Which of the following describes established tastes when flavoring beer?

The correct choice identifies the five basic tastes that are widely recognized in the context of flavoring beer: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. These fundamental taste categories help describe how individuals perceive flavors in beverages, including beer. Each of these tastes plays a critical role in the overall flavor profile:

• Sweet can come from malt sugars, which can contribute to the beer's body and roundness.

• Salty can be influenced by certain ingredients or minerals in the water used for brewing, which adds depth to the flavor.

• Sour pertains to the tartness that can arise in some beer styles, particularly those that are fermented with wild yeast or bacteria, adding complexity.

• Bitter is primarily derived from hops, which balance the sweetness of the malt and adds a refreshing quality to the beer.

• Umami reflects savory flavors that may emerge through specific malt or adjunct choices, enhancing the overall taste experience.

The other choices—spicy, citrus, floral; rich, creamy, astringent; and fruity, woody, smoky—describe specific flavor characteristics or attributes rather than basic tastes. While they are important elements in the sensory analysis of beer, they do not encapsulate the fundamental