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dogglebe

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Aug 6, 2015
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I heard a long time ago that hops need to be boiled in order for them to be lightstruck; the problem is, I can't remember where I heard this.

Is this true? I've dry-hopped a mead and would like to keep it in clear wine bottles. Will this be a problem?
 
UV light only converts iso-alpha-acids into 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol. The alpha acids must first be heated to be isomarized, so your dry-hopped mead should not skunk. Afterall, the hops do not skunk on the bine....
 
Everything I have read states the issue comes when light under the correct spectrum hits beer (or other liquids) that have the hops iso-alpha-acids isomerized which only happens when they are boiled. Now I am no expert but my google machine found quite a bit about the subject. This article in particular was interesting:
https://beersensoryscience.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/lightstruck/
 
That's what I thought; I just couldn't remember where I heard it.

Thanks.


Phil
 
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