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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Cicerone Certification Program. Bank checked October 7, 2026.
The real exam, as its owner describes it
Questions
60
To pass
45 of 60 right (75%)
Time limit
30 minutes
Fee
$79 (USD), as listed on 2026-10-07
Retakes
The purchase includes two attempts
Format
An online exam of multiple choice questions. Closed book: no notes, reference materials or help from anyone.
Before the exam
A 5-question quiz about the certification program itself. It needs 100% and can be taken more than once.
What it covers
The topics of the Certified Beer Server syllabus: keeping and serving beer, beer styles, flavor and evaluation, ingredients and brewing, pairing beer with food.
Prerequisites
None.
Other versions
The owner offers the exam in several languages and publishes separate syllabi for other regions. This page follows the United States syllabus.
A bar cleaned its draft lines on March 1. By what date must they be cleaned again?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 7, Cleaning Frequency and Tasks
A bottle carries a traditional consumer date code, 091824, in month, day, year order. What date is it?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.C.2.a
A bottle has yeast on the bottom. When is the yeast poured into the glass?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.F.2.c
A bottle shows white, snow-like flakes floating in the beer. What should the server do?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.F.2
A can carries the Julian (ordinal) date code 032-25. What date is it?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.C.2.a
A case moves from the 38 °F cooler to a room-temperature shelf and later back to the cooler. What does that change do?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.C.3.c
Show all 92 questions (86 more)
Keeping and Serving Beer, continued
A draft list has a 5% lager and an 11% barleywine. What does responsible service ask of the pour?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.B.2
A filled glass shows bubbles clinging to its inside walls below the foam. What does that mean?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.E.2.d
A guest wants the same beer again and holds out the empty glass. What is correct?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 6, Glassware Cleaning
A keg is tapped with a party pump, which pushes air into the keg. How long will the beer keep its flavor?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 2, Hand Pumps
A line cleaner is partway through cleaning the draft system. May beer be poured from it?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.D.4.c
A server opens the faucet only part of the way to slow the pour. What happens?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 6, Free-Flow Pouring
About how long does non-pasteurized draft beer stay fresh when it is kept refrigerated?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.C.2.d
Above what temperature should beer never be allowed to go, because flavor degrades rapidly?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.C.3
After a keg change on a system with an FOB, what must be done?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.G.3.c
After the wire cage comes off a mushroom cork, what must the server do?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.F.3.c
During a draft pour, where should the faucet be in relation to the glass?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 6, Pouring Hygiene
How does the pour of a filtered bottled beer begin?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.F.5.a
How is a nitro beer poured?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.G.2
How is ice added to a coil-style jockey box?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.D.5.c
How long should a keg sit in the cooler before it is tapped and served?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.D.2.b
How much protection from skunking does each bottle color give?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.C.4.c
How should bottle-conditioned beer be stored before service?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.F.1.a
In the sheeting test, what shows that a glass is beer clean?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 6, Testing for "Beer-Clean" Glass
In the three-sink method, what does the third sink hold?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.E.2.b
On many couplers, how is an empty keg untapped?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.G.3.b
Some states allow exceptions to the three-tier system. Which is a common one?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.A.1.b
Two cases of the same beer are in the cooler, one dated a month earlier than the other. Which is served first?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.C.2
Under the three-tier system, who sells beer to a bar or a bottle shop?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.A.1
What causes skunky, or lightstruck, flavor in beer?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Fault List, entry "Light-struck"
What does a cold water rinse do for a clean glass just before filling?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.E.3.b
What does a foam on beer detector (FOB) do?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 4, Foam on Beer Detector (FOB)
What is the standard temperature for a keg cooler and draft system?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.D.2.a
