14 DAY TRIAL // I don't know about you, but I for one have been lucky enough never to witness beer skunking. In fact, I have to admit that, until now, I had absolutely no idea that beer can sometimes end up smelling and tasting like a skunk's behind.
The science video below made it online just yesterday, when it was shared with the online community by the folks behind chemistry-loving YouTube channel Reactions.
The video details what exactly has to happen to beer in order for it to smell and taste less like a refreshing beverage and more like the dorsal side of everybody's least favorite animal, the skunk.
As it turns out, sunlight is the one to blame for this phenomenon commonly referred to as beer skunking. Thus, when exposed to sunlight, compounds that give beer its distinct aroma get broken down and a foul molecule is produced.
Mind you, beer skunking is not the same as beer oxidation. The latter is a change in beer flavor resulting from exposure to heat, and is by no means as disgusting as beer skunking.
The good news is that, as vulnerable to heat and sunlight as beer might be, keeping it safe is not a very difficult thing to do. Just make sure that you always keep it in a cold, dark place and you should have no trouble enjoying the beer flavor you love and adore.
