Although many think that "skunking," or the phenomenon of beer developing a putrid taste and smell, is caused by heat, it's actually caused by light exposure. ... When hops are boiled down to make beer, they release chemical compounds called Iso-Alpha Acids.

How long does it take for beer to get skunked?

The photochemical reaction that skunks beer occurs very quickly; a well-hopped beer in clear glass can become noticeably offensive with just 30 seconds of exposure to sunshine.

Can you fix skunked beer?

Is there any way to save skunked beer? Unfortunately, no. Skunked beer is caused by a specific chemical reaction that is due to the beer's exposure to light.