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Volatile acidity

Oxygen and microbesNot reversible

Vinegar, and at lower levels nail polish remover from the ethyl acetate that comes with it.

What causes it

Acetobacter converting alcohol to acetic acid in the presence of oxygen, or a stressed ferment.

Detection threshold

Around 0.6 to 0.9 g/L acetic acid for most tasters.

There is no fix

Not reversible at home. Small amounts can be blended out; anything obvious cannot.

How to prevent it

Keep vessels full, keep fruit flies out, and never leave a stuck ferment sitting warm.