Copper notes?

FTGFOP

I get a powerful whiff of pennies from some red ales. Makes sense given some of them will spend time in copper vats. Is it healthy though? Is it considered a defect?

I never hear 'copper notes' in descriptions. It does fade into the background as you drink, I guess.

JnarF

Ah so I'm not the only one who gets this! Any explanation from anyone?

BeerNut

FTGFOP wrote: »

Makes sense given some of them will spend time in copper vats.

I very much doubt any of them do. When you see shiny copper brewkit they're generally stainless steel on the inside.

Could be a hop thing.

oblivious

BeerNut wrote: »

I very much doubt any of them do. When you see shiny copper brewkit they're generally stainless steel on the inside.

yep and too expensive too

probably just hop aroma

Saruman

You normally get it in English Ales.

Some types of hops can cause it. East Kent Goldings are a prime candidate.

FTGFOP

Interesting. Is it considered an off-flavour?

Saruman

Not off as in it should not be there, but some people might not like a beer that tastes a little like copper, considering blood has a similar taste.

Shepherd Neame beers often have the copper taste.

FTGFOP

Thanks for the responses. I find the copper thing can vary a lot bottle-to-bottle for the same beer. What prompted me to write was cracking open an O' Hara's red ale, I've got it from Fuller's ESB sometimes too and then not at other times.

I guess it bothers me less knowing it's just from hops rather than copper ions floating around. :pac: