esters and phenols, what is the difference?

[kaconga]

I was talking with my wife about a hefe we made and she mentions the nice clove smell. She asked if it was an ester and I told her I thought it was a phenol. So what is the difference? Was I correct?

 

[cfonnes]

You are correct in hefes clove is a phenol, banana is an ester.

Here is a great primer on phenols.

http://www.probrewer.com/resources/library/siebel-phenolics.php

 

[Buna_Bere]

Here's a good article on esters in beer
http://beersensoryscience.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/esters/

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

Phenols are smoky, earthy, clove-nutmeg herbal flavors. Esters are fruity and sometimes can be perceived as sweet.

 

[kaconga]

Thanks a ton guys. I haven't finished the study on phenols but it looks really interesting. Especially since chlorophenols have such a low taste threshold. I didn't even have time to glance at the esters link yet.