Brewing in the sun??

Hi Guys,
I am well aware that prolonged exposure to sun can skunk your finished beer. What about as you are boiling?? I brew outside and wondering if I need to set up some sort of shade. Maybe I am just being a little too cautious Thanks. Al

Brew in the sun, your beer will be just fine.

I set up an EZ UP when I brew in the driveway not for the beer but for me .


After fermentation is when beer will skunk when exposed to UV light

It's only AFTER the beer is fermented, that sunlight is an issue. It's a reaction to the isomerized alpha acids from the hops.

Beer has been brewed out doors for millenia, relax.

You think this guy is worried?

it's to fargin hot down here to brew in the sun...

Revvy said:

It's only AFTER the beer is fermented, that sunlight is an issue. It's a reaction to the isomerized alpha acids from the hops.

Beer has been brewed out doors for millenia, relax.

You think this guy is worried?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAU4bhjCB08

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Can't it be an issue WHILE the beer is fermenting?

I keep my fermenters covered, just in case.

Sweet Video Revvy! I'll have to try that on the bonfire one of these days!

Cpt_Kirks said:

Can't it be an issue WHILE the beer is fermenting?

I keep my fermenters covered, just in case.

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Yes....I should clarify and say post yeast pitch...it's once alcohol is converted.

But NOT during brewing.

Cpt_Kirks said:

Can't it be an issue WHILE the beer is fermenting?

I keep my fermenters covered, just in case.

Click to expand...

I should have said when alcohol is present. I too keep the carboy covered up.

Not to often do I beat Revvy:rockin:


Edit: wasnt fast enough on the second draw though...


I like that guys attitude "I use these ingredients and I get what I get "

springer said:

I should have said when alcohol is present. I too keep the carboy covered up.

Not to often do I beat Revvy:rockin:


Edit: wasnt fast enough on the second draw though...


I like that guys attitude "I use these ingredients and I get what I get "

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I and a guy I met through vintage base-ball are going to start doing colonial era brewing demos just like that starting in 2011.

Revvy said:

I and a guy I met through vintage base-ball are going to start doing colonial era brewing demos just like that starting in 2011.

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you going with modern yeast or wild ?

springer said:

you going with modern yeast or wild ?

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Haven't thought that far ahead yet. We might be pairing up with a baker at the events (come in under his application) and may go with baker's yeast, evidently some of the "commercial" brewing was done by the village baker, in the voyageur settlements. So that may make it easier. Gotta talk to guys like the one in the video about whether or not they rack covertly to a modern fermenter after the demo is done, or if they use crocks or what. It should be fun to do.

Cool make sure you post some videos. I am thinking about setting a two gallon batch in the apple orchard that is next to my house for a few days till I see fermentation. Just a bucket with some sort of wire mesh to keep critters/bugs out .

wyzazz said:

Brew in the sun, your beer will be just fine.

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+1 I've never had a problem brewing in the sun.

Only problem I have brewing in the sun is chilling the wort. Of course, when your tap water from the garden spiggot is almost 100F, it's gonna take a few minutes. Boils darn quick, though.

If you are worried about brewing in sunlight, just do it with your eyes closed. The beer will be none the wiser.

The turning point is when you pitch your yeast. Skunking of isomerized alpha acids (ie photooxidation) requires riboflavin (vitamin B2), which is produced by the yeast to take place. See http://www.rsc.org/delivery/_ArticleLinking/DisplayArticleForFree.cfm?doi=b316210a&JournalCode=PP
for thorough explanation.