CICERONE - LEVEL 1 QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025-2026
What are the goals of a three-tier system - Answers Brewers & importers can only sell to a
wholesaler, who can only sell to a retailer, who can only sell to consumers. It required legal
separation between these tiers.
Describe the three- tier system. - Answers The three-tier system is supposed to make tax
collection easier for the state, protect consumers from abuses by companies that make or sell
alcohol, and create competition in the market.
How do you asses a beer shipment's physical condition and age when it is shipped to you? -
Answers 1. Check to see if the package is leaking or dented.
2. Check born on date or best by date (fresher always better).
3. Check temperature of product, should be cold upon delivery.
Who pays Federal Excise Tax? - Answers Brewery pays this
Who pays the State Excise Tax? - Answers Wholesaler pays this
Who pays Sales tax and local fees? - Answers Retailer pays this
Who Pays Income tax from beer sales? - Answers All parties that make a profit pay this.
What are some responsible alcohol serving practices? - Answers 1. Always tell customers what
the ABV of each beer
is on the menu.
2. Serve high ABV beers in small serving sizes (smaller glassware).
3. A beertender should serve responsibly. Never
serve someone who is visibly drunk.
What are the effects of alcohol on the body? - Answers Alcohol is a central nervous system
depressant. It affects people in very low concentrations. Even one drink can results in divided
attention and a narrowing of a person's "attentional field." Alcohol is absorbed in the
gastrointestinal tract by simple diffusion into the blood, mostly via the small intestine.
What can distributors and retailers do to ensure beer's freshness is preserved - Answers 1.
Rotate inventory by selling older beer first, removing out of date products from inventory, and
checking older beer without a date by tasting it next to a fresh example. 2. Refrigerated storage.
If stored warm that accelerates oxidation, autolysis, and potential infection off flavor
development. 3. Limit the beer's exposure to light to avoid skunking **RRLL (Rotate-Refridgerate
-LimitLight)
,What beers should be consumed fresh? - Answers It should always be assumed that when a
beer is released from the brewery it is ready to drink! Almost all beer styles are best consumed
fresh and the brewery will release the beer as soon as it is ready.
This is particularly true for hoppy beers, lighter beers, and all beer of typical strength.
Why and how do party pumps limit the flavor stability of beer? - Answers Party pumps limit the
flavor stability of the beer to less than one day because the beer immediately comes into
contact with oxygen that oxidizes it and with microbes that infect the beer.
What gases are acceptable to use serving beer on a draft system? - Answers Carbon Dioxide
and Nitrogen in a variety of blends. Never compressed air or oxygen.
Explain the structure and workings of a typical keg. - Answers When tapped, a keg's valve
(Sankey) admits gas into the headspace, which applies the pressure needed to push beer up
through the spear (or "down tube") and out of the keg up into the coupler and into the beer tube,
while maintaining the correct carbonation in the remaining beer.
Explain the components and workings of the pressure side of a draft system. - Answers A high-
pressure gas cylinder provides CO2. An attached Primary Regulator lowers the pressure to a
usable level. Each keg has its own Secondary Regulator. Sankey Couplers allow gas into the
headspace of the keg. If it's a long draw system it may use a Nitrogen Generator and Gas
Blender to add pressure to the system. A Beer Pump can also add pressure. Braided vinyl or
poly tubing Gas Line is used throughout.
Describe the one-way valves in a coupler. - Answers 1. The Thomas valve allows CO2 into the
keg but prevents beer from backing up into the gas line if the pressure drops.
2. The Check valve is for when the coupler is disconnected from the keg. It prevents beer
remaining in the beer line from flowing out through the coupler, preventing a mess when tapping
a fresh keg.
Describe a beer keg coupler - Answers The Coupler is important to the beer and pressure sides
of a draft system because as gas flows in the keg, beer is pushed out, all through the coupler.
The coupler pushes down the ball or poppet in the keg neck allowing gas to flow in and creating
pressure in the keg's headspace that pushes beer up through the spear and into the beer line to
the faucet. There are 6 different types of Sankey coupler.
Describe jumper lines and what they're used for in a draft system - Answers Jumper line is
flexible vinyl beer line in a long draw system that goes from the keg couplers to the bundles of
beer tube and also from the beer tube to the faucet shanks. The jumper line is just a piece of
tubing at either end of the system that makes the connections, to the keg on one end and the
faucet on the other. Because they're vinyl, they should be replaced annually (just like the vinyl
tubing in a direct draw draft system).
