Chlorophenols
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Faults and hygiene”.
Explanation
Off-flavour of medicine, sticking plaster or swimming pool. It forms when chlorine or chloramine from tap water or chlorine-based cleaners reacts with phenols in the beer. Even tiny amounts can be tasted. Prevention: treat the brewing water with a Campden tablet and rinse cleaners off thoroughly.
Test your knowledge
Your beer smells of a swimming pool or sticking plaster. What is the most likely cause?
- Chlorine from tap water or cleaning agents
- Too many hops
- Too short a boil
Show answer
Correct: Chlorine from tap water or cleaning agents. Chlorine forms chlorophenols with phenols. A Campden tablet in the brewing water prevents it.