What size glass suits a higher-alcohol beer?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.E.1.a
When setting up a jockey box, what is done before ice is added?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 2, Setting Up a Cold Plate Jockey Box
Which beers are traditionally served with a taller head of 2 to 3 inches?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.F.5.a
Which bottled beer is most likely to show its age within three months, even when refrigerated?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.C.2.d
Which gas is used to push draft beer from a traditional keg?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 1, Gas Source
Which package shields beer from light completely?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.C.4.d
Which style of jockey box suits higher-volume dispensing?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 2, Jockey Box Setup and Use
Who should set or adjust the gas pressure applied to a keg?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.D.2.c
Why are frozen or frosted glasses not recommended?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.E.3.a
Why are washed glasses left to dry upside down on a rack and not on a flat mat?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.E.2.b
Why should a glass washing machine be used for beer glassware only?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section I.E.2.c
Beer Styles 24
A menu lists one beer at 4 SRM and another at 30 SRM. What does that tell the guest?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, entry "Standard Reference Method (SRM)"
California Common is listed as an amber lager. What is unusual about how it ferments?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 19B California Common
For the same beer, how do alcohol by volume (ABV) and alcohol by weight (ABW) compare?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, entry "Alcohol by Volume (ABV)"
German Pils and Munich Helles are both pale lagers. Which is the more bitter?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 5D German Pils
How does a Double IPA differ from an American IPA?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 22A Double IPA
How does a gluten-reduced beer differ from a gluten-free beer?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section II.C.2.h
In the syllabus's alcohol descriptors, what ABV range is called "normal"?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section II.C.1, footnote 3
Under federal labeling rules, how much alcohol may a beer labeled "non-alcoholic" contain?27 CFR 7.65(e), alcohol content statements on malt beverage labels
What do International Bitterness Units (IBUs) measure?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, entry "International Bitterness Units (IBU)"
What does the label term "alcohol free" require of a malt beverage?27 CFR 7.65(f), alcohol content statements on malt beverage labels
What first drove the development of historical beer styles?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section II.A.1
What is a pastry stout?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section II.C.2.f
What is Gueuze?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 23E Gueuze
Which Belgian style is very pale, hazy, and spiced with coriander and orange peel?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 24A Witbier
Which flavors mark the yeast character of a German Weissbier?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 10A Weissbier
Which fruits are traditional in a fruit lambic such as Kriek or Framboise?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 23F Fruit Lambic
Which German lager is strong and malty, at 7% to 10% ABV, with low bitterness?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 9A Doppelbock
Which German wheat beer is tart and brewed with salt and coriander?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 23G Gose
Which grain is used to brew gluten-free beer?21 CFR 101.91(a)(1), gluten-free labeling of food
Which of these German styles does the syllabus list as an ale?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 5B Kölsch
Which style is a very pale, sour German wheat beer of lower alcohol, 2.8% to 3.8% ABV?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 23A Berliner Weisse
Which style is straw colored, low in bitterness and 2.8% to 4.2% ABV?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 1A American Light Lager
Which sugar is often added to a Sweet Stout, also called milk stout?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 16A Sweet Stout
Which Trappist or abbey style is pale gold and high in alcohol, 7.5% to 9.5% ABV?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Style Guidelines, 2021 edition, style 26C Belgian Tripel
Beer Flavor and Evaluation 8
A draft beer tastes buttery and a little sour, but the same beer from a bottle is fine. What is the likely cause?Brewers Association, Draught Beer Quality Manual, fourth edition (2019), chapter 8, Off-Flavors in Draught Beer
A pale ale stored warm for months tastes papery, like wet cardboard, and its hop aroma has faded. What happened to it?Beer Judge Certification Program, Beer Fault List, entry "Oxidized"
The syllabus lists five established tastes. Which taste does it list as emerging?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section III.A.1.b
What happens to a beer's flavor as its temperature rises within the serving range?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section III.A.2.a
