6 Beer Off-Flavors and How To Fix Them

Link to article
homebrew judging

Part of becoming a brewmaster is developing the ability to identify and address flavors and aromas that are not intended to be in your beer. We typically call these “off-flavors.”

From the infamous skunky smell to hints of canned vegetables, Drew Beechum (Simple Brewing, Experimental Brewing) walks us through 6 of the most common beer off-flavors.

And remember! You can always turn a less-than-drinkable beer into malt vinegar or use it as paint

Common Beer Off-Flavors

oxidation - Beer Off-Flavors
Oxidationwet cardboard, sherry, musty
skunk - Beer Off-Flavors
Lightstruckskunk spray, sulfur
DMS - Beer Off-Flavors
Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS)creamed corn, cooked vegetables
diacetyl - Beer Off-Flavors
Diacetylbuttered popcorn, butterscotch
acetaldehyde - Beer Off-Flavors
Acetaldehydegreen apple, fruity, solvent
chlorophenol - Beer Off-Flavors
ChlorophenolBand-Aid, mouthwash, medicinal
Was this article helpful?
YesNo