Let's Find Out If Your Product Has Smoke Taint
Here at Twin Arbor Labs, we can verify whether your hops have been tainted by smoke taint compounds (volatile phenolics). These compounds have low volatility, high solubility and bind to sugars. This means that if they are present, even in low concentrations, they are not likely to off gas and have the potential to be released into the final product, affecting beer quality.
The two main primary smoke taint compounds are:
Guaiacol and 4-methylguaiacol (4MG).
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A paper published in 2014, found that monitoring of beer aging highlighted major differences between phenols. Guaiacol and 4-methylphenol appeared even more concentrated in dark beers after 14 months of aging, reaching levels not far from their sensory thresholds.
How do we detect these compounds?
We utilize a sensitive GC-MS detection method that is utilized by the wine industry.
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Through our validation process we found that a majority of the smoke taint compounds are bound to sugars within the hop matrix, which is similar to smoke taint markers found in wine berries.
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To overcome this issue, we utilize an acid digestion to release the smoke taint markers from the sugars and get our clients more robust data set that will be invaluable to both hops growers, distributors and beer manufacturers.
What are the benefits to utilizing our testing services?
Selling your hops at an auction/website?
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Having a 3rd party testing report available to potential customers demonstrating a “clean bill of health”, can be a huge marketing benefit.
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Increased customer confidence in your product.
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Reduce possible risk of lawsuits.
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Potential crop insurance reimbursement.
Beer manufacturers?
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Screen your product prior to adding it to the manufacturing process to help prevent any potential loss from a tainted product.
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Ensure your final product sensory quality is top notch.
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Increased customer confidence in your products.