Which aroma technique has the taster cover the glass with a hand, swirl for 3 to 5 seconds, then sniff?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section III.A.2.c
Which flavors are the traditional traits of English hops?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section III.B.2.b
Which malt flavors does the syllabus tie to an amber beer?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section III.B.1
Which two things make up mouthfeel in the syllabus?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section III.A.1.c
Beer Ingredients and Brewing Processes 16
A beer menu marks an IPA "DDH". What does that tell the guest?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.A.2.a
About how much of a beer's weight is water?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.A.4
How is malt made?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, entry "Malt"
What does boiling the wort do, besides taking up hop bitterness, flavor and aroma?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.B.4
What does lager yeast usually contribute to a beer's flavor?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.A.3.a
What happens to the starches in malt during mashing?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, entry "Mashing"
What is dry hopping?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.A.2.a
What is the crushed grain that comes out of the mill called?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, entry "Grist"
What is the purpose of maturation, or lagering?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.B.8
What is wort?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, entry "Lautering"
Which is a major hop-growing region of the United States?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.A.2.c
Which list gives brewing steps in the right order?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.B
Which step spins the hot wort to separate hop fragments and solids?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.B.5
Which unmalted grains are sometimes used in brewing?Cicerone Certification Program, US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 (August 1, 2024), section IV.A.1.b
Which yeast species is ale yeast?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, entry "Ale Yeast"
Yeast is pitched into cooled wort. What does it consume there?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, entry "Fermentation"
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the parts of the US Certified Beer Server Syllabus, version 6.0 of August 1, 2024, which the Cicerone Certification Program publishes (https://www.cicerone.org/sites/default/files/resources/US_English_CBS_Syllabus_V6.0_0.pdf, linked from https://www.cicerone.org/us-en/certifications/certified-beer-server). Facts were read in that syllabus, in the Brewers Association's Draught Beer Quality Manual (fourth edition, 2019), in the Beer Judge Certification Program's 2021 Beer Style Guidelines (bjcp.org), in that program's Beer Fault List, in the Brewers Association's CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, and in 27 CFR 7.65 and 21 CFR 101.91 on ecfr.gov, all on 2026-10-07. Each question names the section it was written from. Licence: Own work. Every question, answer choice and explanation was written for this site from the public sources named on it. Nothing is taken from the exam, from its owner's sample questions, quizzes or paid courses, or from another practice test.
How it works
This Certified Beer Server practice test follows the United States syllabus its owner publishes. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Cicerone Certification Program.
Read the full guide
Where the questions lean
Keeping and serving beer is the longest part of the syllabus, so it holds 44 of the 92 questions: storage, draft systems, glassware and pouring. The exam's owner publishes no section weights for this level.
Style words and style numbers
The syllabus describes each style in words: bitterness from low to highly assertive, color from straw to black, alcohol from lower to very high. Its footnotes say the test also uses the ABV and IBU figures of the 2021 BJCP guidelines, so our style questions cite those.
Pairing beer with food
Part V of the syllabus asks only that a candidate understand beer and food work well together, with no specific interactions. This page has no questions on it.
Learn the alcohol words as ranges: lower is under 4.5% ABV, normal 4.5 to 6.0%, elevated 6.1 to 7.5%, high 7.6 to 10.0%.
Keep three draft numbers together: 38 °F in the cooler, 24 hours of chilling before tapping, line cleaning every 14 days.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the Certified Beer Server exam?
The owner's page describes 60 multiple choice questions, taken online in 30 minutes, with 75% (45 right) to pass. A 5-question quiz about the program comes first and needs 100%.
Is this a Cicerone beer server practice test?
Yes. Certified Beer Server is the first level of the Cicerone Certification Program, and this page practices its published syllabus. Nothing here comes from the exam, the owner's quizzes or its courses.
Do you need the Certified Beer Server before the Certified Cicerone exam?
Yes. The owner lists a pass on the Certified Beer Server exam as the prerequisite for the second level. Practice for that level is on our Certified Cicerone practice test.
Which Certified Beer Server syllabus does this follow?
The United States syllabus, version 6.0, updated August 1, 2024. The owner publishes separate syllabi for Canada, the United Kingdom and other regions, so check which version of the exam you will take.