Fluorescent light & skunky flavors?

Bills Brew · Feb 10, 2008

We all know that sunlight and clear carboys can create skunky flavors, but can florescent lighting do the same? I keep my carboys covered during primary and secondary fermentation, but am curious if anybody has any experience with this.

jacobyhale · Feb 10, 2008

I don't know the science behind skunking, but in reef aquaria, the lights are special (and expensive) because of the types and high levels of UV rays emitted that mimic the sun. I doubt regular house flourescent lighting has the ability to produce these UVA and such rays. But again, I'm not sure what in light it is that skunks beer...so this was basically useless.

Beerrific · Feb 10, 2008

I have a feeling that Heineken, Corona, and New Castle don't spend too much time in the sun but have skunnk coming out the wazoo. I imagine that sun just expedites the process.

user 4295 · Feb 10, 2008

It's not UV radiation that "skunks" beer. It's the presense of photons that react with the hop compounds that causes it. So, any light will cause it.

Fluorescent light & skunky flavors?

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Fluorescent light & skunky flavors?

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