Can a keg get skunked?

Question

I have heard that only light affects skunking, but have also heard about heat. One person claimed that if it is not tapped, even at room temperature, the keg will not skunk.

Answer 1

No.

The ****ONLY**** thing that causes beer to get skunked is light. The light causes a chain reaction breakdown of isomerized alpha acids that are from the hops in the beer. The resulting thiol compounds are almost identical to skunk scent, and mercaptan, the distinct odor added to natural gas.

Oxygen WILL affect beer by oxidizing it, but gives it a totally different bad taste. Something like sucking on wet cardboard. Temperature changes can also affect beer, primarily accelerating oxidation, but NOT skunking. Kegged beer is not always pasteurized, especially microbrews. Exposure to heat can accelerate bacterial growth that will cause all sorts of bad flavors, but again, NOT skunking.

15+ year home brewer

Answer 2

Kegs can get skunked just like normal beers. It's when it gets chilled, then warms back up to room temperature, then get chilled down again. This can happen once, MAYBE, with out it getting skunked. Definitely not twice.

Answer 3

Yes! If you don't have a kegerator, your keg will only stay good for a couple days at best on a regular tap. Plus you'll have to keep it refrigerated or on ice. Heat will DEFINITELY make your keg skunk, and even at room temperature and untapped, it can still skunk.

Answer 4

It's the oxygen that skunks beer. So your right if it is not tapped it will be okay.