Ultimate AC Tasting Exam- Off-Flavors/ Flavors Flashcards
From Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine
Dark Chocolate, cocoa nibs
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Vicinal Diketone: 2,3-pentanedione
Butter, butterscotch, buttered movie theater popcorn
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
2-acetylpyridine
Malty, biscuity, malt dust
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
2-Ethyl Fenchol
Type: Aroma
Descriptors: musty/ moldy, earthy, beetlike, petrichor with patchouli notes
Threshold:
Appropriate Styles: NONE
Source:
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Thiol: 2-furfurylthiol
burnt coffee
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
2-isobutyl 3-methoxypyrazine
Green Pepper
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
2-methylbutyl isobutyrate
green apple, apricot
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Ester: 3-mercaptohexanol
grapefruit
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Ester: 3-mercaptohexyl-acetate
passionfruit, gooseberry, guava
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Thiol: 3-Methyl-2-Butene-1-Thiol (3MBT)
Type: Aroma
Descriptors: Skunky, rubbery
Threshold: .05 ppb
Appropriate Styles: NONE
Source: Interaction between blue light waves and hop bittering compounds, exposure to light
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Phenol: 4-ethyl guaiacol (4EG)
Clove, phenolic, spice, woody, vanilla, smoky character
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Phenol: 4-Ethyl Phenol; 4EP
Type: Aroma
Descriptors: Horsey, horse blanket, barnyard, brett
Threshold: ~420 ppb
Appropriate Styles: At detectable levels only in styles using Brett or infected with Brett
Source: Produced by Brettanomyces yeast
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Thiol: 4-methyl-4-mercaptopentan-2-pentanone (4MMP)
Black currant, catty, diesel fuel
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Phenol: 4-Vinyl Phenol
Phenolic
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Phenol: 4-Vinyl Syringol
smokey
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Phenol: 4-Vinyl Guaiacol; 4VG
Type: Aroma
Descriptors: Clove, allspice, phenolic
Threshold: ~1 ppm
Appropriate Styles: At detectable levels only in German wheat beers and Belgian Ales
Source: Created in the fermentation process in large amounts ferulic acid (especially by POF+ yeast strains)
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Aldehyde: Acetaldehyde (AA)
Type: Aroma
Descriptors: Green apple, overripe apple, wet grass, raw pumpkin, latex paint, avocado: can be solventy as well
Threshold: Around 10 ppm
Appropriate Styles: Should not be detectable, can be common in Oud Bruin and Flanders Red Ales
Source: Produced during fermentation, common of “green” beer; caused by oxygen in packaging; wood aged beers
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Acid: Acetic acid
vinegar, sour
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Hop Flavors: Alpha-Humulene
Spicy, ginger beer
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Hop Flavors: Alpha-pinene
Pine Resin, woody
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Autolysed
Type: Aroma, flavor
Descriptors: muddy, soy sauce, umami soap
Threshold: varies
Appropriate Styles: Generally NONE although is acceptable at low levels in aged stronger beers
Source: A common sign of disintegration of yeast cells in fermentation
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Aldehyde: Benzaldehyde
Cherry, Bitter almonds, marzipan
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Ester: Benzyl Acetate
cherry soda, cherry flavoring
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Hop Flavors: beta-caryophyllene
woody, cedar, cigar box, black pepper
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Hop Flavors: beta-citronellol
floral, lime, lemongrass, insect repellent
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Hop Flavors: beta-damascenone
Black currant, grape jelly
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Hop Flavors: beta-farnesene
woody, damp wood, decaying leaves
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Hop Flavors: beta-pinene
woody-green pine-like smell
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Acid: Butyric Acid
Type: Aroma
Descriptors: Rancid butter, vomit, sour putrid
Threshold: 2 to 3 ppm
Appropriate Styles: At VERY low levels can add a funk to some styles fermented with wild yeast (Lambic)
Source: Produced in wild fermentations and sour-mashed beers or can be caused by bacterial infection
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Acid: Caprylic, Caproic, Capric acids
Type: Aroma
Descriptors: Goaty, animal, sweaty socks, sweaty
Threshold: 8 to 15 ppm
Appropriate Styles: None but can add an earthy complexity in some beers
Source: Produced by organic acids
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Phenol: Chlorophenol
Type: Aroma
Descriptors: Band-Aid, adhesive tape, disinfectant
Threshold: Less than 0.5 ppb
Appropriate Styles: NONE
Source: cleaning chemical exposure during brewing/ packaging process, can also be from sanitizers at point of dispense
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Hop Flavors: cis-3-hexenol
grassy
Tasting Beer: Sensory Vocabulary
Hop Flavors: cis-6-nonenal
honeydew melon, cantaloupe