What is wort age and why does it matter?

• A. Time between harvest and use
• B. Time between boil and cooling; older wort can lead to off flavors; immediate cooling recommended
• C. Time spent in fermentation
• D. Age of hops

Answer: (B)

Wort age is the interval between the end of the boil and when you cool the wort and pitch the yeast. It matters because the longer wort sits—especially while still warm—the more it can oxidize and lose fresh hop aromas, leading to off flavors. Heat and exposure to air during this period can trigger flavor changes and allow unwanted compounds to form, while rapid cooling helps preserve aroma and reduces the chance of contamination. So, keeping wort age short by cooling promptly helps maintain the intended flavor and quality.