HomeBrew Off Flavors and How to Avoid



Tastes/Smells Like:
Green apples, rotten-apples, freshly cut pumpkin
Possible Causes:
Acetaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical produced by yeast during fermentation.
It is usually converted into Ethanol alcohol, although this process may take longer in
beers with high alcohol content or when not enough yeast is pitched. Some bacteria
can cause green apple flavors as well.
How to Avoid:
Let the beer age and condition over a couple months time. This will give the yeast
time to convert the Acetaldehyde into Ethanol. Always use high quality yeast and make
sure you are pitching the correct amount for the gravity of the wort or make a yeast


Tastes/Smells Like:
“hot” sensation in the throat
Possible Causes:
Fusel alcohols such as propanol, butanol, isobutanol, and isoamyl alcohol as well
as phenolic alcohols such as tyrosol are usually responsible for unpleasant alcohol
flavors. Limited amounts of these alcohols can be desirable in high alcohol beers such
as barley wines or strong ales and are much more noticeable in lighter style beers. The
most common source for such alcohols is fermenting at too high of a temperature,
however, keeping beer on the trub for too long or oxidation can cause this as well.
How to Avoid:
Avoid fermenting at temperatures exceeding 80ºF. If the beer is going to be sitting
in the fermenter for longer than a couple weeks, it is a good idea to remove as much
sediment from the wort as possible before transferring it to the fermenter. A secondary
fermenter can also be used to help reduce the amount of contact time the beer has
with the trub.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Tart, vinegary, tannin, drying, puckering sensation, may feel powdery or metallic in the
mouth, like sucking on a grape skin or a tea bag
Possible Causes:
Astringency can be caused by many different factors. Polyphenols or tannins are the
number one cause of such flavors. Tannins are found in the skins or husks of the
grain as well as in the skin of fruit. Steeping grain for too long or grain that has been
excessively milled or crushed can release tannins. When mashing, if the pH exceeds
5.2 – 5.6, astringent flavors can be produced. Over-hopping can also lend a hand in
creating astringent qualities.
How to Avoid:
Avoid grain that has been “over-milled”. Grain should be cracked open but not crushed
or shredded. When sparging, pay close attention to the temperature and the amount
of the water used. When steeping grains, be sure to take them out before the water
gets to a boil. Fruits should never be boiled in the wort; instead, they can be added to
the fermenter or to water that is hot but not boiling for 15-30 minutes. Make sure that
the amount and varieties of hops used are the correct types for the style of beer.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Plastic, Vinyl, Iodine
Possible Causes:
to a similar medicinal taste.
How to Avoid:


Tastes/Smells Like:
Apple Cider, Wine, Acetaldehyde (apples)
Possible Causes:
Using too much corn or cane sugar is the most common cause for wine or cidery
flavors. Generally, 1lb of sugar per 5 gallon batch is considered the limit before cidery
flavors start developing. Acetaldehyde can also give off a cider-like quality.
How to Avoid:
Try cutting down on the amount of corn or cane sugar being used. Using an alternate
source of fermentable sugar can help to reduce cidery or winey flavors. Dried or Liquid
malt extract will not give off any cider flavors. Honey is another good substitution as
it is almost fully fermentable but it will leave a slight to strong honey aroma and taste
depending on how much is used. If the cause is the yeast rather than cane or corn
sugar, lagering may help cidery flavors to dissipate over time.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Butter, Rancid Butter, Butterscotch, Slickness in the mouth and tongue
Possible Causes:
Diacetyl is naturally produced by all yeast during fermentation and is then
“reabsorbed” by yeast cells. Increased diacetyl or diacetyl that is not reabsorbed
may be a result of high flocculating yeast, weak or mutated yeast, over or under
oxygenating, low fermentation temperatures and weak or short boils. It is generally
regarded as a flaw when detected in lagers. Some brewers, and drinkers alike, desire
small amounts in ales.
How to Avoid:
Taking the following steps will help yeast to properly reabsorb diacetyl in wort: Yeast
that is highly flocculant may fall out of suspension before it gets a chance to absorb
the diacetyl, using medium flocculation yeast should give the yeast a good chance
to absorb diacetyl. Always use high quality yeast and avoid weak or possibly mutated
strands that may be incapable of handling diacetyl properly. Allow yeast to begin
initial growth with the use of a yeast starter. Supply sufficient oxygen for yeast growth,
but avoid over oxygenating especially after pitching yeast. Allow enough time for
yeast to fully ferment at appropriate temperatures.

Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS)

Tastes/Smells Like:
Cooked vegetables, especially creamed corn, cabbage, tomato, shellfish/oyster-like
Possible Causes:
S-methyl methionine (SMM) is created during the malting process of grain and is
later converted to DMS when heated. Darker base grains have less DMS as the kilning
process converts SMM to DMS and drives it off before going into the wort. This makes
DMS naturally more prevalent in pale ales and lagers.
How to Avoid:
When boiling wort, DMS is driven off through evaporation. It is very important to
always maintain a strong rolling boil for at least one hour. Some brewers boil for
90 minutes to ensure that as much DMS is driven off as possible. Avoid letting
condensation drip back into the wort and never cover your kettle completely during
the boil. Long cooling times can also lead to excess amounts of DMS. Cool your wort
to pitching temperature as quickly as possible with a wort chiller or ice bath. Finally,
a strong fermentation with lots of Co2 production helps to clean up DMS since the
bubbles carry DMS away, so pitching high quality yeast is a must.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Possible Causes:
Esters are a naturally occurring byproduct of fermentation. Certain ales are supposed
to have these fruity flavors, such as Belgian ales and Hefeweizens (German Wheat
beer) and certain types of yeast produce more esters than others. Strong fruity flavors
or fruity flavors that are inappropriate for the style of beer are sometimes a result of
under pitching or high fermentation temperatures. As a general rule, the higher the
fermentation temperature, the more esters the yeast will produce. In addition to high
fermentation temperatures, low oxygen levels can also help increase the production
of esters.
How to Avoid:
Always pitch enough yeast for the gravity of your beer and oxygenate well. Keep
fermentation temperatures under 75ºF when possible. Fermenting over 75ºF has
been shown to drastically increase esters. Fermenting between 60F – 65F will reduce
ester production considerably, however, be prepared for a slower fermentation. Lastly,
always use the correct yeast for the style of beer being brewed. Yeast strains made for
Belgian or German wheat beers are made to produce fruity characteristics, so if you
are trying to avoid beers that taste like bananas, avoid using these strains.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Freshly cut grass, musty,
Possible Causes:
Musty, grassy aromas and flavors are usually the result of grains or extract that have
developed mold or bacteria prior to being used. Aldehydes can occasionally form on
old malt, which can lead to a grassy flavor. Hops, if not processed correctly prior to
packaging/storing, can also develop similar off flavors.
How to Avoid:
Always store grains or extract in a cool, dry, dark place. Check ingredients for
discoloration, off smells or tastes, prior to brewing. Milling grain just prior to brewing
will help to keep it fresh. Pre-milled grain should be used in 2-4 weeks from the time
it is milled. Always use high quality hops. If using homegrown hops, make sure to
properly cure them before long-term storage. As a general rule, if ingredients look,
smell and/or taste good, they should be fine to use.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Raw grain, dry, flavors comparable to astringency from tannins and/or oxidization
Possible Causes:
Over milled grain can cause husky, grainy off flavors. Highly toasted malts can also
contribute to husky, grainy qualities. These flavors are most common in all-grain
brews due to the amount of grain being used and the need to mash and sparge.
How to Avoid:
Following the same precautions to avoid astringency should help with any grainy or
husky flavors. Avoid grain that has been shredded or crushed. When using homemade
toasted grains, allow them to age for 1-2 weeks after milling to allow harsh aromas and
flavors to dissipate. Cold conditioning a husky or grainy tasting beer will usually help
the off flavors to fall out of suspension.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Cough syrup, mouthwash, Band-Aid™, smoke, clove-like (spicy)
Possible Causes:
A variety of different phenols are almost always the cause for medicinal flavors in beer.
Phenols can cause solvent, astringent, plastic and medicinal flavors. Medicinal-tasting
phenols are usually brought out during mashing and/or sparging and are caused by
incorrect pH levels, water amounts and temperatures. Using chlorine or iodine-based
sanitizers improperly can bring out Chlorophenols. Yeast also produces phenols, and
a clove-like characteristic is deliberate in some ale, especially Hefeweizen and other
wheat beers.
How to Avoid:
Follow proper mashing and sparging techniques and always follow the specific
directions for different sanitizers. Taking the same precautions to avoid Chlorophenols
and astringency should help to wipe out the chances of medicinal flavors. Always use
the proper yeast for the style of beer being brewed.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Metal, mainly iron, also described as tasting like pennies or blood, Felt on the front
of the mouth and back of the throat
Possible Causes:
Wort being boiled in unprocessed metals, mainly iron, but also aluminum, and steel
(excluding stainless) is usually the source of metallic flavors. Metallic flavors can also
be extracted from metal brewing equipment, bottle caps and/or kegs. Using water
that has high levels of iron will impart iron flavors. Improperly stored grains can also
cause metallic off flavors.
How to Avoid:
Use stainless steel pots and brewing equipment (fittings, spoons, etc.) when possible.
Avoid using iron for anything that will be coming in contact with beer/wort. If using
a ceramic coated steel pot, always check for cracks or scratches before using. Stainless
steel will not give off any metallic flavors. Aluminum pots will generally only cause
metallic flavors when using alkaline water with a pH over 9. If using an aluminum
pot, you can “bake” the pot in an oven at 250ºF for 6 hours to increase the protective
oxides. Always use fresh, properly stored grain. Avoid using water with iron in it, such
as unfiltered well water.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Mold, mildew, musty, like mold on bread
Possible Causes:
Mold can grow in beer and wort and is almost always the result of storing fermenting
beer in a damp, dank area. Using extract or grain that has developed mold can impart
moldy, mildewy flavors as well.
How to Avoid:
Always store your fermenter in a dry, dark place. Avoid storing your fermenter in
damp, dank or humid surroundings. Check all ingredients for off smells, flavors and/
or discoloration prior to brewing with them. Discard any moldy grain. If mold is found
in malt extract, it is recommended that it be thrown out. Moldy extract can still be
used if the mold is scraped off but be prepared for off flavors in the final product. If
mold is found in the fermenter or beer, it is possible to save the batch by scraping off
as much mold as possible. However, by the time mold is seen, it has usually infected
the entire fermenter.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Stale or old, wet cardboard, sherry, papery, pineapple, decaying vegetables, Increased
bitterness, harshness
Possible Causes:
Oxidation occurs when oxygen negatively reacts with the molecules in the wort or beer.
An excessive level of oxygen being introduced to the beer, especially while wort is still
warm or after fermentation is complete, can create cardboard of sherry-like flavors.
Too much headspace in bottles can lead to oxidation as well. On the other hand,
aeration of wort before pitching yeast is necessary for yeast and good fermentation.
How to Avoid:

