guaiacol

Technical specification

Assessment

The best way to evaluate guaiacol flavour in beer is as follows. Without covering the glass, swirl the beer to release the aroma. Take a single short sniff. Repeat as necessary.

Amount of flavour per capsule

100 µg per capsule

Threshold

The flavour threshold of guaiacol in beer is 33 µg / l.

Origins

Guaiacol is contributed to brewing raw materials (malt, rice etc) by intentional or non-intentional exposure to smoke. It is occasionally formed by bacteria during fermentation.

Confusions

Professional tasters can confuse guaiacol in beer with the following flavours:

• 4-Vinyl guaiacol
• Eugenol
• 2,6-Dichlorophenol

Importance

Guaiacol is an off-flavour in pale lager beers. It is a desirable character in some ales, in which it is imparted by speciality malts. Guaiacol is the signature flavour character of Rauchbier (smoked beer).

CAS registry number

The CAS registry number for guaiacol is 90-05-1.

Other names

• 2-methoxyphenol
• anastil
• guajacol
• guajol
• guasol
• 1-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzene
• 2-hydroxyanisole
• ortho-hydroxyanisole
• 1-oxy-2- methoxybenzene
• ortho- methoxyphenol
• methyl catechol
• ortho- methyl catechol
• pyrocatechol methyl ester
• pyrocatechol monomethyl ether

Remarks

Guaicol is a s flavour which tends to polarize consumers – they either love it or hate it.

Threshold distribution

Capsules per pot

10

Legal notices

This product is protected by the following trade marks and patents:

• US Patent no. D679900
• European Community Trade Mark
  Registration no. 009937574
• European Community Trade Mark
  Registration no. 009856527
• US Trade Mark Registration no. 4345057
• US Trade Mark Registration no. 4345056