IBUs measure the amount of ___ in beer

IBUs measure the amount of ___ in beer

• A. Malt
• B. Hops
• C. Alpha acids
• D. Yeast

Answer: (C)

IBUs quantify bitterness in beer by measuring the amount of iso-alpha acids that form from alpha acids in hops during the boil. Hop alpha acids are the compounds initially present in hops; when heated, they isomerize into iso-alpha acids, which are the primary contributors to perceived bitterness. Malt and yeast don’t create these iso-alpha acids in significant amounts, so they don’t set the IBU level. So the measure is all about the alpha acids from hops, specifically the iso-alpha acids that give that characteristic bitterness.

IBUs quantify bitterness in beer by measuring the amount of iso-alpha acids that form from alpha acids in hops during the boil. Hop alpha acids are the compounds initially present in hops; when heated, they isomerize into iso-alpha acids, which are the primary contributors to perceived bitterness. Malt and yeast don’t create these iso-alpha acids in significant amounts, so they don’t set the IBU level. So the measure is all about the alpha acids from hops, specifically the iso-alpha acids that give that characteristic bitterness.