Oxidation is almost always a result of unnecessary splashing of fermented beer. When
transferring beer from one vessel to the next, prevent splashing by transferring beer
with tubing rather than pouring straight in. Keep the end of the transfer tubing
beneath the liquid line and avoid getting air pockets in the transfer tubing. Also, keep
exposure of wort to outside air at a minimum. Hot side aeration refers to wort becoming oxidized while it is hot. Warm liquid is
more inclined to absorb oxygen and therefore, it is recommended that when wort
is over 80ºF, splashing be avoided. During and directly after the boil splashing is not
much of a concern, as oxygen can’t really dissolve into liquid that hot. Cool wort as
quickly as possible and do not aerate wort until it is under 80ºF.
When bottling, only leave about ½” of headspace. The use of “oxygen absorbing”
bottle caps may help keep oxygen out of the bottle. When kegging, purge kegs with
Co2 to flush oxygen out of the headspace.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Salt, detected on the front sides of the tongue
Possible Causes:
Adding too much gypsum or Epsom salt can create an overly salty beer.
How to Avoid:
Never add brewing salts to your water unless you know the original salt content of the
water, how the salts will effect the water you are using and how much to use. Certain
beers are known for their slightly salty nature such as beer from Burton-on-Trent.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Aroma of skunk, musty, can be similar to burned rubber or cat musk
Possible Causes:
When hops are exposed to UV rays from sunlight or florescent lights, the alpha acids
breakdown and react with the hydrogen sulfide that the yeast make. This reaction
creates mercaptan. Mercaptan is the same chemical skunks secrete when they spray
which is why the smell of “light struck” beer is so similar to that of a skunk.
How to Avoid:
When fermenting beer in a clear container, always keep it out of any direct sunlight
or florescent lamps. A simple paper bag or towel wrapped around the carboy will help
to keep light out. All clear containers will let UV light in, however, brown bottles will
filter a majority of UV rays and help to keep your beer “skunkless” for longer. Avoid
green or clear bottles as these let almost all UV light in. Light-colored beers and beers
with a lot of hops are more prone to becoming skunky. Dark beers and beers that
utilize isomerized hop extracts are less susceptible to becoming light struck.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Soap, detergent, oily, fatty
Possible Causes:
Keeping beer in the primary fermenter for a long time after fermentation is complete
can cause soapy flavors. After a while, the fatty acids in the trub start to break down
and soap is essentially created.
How to Avoid:
Transfer beer into a secondary if you plan on aging it in the fermenter for a long
period of time. Very light beers and lagers are more susceptible to absorbing and
exhibiting off flavors than ales and darker beers.