,Describe FOB's (Foam on Beer) and what they are used for in a draft system. - Answers FOB's
are used on long draw systems. A FOB is a float in a sealed bowl that drops when beer flow
stops because the keg has run out. The FOB fills the beer line with dispensed gas which beeps
the line full of pressurized beer while the keg is changed. FOB's save the bar operating coasts by
limiting beer waste. FOB's and draft lines should be cleaned every two weeks.
Describe the various types of beer line that can be used in a draft system. - Answers 1. Barrier
tubing - Low resistanec barrier tubing is used in long draw trunk lines. It's good for keeping
oxygen from contacting beer. It has a glass smooth lining that inhibits beer stone, microbial
growth, and flavor leakage.
2. Vinyl tubing - More oxygen permeable and needs to be replaced annually, especially jumper
lines.
3. Stainless Steel lines - Jockey box or draft tower.
Describe the various types of beer line that can be used in a draft system. - Answers 1. Barrier
tubing - Low resistanec barrier tubing is used in long draw trunk lines. It's good for keeping
oxygen from contacting beer. It has a glass smooth lining that inhibits beer stone, microbial
growth, and flavor leakage.
2. Vinyl tubing - More oxygen permeable and needs to be replaced annually, especially jumper
lines.
3. Stainless Steel lines - Jockey box or draft tower.
Discribe beer faucets. - Answers Beer faucets dispense beer and hold the tap handle up. The
faucet is connected to the wall or draft tower via a shank.
- US faucets attach to standard shanks(1-1/8" diameter & 18 threads).Standard beer faucets are
rear sealing and have vent holes that need to be carefully cleaned and inspected during routine
cleaning.
- Ventless or forward-sealing (Perlick)faucets are easier to clean.
Beer needs to remain the same temperature all the way through the draft system or it will be
overly foamy when poured. What are the ways to ensure it is kept cold? - Answers 1. Direct draw
draft systems are the simplest tap system. They are simple kegerator with faucets or tap
towers connected to a refrigerated box of kegs.
2. Air- Cooled draft systems are direct draw systems that use a fan to blow cool air from the
refrigerator into the tap tower or shadow boxes in the wall.
3. Glycol cooled draft systems are used for long draw systems where the beer lines are cooled
by a power pack and glycol as they run between the cooler and the faucet.
, What is the standard temperature of a draft beer system? - Answers 38 F
If there is no beer coming out of the faucet what are the most likely issues/ solutions ? There
are 6 problems/solutions - Answers 1. Co2 tank is empty. *Replace it*
2. Regulator is shut off or main Co2 tank valve is closed *Open it*
3. Keg is empty. *Replace it*
4. Coupler on keg is not engaged. *Properly tap keg*
5. Check ball in in the couplers Thomas valve is stuck. *Free it*
6. Beer pump of FOB issues in long draw system. *Reset FOB or check the gas flow to the
pumps*
If the beer is excessively foamy coming out of the faucet what are the likely causes and
solutions? *10 problems/solutions - Answers 1. Keg is too warm *let chill*.
2. Kinked beer line *replace*
3. Beer freezing in line *increase glycol temp*
4. Coupler or faucet washers bad *replace*
5. CO2 ran out or is leaking *replace or service*
6. Keg valve seal is torn *report to distributor*
7. Physical obstruction at coupler-valve junction *gas is going directly into beer, replace coupler*
8. Clogged faucet vent holes *clean*
9. Wrong mixture of gases *adjust*
10. Glycol pump issue *fix power pack*
If the beer coming out of the tap is flat, what are the likely causes and solutions? - Answers 1.
System pressure is too low (turn it up, 12-14 PSI is the norm) 2. Dirty glassware (causes CO2 to
come out of solution rapidly). 3. Beer temp is too cold (the CO2 comes out of solution as the
beer warms up, if it's too cold to begin with, the CO2 may not come out of solution as readily)
How often do beer lines need to be replaced? - Answers 1. All vinyl lines and jumpers in direct
draw systems should be replaced every year. 2. In long draw trunk lines should be replaced after
10 years or after they're imparting flavor into the beer.
