E115: Preventing Off-flavors in Homebrew Beer

We're broadcasting from Monday Night Brewing's Garage this week.

Does your homebrew blonde ale continually have an underripe apple taste? Or is there a rancid butter taste in your porter? Does your IPA taste more like band-aids than tropical hops?

This is the show for you. BJCP Grand Master beer judge Mike Castagno was an award-winning homebrewer before going pro at Decatur, GA's Twain's Brewpub. And BJCP Certified beer judge Nate Watkins is another award-winning prolific homebrewer. We talk about some of the mistakes homebrewers make, the off-flavors that can crop up, and how to fix them.

We discuss some of the things you can do before you brew to minimize the risk of off-flavors as well as sharing some details on common off-flavors such as acetaldehyde, diacetyl, chlorophenol, fusel / alcoholic, DMS (dimethyl sulfide), esters, oxidation, and the much-dreaded skunking. Mike and Nate also share some info on homebrew clubs and ways you can train your palate to recognize off-flavors.

Plus, we talk to Michael Lowenberg of Modern Hops about the upcoming Day of the Juice festival.

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Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.
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