Tastes/Smells Like:
Paint thinner, nail polish remover (acetone), harsh, sharp, in extreme cases can cause
a burning sensation of tongue and throat, comparable to harsh alcohol or estery
Possible Causes:
Solvent-like flavors and aromas are usually due to a combination of very high
fermentation temperature and oxidation of the beer. Similar flavors can also result
from using plastic that isn’t food grade.
How to Avoid:
Avoid fermenting at temperatures higher than the suggested range for the yeast
being used. Avoid oxidation of beer. Never use plastic or vinyl equipment that is not
marked as food grade. Some food grade plastics leach toxins after reaching a certain
temperature. If plastic parts will be exposed to hot liquids or high temperatures,
check the temperature rating with the supplier or manufacturer.

Sulfur/Hydrogen Sulfide

Tastes/Smells Like:
Sulfur, burning match, rotten egg, raw sewage
Possible Causes:
Hydrogen sulfide, which is the chemical responsible for giving sulfur its unpleasant
smell, is naturally produced by all yeast during fermentation. Many lager yeasts
can create overwhelming sulfur-like aromas. Ale strains generally make such small
amounts that the odor is unnoticeable.
How to Avoid:
During fermentation, the production of hydrogen sulfide is inevitable. Co2 will
carry most of the hydrogen sulfide away. Conditioning or lagering after primary
fermentation is complete should make any left over sulfur smells or tastes fade over