3. Beer line may need to be replaced after being used for root beer, spirits, fruit beers and ciders
that may permanently contaminate a line and even adjacent lines "
What are the goals of a three-tier system - Answers Brewers & importers can only sell to a
wholesaler, who can only sell to a retailer, who can only sell to consumers. It required legal
separation between these tiers.
Describe the three- tier system. - Answers The three-tier system is supposed to make tax
collection easier for the state, protect consumers from abuses by companies that make or sell
alcohol, and create competition in the market.
How do you asses a beer shipment's physical condition and age when it is shipped to you? -
Answers 1. Check to see if the package is leaking or dented.
2. Check born on date or best by date (fresher always better).
3. Check temperature of product, should be cold upon delivery.
Who pays Federal Excise Tax? - Answers Brewery pays this
Who pays the State Excise Tax? - Answers Wholesaler pays this
Who pays Sales tax and local fees? - Answers Retailer pays this
Who Pays Income tax from beer sales? - Answers All parties that make a profit pay this.
What are some responsible alcohol serving practices? - Answers 1. Always tell customers what
the ABV of each beer
is on the menu.
2. Serve high ABV beers in small serving sizes (smaller glassware).
3. A beertender should serve responsibly. Never
serve someone who is visibly drunk.
What are the effects of alcohol on the body? - Answers Alcohol is a central nervous system
depressant. It affects people in very low concentrations. Even one drink can results in divided
attention and a narrowing of a person's "attentional field." Alcohol is absorbed in the
gastrointestinal tract by simple diffusion into the blood, mostly via the small intestine.
What can distributors and retailers do to ensure beer's freshness is preserved - Answers 1.
Rotate inventory by selling older beer first, removing out of date products from inventory, and
checking older beer without a date by tasting it next to a fresh example. 2. Refrigerated storage.
If stored warm that accelerates oxidation, autolysis, and potential infection off flavor
development. 3. Limit the beer's exposure to light to avoid skunking **RRLL (Rotate-Refridgerate
-LimitLight)
,What beers should be consumed fresh? - Answers It should always be assumed that when a
beer is released from the brewery it is ready to drink! Almost all beer styles are best consumed
fresh and the brewery will release the beer as soon as it is ready.
This is particularly true for hoppy beers, lighter beers, and all beer of typical strength.
Why and how do party pumps limit the flavor stability of beer? - Answers Party pumps limit the
flavor stability of the beer to less than one day because the beer immediately comes into
contact with oxygen that oxidizes it and with microbes that infect the beer.
What gases are acceptable to use serving beer on a draft system? - Answers Carbon Dioxide
and Nitrogen in a variety of blends. Never compressed air or oxygen.
Explain the structure and workings of a typical keg. - Answers When tapped, a keg's valve
(Sankey) admits gas into the headspace, which applies the pressure needed to push beer up
through the spear (or "down tube") and out of the keg up into the coupler and into the beer tube,
while maintaining the correct carbonation in the remaining beer.
Explain the components and workings of the pressure side of a draft system. - Answers A high-
pressure gas cylinder provides CO2. An attached Primary Regulator lowers the pressure to a
usable level. Each keg has its own Secondary Regulator. Sankey Couplers allow gas into the
headspace of the keg. If it's a long draw system it may use a Nitrogen Generator and Gas
Blender to add pressure to the system. A Beer Pump can also add pressure. Braided vinyl or
poly tubing Gas Line is used throughout.
Describe the one-way valves in a coupler. - Answers 1. The Thomas valve allows CO2 into the
keg but prevents beer from backing up into the gas line if the pressure drops.
2. The Check valve is for when the coupler is disconnected from the keg. It prevents beer
remaining in the beer line from flowing out through the coupler, preventing a mess when tapping
a fresh keg.
Describe a beer keg coupler - Answers The Coupler is important to the beer and pressure sides
of a draft system because as gas flows in the keg, beer is pushed out, all through the coupler.
The coupler pushes down the ball or poppet in the keg neck allowing gas to flow in and creating
pressure in the keg's headspace that pushes beer up through the spear and into the beer line to
the faucet. There are 6 different types of Sankey coupler.
Describe jumper lines and what they're used for in a draft system - Answers Jumper line is
flexible vinyl beer line in a long draw system that goes from the keg couplers to the bundles of
beer tube and also from the beer tube to the faucet shanks. The jumper line is just a piece of
tubing at either end of the system that makes the connections, to the keg on one end and the
faucet on the other. Because they're vinyl, they should be replaced annually (just like the vinyl
tubing in a direct draw draft system).
