Master Brewer Certification International Cuisine & Flavors 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When pairing beer with spicy Thai green curry, which beer characteristic is most effective at tempering the heat?
- High bitterness from hops
- Residual sweetness and low alcohol (Correct answer)
- High carbonation and dry finish
- Roasted malt character
Correct answer: Residual sweetness and low alcohol
Residual sweetness counteracts capsaicin heat, while low alcohol avoids intensifying the burn.
Question 2: Which Belgian beer style is the traditional accompaniment to moules-frites (mussels and fries)?
- Dubbel
- Witbier (Correct answer)
- Lambic
- Tripel
Correct answer: Witbier
Belgian witbier's light body, citrus notes, and spice complement the brininess of mussels without overwhelming them.
Question 3: A Bavarian Weisswurst breakfast traditionally pairs with which beer style as the classic accompaniment?
- Dunkelweizen
- Hefeweizen (Correct answer)
- Märzenbier
- Kölsch
Correct answer: Hefeweizen
Hefeweizen's banana and clove esters naturally bridge the veal-and-parsley flavor of Weisswurst in Bavarian tradition.
Question 4: Which flavor compound in Mexican mole negro is best bridged by the roasted notes of a robust porter?
- Capsaicin from dried chilies
- Acidity from tomatoes
- Bitter chocolate and dried fruit (Correct answer)
- Cumin and oregano
Correct answer: Bitter chocolate and dried fruit
The chocolate and dried-fruit character in mole negro shares roasted-bitter compounds with porter malt, creating a complement bridge.
Question 5: What characteristic of Japanese lager makes it best suited for pairing with delicate sushi?
- High hop bitterness
- Clean, neutral profile with light body (Correct answer)
- Strong malt sweetness
- High alcohol content
Correct answer: Clean, neutral profile with light body
Japanese lager's clean, restrained profile avoids competing with the subtle umami and delicate fish flavors of sushi.
Question 6: The lactic acid in fermented Korean kimchi pairs most harmoniously with which beer style?
- American IPA
- Berliner Weisse (Correct answer)
- Imperial Stout
- Brown Ale
Correct answer: Berliner Weisse
Berliner Weisse's own lactic acidity bridges the sour fermented notes in kimchi through shared organic acid chemistry.
Question 7: Ethiopian tej, a traditional honey wine, shares the closest flavor profile with which beer style?
- Braggot (Correct answer)
- Lambic
- Gose
- Saison
Correct answer: Braggot
Braggot is a hybrid of beer and mead that, like tej, centers honey fermentation alongside grain, sharing floral sweetness and mild tartness.
Master Brewer Certification International Cuisine & Flavors 2
When pairing beer with spicy Thai green curry, which beer characteristic is most effective at tempering the heat?