Why can your beer smell old and mold? History does not always end in an appetizing aroma
Sometimes, after elaboration and patience, beer reveals unpleasant surprises: moisture notes, decomposition wood or even dead mouse – yes, those things can happen, and are not precisely the profile we are looking for in a good beer. Does it sound familiar?
The villains behind the moisture flavor in your beer
The most common guilty is the mold – that microorganism that sneaks into every corner. From the ingredients to the equipment, the mold can appear in different phases and in different formats. What begins as a stain or a smell, can end up ruining a whole batch if it is not detected in time.
Where does the mold come from?
The mold does not discriminate: it can bloom in malts, hops and even in additional ingredients if the conditions are conducive. Humidity and some heat in storage are the main allies of these fungi. Keeping your ingredients in a cool and dry place, preferably in sealed containers, is only the first step to prevent them from becoming a crop broth for the undesirable.
The fermentation process: a setting conducive to the mold
Once in fermentation, the risk persists. If the refrigerator or fermentation tank are not totally clean, the mold can be infiltrated and form a visible layer on the liquid surface. In addition, teams such as tubes and beer lines are favorite places for the mold to be hidden and multiply if proper attention is not dedicated.
Hygienic management and caution at each stage
From the shift to the bottling, each step requires thorough attention. An carelessness in cleaning, or even leaving small amounts of water in the joints or in the valves, may be enough for the mold to make theirs. Constant hygiene is the best defense against cross pollution.
Prevent invasion in lines and taps
The lines and caps of the barrels are black points for the mold if they do not remain in good condition. The absence of cooling, humidity and darkness create a perfect cocktail for fungi. Remember to clean them and disinfect them regularly can save many discomforts and damaged beers.
What do we pay attention to your beer to be pure and fresh?
Be vigilant in each step of the process, from the selection of ingredients until the time of serving it, makes the difference. Prevention is simpler than recovery, and small details in hygiene can prevent your beer from smelling of humid basement or old paper.
If you are interested in deepening the art of maintaining a clean beer, there are many techniques and tricks that we will explore in future tips. The key is not to give the mold and enjoy each sip of the really pure and delicious product you want to create.