,Describe FOB's (Foam on Beer) and what they are used for in a draft system. - Answers FOB's
are used on long draw systems. A FOB is a float in a sealed bowl that drops when beer flow
stops because the keg has run out. The FOB fills the beer line with dispensed gas which beeps
the line full of pressurized beer while the keg is changed. FOB's save the bar operating coasts by
limiting beer waste. FOB's and draft lines should be cleaned every two weeks.
Describe the various types of beer line that can be used in a draft system. - Answers 1. Barrier
tubing - Low resistanec barrier tubing is used in long draw trunk lines. It's good for keeping
oxygen from contacting beer. It has a glass smooth lining that inhibits beer stone, microbial
growth, and flavor leakage.
2. Vinyl tubing - More oxygen permeable and needs to be replaced annually, especially jumper
lines.
3. Stainless Steel lines - Jockey box or draft tower.
Describe the various types of beer line that can be used in a draft system. - Answers 1. Barrier
tubing - Low resistanec barrier tubing is used in long draw trunk lines. It's good for keeping
oxygen from contacting beer. It has a glass smooth lining that inhibits beer stone, microbial
growth, and flavor leakage.
2. Vinyl tubing - More oxygen permeable and needs to be replaced annually, especially jumper
lines.
3. Stainless Steel lines - Jockey box or draft tower.
Discribe beer faucets. - Answers Beer faucets dispense beer and hold the tap handle up. The
faucet is connected to the wall or draft tower via a shank.
- US faucets attach to standard shanks(1-1/8" diameter & 18 threads).Standard beer faucets are
rear sealing and have vent holes that need to be carefully cleaned and inspected during routine
cleaning.
- Ventless or forward-sealing (Perlick)faucets are easier to clean.
Beer needs to remain the same temperature all the way through the draft system or it will be
overly foamy when poured. What are the ways to ensure it is kept cold? - Answers 1. Direct draw
draft systems are the simplest tap system. They are simple kegerator with faucets or tap
towers connected to a refrigerated box of kegs.
2. Air- Cooled draft systems are direct draw systems that use a fan to blow cool air from the
refrigerator into the tap tower or shadow boxes in the wall.
3. Glycol cooled draft systems are used for long draw systems where the beer lines are cooled
by a power pack and glycol as they run between the cooler and the faucet.
, What is the standard temperature of a draft beer system? - Answers 38 F
If there is no beer coming out of the faucet what are the most likely issues/ solutions ? There
are 6 problems/solutions - Answers 1. Co2 tank is empty. *Replace it*
2. Regulator is shut off or main Co2 tank valve is closed *Open it*
3. Keg is empty. *Replace it*
4. Coupler on keg is not engaged. *Properly tap keg*
5. Check ball in in the couplers Thomas valve is stuck. *Free it*
6. Beer pump of FOB issues in long draw system. *Reset FOB or check the gas flow to the
pumps*
If the beer is excessively foamy coming out of the faucet what are the likely causes and
solutions? *10 problems/solutions - Answers 1. Keg is too warm *let chill*.
2. Kinked beer line *replace*
3. Beer freezing in line *increase glycol temp*
4. Coupler or faucet washers bad *replace*
5. CO2 ran out or is leaking *replace or service*
6. Keg valve seal is torn *report to distributor*
7. Physical obstruction at coupler-valve junction *gas is going directly into beer, replace coupler*
8. Clogged faucet vent holes *clean*
9. Wrong mixture of gases *adjust*
10. Glycol pump issue *fix power pack*
If the beer coming out of the tap is flat, what are the likely causes and solutions? - Answers 1.
System pressure is too low (turn it up, 12-14 PSI is the norm) 2. Dirty glassware (causes CO2 to
come out of solution rapidly). 3. Beer temp is too cold (the CO2 comes out of solution as the
beer warms up, if it's too cold to begin with, the CO2 may not come out of solution as readily)
How often do beer lines need to be replaced? - Answers 1. All vinyl lines and jumpers in direct
draw systems should be replaced every year. 2. In long draw trunk lines should be replaced after
10 years or after they're imparting flavor into the beer.
3. Beer line may need to be replaced after being used for root beer, spirits, fruit beers and ciders
that may permanently contaminate a line and even adjacent lines "
