Which type of bottle provides the greatest protection against skunking?

The brown bottle is the correct choice for providing the greatest protection against skunking, primarily due to the way it absorbs and blocks ultraviolet (UV) light. Skunking refers to the process where beer is affected by light, particularly UV light, which causes certain compounds in hops to break down and produce undesirable off-flavors, often described as a skunky aroma.

Brown bottles are specifically designed to filter out the majority of light wavelengths that can cause this negative reaction, thus preserving the quality and integrity of the beer. In contrast, clear bottles allow almost all light to penetrate, making them particularly vulnerable to skunking. Green bottles offer some protection but not as effectively as brown bottles since they do not block UV light as effectively.

This ability of brown bottles to protect against skunking is a key reason why many breweries prefer to use them for packaging their products, especially those with strong hop characteristics that are more susceptible to light exposure.