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Aroma: Freshly-cut Apple or Cider
Problem: | An apple or cider-like aroma can indicate the presence of acetalaldehyde, an intermediate compound that is ordinarily converted into ethyl alcohol during a properly completed fermentation. |
Causes: | - Oxidation of ethanol can promote the formation of acetalaldehyde.
- Excessive use of refined sugar in the recipe may cause a cidery taste by not providing the nutrients that malts normally provide for the yeast to complete fermentation.
- High fermentation temperatures can interfere with the conversion of acetalaldehyde to ethanol.
- Bacterial contamination and infection can prevent a complete fermentation.
- If insufficient yeast is pitched for the wort, the fermentation may not go to completion.
- Poor quality yeast can leave fermentation incomplete.
- Stale extract syrup can result in incomplete fermentation.
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Cures: | - Allow beer the proper amount of time to ferment and age.
- Better recipe formulation that reduces the percentage of refined sugar used.
- Ferment at appropriate temperatures for the required time.
- Maintain sanitary conditions.
- Prepare a yeast starter, especially for higher gravity worts, to ensure sufficient yeast is available at the time of pitching into the wort.
- Use high-quality yeast in good condition, especially with high alcohol beers.
- Buy quality, fresh extract syrup, or dry extract.
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