Beer is usually packaged in brown bottles. Apparently this is because if it is packaged in clear glass, sunlight can damage its flavour. But how does sunlight damage beer? What chemistry occurs?
• I’m a student who has recently developed an obsession with home-brewed beer, so I hope I can offer some insight.
Nearly all beer contains hops. This provides the bitter taste and also acts as a preservative (some natural deodorants even use hops for its antimicrobial action).
Hops contain , which provide part of the bitter flavour – and this is where the problem with light arises.…
