Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

Which of the following is an amber to brown ale with low bitterness and rich caramel malt flavors?

1. American Porter

2. British Brown Ale

3. Iirish Stout

4. Wee Heavy

The correct answer is: Wee Heavy

The correct response describes a style that aligns with the characteristics of a Wee Heavy. This beer style is typically known for its rich caramel malt flavors, presenting a deep amber to brown color. It has a lower bitterness level, allowing the sweetness of the malt to come forward, which can result in flavors like toffee, caramel, and dark fruits. Wee Heavy is a Scottish ale known for its malt-forward profile, thus fitting the description given. While options related to other beer styles do exist, they either lean towards higher bitterness or present noticeable flavor profiles that include roasted malts, which may overshadow the caramel notes. For example, a British Brown Ale does have some of the caramel malt qualities but generally maintains a more balanced bitterness that might not be as low as that found in a Wee Heavy.