Columbia Bartending Exam Questions And
Answers
The Dram Shop Act
Don't serve people who are underage or intoxicated to the point that they might pose a danger to
themselves. Bartenders are liable for illegal actions that a person we serve might commit.
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
Amount of alcohol in the bloodstream, measured as a percentage
0.10% = 1 part alcohol per 1,000 parts blood
Legal driving limit is 0.08%
Approximate Drinks Per Hour
2
3
4
8
12
14
16+
BAC and Effect
0.05- Release of Inhibitions
0.08- DWI legal limit
0.10- Loss of coordination
0.20- Loss of emotional control
0.30- Walking Blackout
0.35- Coma, minimum lethal level
0.40+- DEATH
Six Main Factors That Affect a Person's BAC
1. Size (musculature, not fat content)
2. Rate of consumption
3. Strength of the drink
4. Gender
5. Food (before, not after)
6. Drug Use (illegal or legal)
Behavioral Cues of Intoxication (JIRC)
J- Loss of Judgement
I- Loss of Inhibitions
R- Slowed Reactions
C- Poor Coordination
BAC != Tolerance
Tolerance is how well someone adapts to exhibiting behavioral cues (JIRC)
How to Cut Someone Off
1. Saying no
2. Suggest a non-alcoholic alternative (food, soda, etc.)
,3. Suggesting drinking water
4. Blame manager or higher authority
5. Calling the bouncer
The Standard Drink
14 g / 0.5 oz of pure ethanol
12 oz beer (4-5%)
= 5 oz wine (9-14%)
= 1.5 oz liquor (a shot)
ABV and Proof
ABV (Alcohol by Volume): % of liquor comprised of alcohol
Proof: ABV*2, number
ABV: Beer (3-10%)
Pilsner: 3-6%
Lager: 4-5%
India Pale Ale (IPA): 6-7%
Stout: 5-10%
ABV: Wine (8-14%)
Sparkling Wine: 8-12%
Dry White: 10-12%
Cabernet: 11-14%
ABV: Fortified Wine (16-22%)
Sherry: 17-22%
Vermouth: 15-18%
Port: 16-20%
ABV: Spirits (20-70%)
Liqueurs: 15-25%
Liquors: 40-50%
Absinthe: 55-90%
Everclear: 96-98%
Vodka
Clear
Odor and tasteless
Neutral grain (barley, potato)
Low quality vodka smell like rubbing alcohol bc of congeners
Tito's, Grey Goose, Belvedere
Moscow Mule, Screwdriver
Gin
Clear
, Neutral grain
Juniper berries, dry, floral, bitter
Bombay Sapphire, Hendricks, Tanqueray
Tom Collins, Martini
Rum
Light to dark
Light: clear, un-aged, cleanest taste
Dark: longer aging process, aromatic, richer flavor
Distilled molasses
Can be flavored or spiced, sweet
Barcardi, Havana Club
Dark and Stormy, Daquiri, Mojito
Tequila
Light to dark (depends on age)
Blanco (white) / plata (silver): un-aged or <2 months in stainless steel barrels
Joven (young) / oro (gold): aged for couple months in neutral oak barrels, color added after
Reposado (rested): <1 year, any size oak barrel, subtler smoother finish
Añejo (aged): >1 year in small oak barrels, complex and smooth finish, darkest color
Blue agave
Spicy and fiery
Jose Cuervo, Patro, Don Julio
Margarita, Tequila Sunrise
Triple Sec
Clear
Neutral grain (orange peel flavor)
Sweet and citrusy
Grand Marnier, Cointreau
Long Island Iced Tea, Cosmo, Margarita
Whiskey
Dark
Neutral grain, oak barrel
Smoky, refined
Jameson, Johnny Walker, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet
Old fashioned
Canadian Whiskey
Produced in Canada
Aged in wood barrels
3+ years
Lightest
Base and flavoring whiskey
Answers
The Dram Shop Act
Don't serve people who are underage or intoxicated to the point that they might pose a danger to
themselves. Bartenders are liable for illegal actions that a person we serve might commit.
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
Amount of alcohol in the bloodstream, measured as a percentage
0.10% = 1 part alcohol per 1,000 parts blood
Legal driving limit is 0.08%
Approximate Drinks Per Hour
2
3
4
8
12
14
16+
BAC and Effect
0.05- Release of Inhibitions
0.08- DWI legal limit
0.10- Loss of coordination
0.20- Loss of emotional control
0.30- Walking Blackout
0.35- Coma, minimum lethal level
0.40+- DEATH
Six Main Factors That Affect a Person's BAC
1. Size (musculature, not fat content)
2. Rate of consumption
3. Strength of the drink
4. Gender
5. Food (before, not after)
6. Drug Use (illegal or legal)
Behavioral Cues of Intoxication (JIRC)
J- Loss of Judgement
I- Loss of Inhibitions
R- Slowed Reactions
C- Poor Coordination
BAC != Tolerance
Tolerance is how well someone adapts to exhibiting behavioral cues (JIRC)
How to Cut Someone Off
1. Saying no
2. Suggest a non-alcoholic alternative (food, soda, etc.)
,3. Suggesting drinking water
4. Blame manager or higher authority
5. Calling the bouncer
The Standard Drink
14 g / 0.5 oz of pure ethanol
12 oz beer (4-5%)
= 5 oz wine (9-14%)
= 1.5 oz liquor (a shot)
ABV and Proof
ABV (Alcohol by Volume): % of liquor comprised of alcohol
Proof: ABV*2, number
ABV: Beer (3-10%)
Pilsner: 3-6%
Lager: 4-5%
India Pale Ale (IPA): 6-7%
Stout: 5-10%
ABV: Wine (8-14%)
Sparkling Wine: 8-12%
Dry White: 10-12%
Cabernet: 11-14%
ABV: Fortified Wine (16-22%)
Sherry: 17-22%
Vermouth: 15-18%
Port: 16-20%
ABV: Spirits (20-70%)
Liqueurs: 15-25%
Liquors: 40-50%
Absinthe: 55-90%
Everclear: 96-98%
Vodka
Clear
Odor and tasteless
Neutral grain (barley, potato)
Low quality vodka smell like rubbing alcohol bc of congeners
Tito's, Grey Goose, Belvedere
Moscow Mule, Screwdriver
Gin
Clear
, Neutral grain
Juniper berries, dry, floral, bitter
Bombay Sapphire, Hendricks, Tanqueray
Tom Collins, Martini
Rum
Light to dark
Light: clear, un-aged, cleanest taste
Dark: longer aging process, aromatic, richer flavor
Distilled molasses
Can be flavored or spiced, sweet
Barcardi, Havana Club
Dark and Stormy, Daquiri, Mojito
Tequila
Light to dark (depends on age)
Blanco (white) / plata (silver): un-aged or <2 months in stainless steel barrels
Joven (young) / oro (gold): aged for couple months in neutral oak barrels, color added after
Reposado (rested): <1 year, any size oak barrel, subtler smoother finish
Añejo (aged): >1 year in small oak barrels, complex and smooth finish, darkest color
Blue agave
Spicy and fiery
Jose Cuervo, Patro, Don Julio
Margarita, Tequila Sunrise
Triple Sec
Clear
Neutral grain (orange peel flavor)
Sweet and citrusy
Grand Marnier, Cointreau
Long Island Iced Tea, Cosmo, Margarita
Whiskey
Dark
Neutral grain, oak barrel
Smoky, refined
Jameson, Johnny Walker, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet
Old fashioned
Canadian Whiskey
Produced in Canada
Aged in wood barrels
3+ years
Lightest
Base and flavoring whiskey
