light in a specific wavelength range as it passes through a beer sample. The higher the SRM value, the darker the beer. This method is crucial for brewers and beer evaluators when assessing the visual characteristics of different beer styles, which can be an important aspect of a beer's overall presentation and marketing. While flavor intensity, alcohol content, and bitterness are important aspects of beer, they are measured using different methods. Flavor intensity is typically evaluated through sensory analysis, alcohol content is measured using tools like hydrometers or alcoholometers, and bitterness levels are often assessed using the International Bitterness Units (IBU) scale.