sunlight!

[truemay]

I've just cleared out an old cellar in my house to use as a brewing cupboard.
It has the gas boiler in it so has no door for ventilation.Where my White plastic pressure barrels sit sometimes gets hit by sunlight when I open the back door.
It's usually in darkness but will the occasional blast of sunlight have any detrimental effect on my beer? I know it can affect clear bottles but what about White barrels?

[oldtom]

So long as the direct sun light isn`t on them too long they won`t come to any harm. Can you erect some sort of screen around the kegs to cut down the intensity of the light when the sun is shining in?

Paul.

[truemay]

It only happens in the evening when I nip out for a dag now and again.I was thinkinking of maybe using a T shirt over each keg.Sounds daft though.

[Ditch]

Truemay; FFS relax! Nothing is going to happen to your beers. They're not bloody vampires!

Would ye like me to take a photo of the BK I have sitting beside me? In a south facing window! And I always sit my kegs there. And I drink from them, every night. And it tastes fantastic, from start to finish. I never even gave the daylight a moments thought.

That's why I'm saying you too should dismiss it from ye mind and get on with enjoying yeself

The opaque plastic they make FV's and BK's from is used for a reason .....

[masterosouffle]

I agree that it won't be an issue if it's just for a few moments. But I would be aware if it was for longer or regular periods, and try to shield it. Light strike can happen almost instantly, and affects compounds found in hops (hence why wine isn't affected). You will soon notice a sulphur / rotten egg smell if affected. My reasoning would be why take the chance...

An interesting read - http://beersensoryscience.wordpress.com ... ghtstruck/

[BeerEagle]

TM, are you brewing from kits? If so, it shouldn't be a problem as the hoppy stuff is usually already stabilised - same as clear-bottled commercial ales.

If all grain or extract then I agree with previous post.

[truemay]

Just kits.mostly ales, mostly coopers unless I have the funds and then I'll buy the odd two can kit.

[Matt12398]

It's not going to have any effect whatsoever. Wouldn't leave them in a greenhouse but in a cupboard will be fine. Even if you allow yourself to open the door occasionally.

[truemay]

Pleased about that.the last few months I've been brewing with one fv and two barrels.I now have 3 Fv's and four barrels.now I can leave them a lot longer.I used to have a 3 week turnaround for my kits.I must say the extra time has definitely improved the quality of my brews.