What it is: Acetic is a vinegar or acid flavour that is found in all beers at some levels of concentration. How to Identify: This one smells like vinegar, acidic or spoiled beer and can be tasted on the sides of the tongue towards the back of the mouth. Mercaptan is the same chemical skunks secrete when they spray which is why the smell of light-struck beer is so similar to that of a skunk. How it is caused: When hops are exposed to Ultra Violet rays from sunlight or florescent lights, the alpha acids break down and react with the hydrogen sulfide produced by the yeast. Dark beers and beers that utilise isomerised hop extracts are less susceptible to becoming lightstruck. Beers that have been bittered exclusively with chemically-modified hop bitter acids do not develop this flavour (think Heineken in its green bottle). Light-coloured beers and beers with a lot of hops are more prone to becoming skunky. What it is: Lightstruck character is an off flavour associated with exposure to light of beer packaged in clear or green glass. We had one American in our group – Lana – who had been sprayed by a skunk (seemingly numerous times), and she identified this one immediately. It can also smell musty and can be similar to burned rubber or cat musk. How to Identify: This one can smell like a skunk or freshly-brewed coffee. Chemical Name: 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol / Mercaptan
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