Fish smell in beer

[scott isham]

A home-brewer came in yesterday and had me try one of his beers and try to identify some of the many off-flavors. It was a bock using WL 833. The two prominent flavors were ethel acetate and phenols, but after letting it sit out a few minutes the unmistakable aroma of fish came out. It was just like a can of freshly opened tuna. I know where the phenol and acetate came from, but I have never tasted or smelled fish in a beer. Any ideas?

[rudge75]

I had a 5 liter keg of Warsteiner do this on me once before. I was told that it was oxegenation of sterols that cause this flavour. It smelled just like you describe.

[el_mocoso]

Finings?

el

[Dr Malt]

Homebrewer? He wasn't making a tuna bock was he?

Just kidding.

Dr Malt

[Airidini]

Hmm, sounds like some sort of oxidiation reaction; however if isinglass was used- is it possible to over dose isinglass in improper preparation?