Does Sunlight Affect Wort?

[Tyler.W]

I know that sunlight/UV is a big no-no for beer, but is it also bad for wort? I was brewing the other day in direct sunlight and thought about the possible effects it could have.

So, is sunlight bad for wort, or am I alright to keep brewin’ in the warm winter sun?

 

[Qhrumphf]

Not the first time I've heard this question. But people have boiled outside for ages without issue.

My understanding is that skunking is a reaction between hop compounds and sulfur compounds triggered by UV light. My following guess is that the bulk of the sulfur compounds are yeast-created and won't be there until fermentation. In wort you're missing part of that chemical reaction so no reaction occurs.

 

[Coookies58]

I would also imagine the boiling wort would prevent this.

 

[Vale71]

.

 

[Tyler.W]

Awesome, thanks for the info!