CICERONE LEVEL 1 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What are the goals of a three-tier system - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Brewery pays this
Who pays the State Excise Tax? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Wholesaler pays this
Who pays Sales tax and local fees? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Retailer pays this
Who Pays Income tax from beer sales? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅All parties that make a profit pay this.
What are some responsible alcohol serving practices? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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 Rotate inventory by selling older beer first, removing out of date products from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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Carbon
Dioxide and Nitrogen in a variety of blends. Never compressed air or oxygen.
Explain the structure and workings of a typical keg. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅38 F
If there is no beer coming out of the faucet what are the most likely issues/ solutions ? There are 6
problems/solutions - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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*
What are the goals of a three-tier system - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Brewery pays this
Who pays the State Excise Tax? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Wholesaler pays this
Who pays Sales tax and local fees? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Retailer pays this
Who Pays Income tax from beer sales? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅All parties that make a profit pay this.
What are some responsible alcohol serving practices? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Carbon
Dioxide and Nitrogen in a variety of blends. Never compressed air or oxygen.
Explain the structure and workings of a typical keg. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅38 F
If there is no beer coming out of the faucet what are the most likely issues/ solutions ? There are 6
problems/solutions - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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*