Tastes/Smells Like:
Vinegary, acrid, felt on the sides of the tongue towards back of the mouth
Possible Causes:
Extremely sour or vinegary flavors are almost always the result of a bacterial or wild
yeast infection. Lambic style beers are beers that have been purposely exposed to
specific types of wild yeast and bacteria to create the unmistakable cidery and sour
flavors they are known for.
How to Avoid:
Bacteria and wild yeast are in the air, all around us, all of the time. Commonly referred
to as “nasties” in the brewing world, these bacteria and yeast only fall downward – they
will not crawl up an in. Make sure to thoroughly sanitize everything and anything that
will be coming into contact with beer post boil. Cover your kettle when cooling your
wort. Wort or beer that is under 180ºF is prime breading ground for bacteria and wild
yeast. Dirt cannot be sanitized so clean equipment prior to sanitizing if it is visibly
dirty. If using a plastic fermenter check it for any scratches, as these are a great place
for bacteria to hide. Only open the fermenter when necessary. Use high quality yeast
and/or make a yeast starter. The faster the yeast starts to ferment, the more likely
they will over power or push out any nasties. Proper sanitation is one of the most
important things when it comes to making great home brew!


Tastes/Smells Like:
Overly sweet or sugary, sweet wort, cloyingly sweet
Possible Causes:
Some degree of sweetness is desired in most beers, but a beer that tastes like
unfermented wort is most likely the result of the yeast quitting prematurely. Stuck
fermentation is when the yeast ferments for several days and then suddenly stops.
The result is a gravity that is much higher than the correct final gravity for the wort.
Using yeast that doesn’t have a high tolerance for alcohol in a high gravity beer can
leave too much residual sweetness. A sudden drop in temperature can cause yeast
to go dormant and stop fermenting. Also, beer that is lacking the right amount of
hop bitterness can cause an unbalanced sweetness. Unbalanced sweetness is often
described as “cloyingly sweet”. Using too much fruit flavoring or other adjuncts can
cause a sickly-sweet beer as well.
How to Avoid:
Always use high quality yeast and make sure you are pitching the correct amount for
the gravity of the wort or make a yeast starter. Use the proper strain of yeast for the
style of beer being made. Highly flocculant yeast can sometimes fall out of suspension
before fermentation is over, however pitching enough yeast will usually prevent this. If
you are aiming for a dry, less sweet beer, use yeast with a high attenuation percentage.
If making a beer with very high alcohol content, it is very important to use yeast
nutrients. Monitor fermentation temperatures and avoid fermenting lower than the
suggested temperature range. It is possible to revive dormant yeast by gently swirling
the fermenter and gradually raising the temperature. Otherwise, pitching more yeast
is another option.
When formulating recipes, keep in mind that you can highlight a sweet or bitter taste,
but the balance of flavors is what makes a beer enjoyable. If using fruit extracts or
flavoring, start with a little and add more to taste.


Tastes Like:
Yeast, bready, can be harsh or slightly sulfur-like
Possible Causes:
Unhealthy or mutated yeast can release “yeasty” flavors into beer. If beer is left sitting
on dead yeast for a long period of time, dead yeast starts to essentially “eat” itself
(autolysis) and harsh or sulfury flavors are released. Young beer can taste yeasty if the
yeast has not had a chance to flocculate completely. Yeasty flavors can also be a result
of pouring yeast when serving from a bottle.
How to Avoid:
If a beer such as a lager is going to be kept in a fermenter for a long period of time,
using a secondary vessel is recommended. Always leave a majority of the trub in the
primary fermenter when racking to a secondary fermenter, bottling bucket or keg.
Some yeast sediment is unavoidable when carbonating in the bottle. If yeast sediment
is present leave the last inch or so of beer in the bottle when pouring.

A Note on Sanitation:

Proper sanitation is often said to be the most important thing when it comes to
making great homebrew. A perfectly crafted and flawlessly brewed beer can turn into
an unpalatable mess if it is exposed to wild yeast or bacteria. Bacteria and wild yeast
can generate almost every off flavor listed above. If your beer develops a funky flavor
and none of the referenced troubleshooting tips take care of the problem, you are
probably dealing with an infection. Always practice good sanitation techniques and
be sure to sanitize anything and everything that will be coming into contact with the
wort or beer.
Unfortunately, not much can be done to salvage a contaminated batch, but you can
learn from it. If your beer becomes an unlucky victim of the nasties, evaluate your
sanitation techniques and try again.
