Autolysis
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Faults and hygiene”.
Explanation
Yeast that sits on the yeast cake for too long and too warm dies and breaks down. The beer then tastes of meat stock, yeast or rubber. In homebrew quantities it rarely happens before four to six weeks, faster when stored warm.
Test your knowledge
What does beer taste of when autolysis occurs?
- Banana
- Green apple
- Meat stock or rubber
Show answer
Correct: Meat stock or rubber. In autolysis dead yeast breaks down. Banana comes from esters, green apple from acetaldehyde.