National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Kit Brewing => Topic started by: willk on February 22, 2017, 10:11:08 PM

Title: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: willk on February 22, 2017, 10:11:08 PM
This is probably an odd question.  My fermenting experience has until now, been exclusively with fresh apple juice.  Apples couldn't give a monkeys about light.  But I understand that hops react badly to light and I wondered, does that mean blacking out the fermenter?  Or will a low light environment (e.g. winter in Donegal) suffice?
Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: mr hoppy on February 22, 2017, 10:12:31 PM
Only if it's clear glass or plastic


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Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: willk on February 22, 2017, 10:25:51 PM
Quote from: mr hoppy on February 22, 2017, 10:12:31 PM
Only if it's clear glass or plastic

Thanks - so what's the ruling on these - clear or opaque?

(http://www.halfmoonwholefoods.co.uk/bmz_cache/2/2f10c571eeaa2cedebc9ae04652392b2.image.220x220.jpg)
Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: Leann ull on February 22, 2017, 10:50:54 PM
Cover it with heavy gauge black bag or blanket
Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: beerfly on February 22, 2017, 11:38:38 PM
Would avoid direct sunlight. But if it's just in a bright room your grand.
Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: Leann ull on February 23, 2017, 12:06:27 AM
Any light can have an impact
Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: LordEoin on February 23, 2017, 07:20:36 AM
It's hard to tell really without knowing what's in the kit.
if they used hop extracts any damage will be minimal, especially in that opaque plastic in winter.
So long as it's not somewhere silly like by a window it should be fine.
If you add fresh hops to it, then you'll run more risk.
But sure throw a dark towel or sheet over it and cover all bases ;)
Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: willk on February 23, 2017, 11:04:28 AM
Grand. 

I was more worried about the two kits I'd bunged through it before it occurred to me that there might be an issue!  ;D 

One kit was stout so possibly less of a concern.  TBH, there's not a lot of light in the back corner of a kitchen in Donegal in January so maybe not the biggest risk going.  My storage is all good - dark and cool.  I'm currently sampling the first brew as it ages in bottle.  At two months it's settling down, but still has that faint marker taste that I associate with homebrew.  I notice it from freshly conditioned cider too, so hopefully it will continue to fade (quicker than the ale flavours - lol)
Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: irish_goat on February 23, 2017, 11:14:03 AM
Won't be an issue as long as you're not sitting the fermenter on the windowsill. As CH says though, a black bag or blanket would totally alleviate any fears.

Whereabouts in Donegal are ye?
Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: willk on February 23, 2017, 12:25:53 PM
Quote from: irish_goat on February 23, 2017, 11:14:03 AM
Whereabouts in Donegal are ye?

The wilds of the upper Finn Valley  ;)
Title: Re: Light damage during fermentation
Post by: irish_goat on February 23, 2017, 01:00:10 PM
Not too far from me then so. We have a few members in Convoy as well.