Analysis of total polyphenols,bitterness and haze in pale and dark lager beers produced under different mashing and boiling conditions

Malting and brewing processes should be performed under process conditions in a way that minimizes beer bitterness, maximizes polyphenol content and reduces the amount of raw materials ending up in solution in the form of hazes, particles and precipitates. This work examined the influence of different mashing temperature conditions and boiling procedures on the total polyphenol content, bitterness and haze of pale and dark lager beers produced on an industrial scale. Two hop types (hop pellets and/or hop extract) and different hop varieties (Hallertau Magnum, Styrian Goldings, Saaz, Aurora and Sladek) were utilized with varying times of hop addition into the wort. Measurements of total polyphenols, colour, bitterness, alcohol content, CO₂ and pH were carried out on the beer samples. Results showed that pale lager beers had a lower total polyphenol concentration (110–179 mg/L) than dark beers (230–260 mg/L). Using hop extracts instead of hop pellets led to a lower total polyphenol concentration and to less beer foam creation. The change in the proteolytic temperature during mashing only had an influence on the total polyphenol content in the pale lager beer hopped with the pellets. Conducting proteolysis over a 20 min period led to a haze increase in all of the beers produced. In the dark beer, the haze was substantial after just 10 min at 52°C. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

ESTIMATION OF CARBOHYDRATES IN WORTS AND BEERS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

Modifications of existing methods using trimethylsilyl ethers for estimating wort and beer carbohydrates are described. Samples to which a known amount of phenyl β-D-glucopyranoside is added as internal standard are quickly dried in vacuo at 40° C. prior to trimethylsilylation and chromatography. Peak areas of separated sugars are measured relative to the standard and are computed as the concentrations present in the original samples by way of calibration factors, obtained by similar treatment of known amounts of pure sugars. Standard deviations of less than 5% are obtained for glucose, maltose and maltotriose from twelve replicate analyses of a given wort. The technique, applied to a number of worts and beers of varied composition, compares favourably with existing methods of estimating individual sugars in worts and beers.     

SOME REASONS WHY HIGH GRAVITY BREWING HAS A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON HEAD RETENTION*

Our aim was to examine the effect of high gravity brewing on head retention with respect particularly to the effect of high gravity brewing on hydrophobic polypeptide levels. High gravity brewed beer had poorer head retention values when compared to a similarly brewed low gravity beer. Analysis of hydrophobic polypeptide levels in both high gravity wort (20° Plato) and low gravity wort (10° Plato) produced using a lauter tun, revealed that the high gravity wort contained 8% less hydrophobic polypeptide than the low gravity wort (undiluted basis). Analysis of hydrophobic polypeptides throughout the brewing process for these 10°P and 20°P brews demonstrated that the hydrophobic polypeptide content decreased, especially during the kettle boil and fermentation. Furthermore, the high gravity brewed beer suffered the greatest loss, leaving the final beer with approximately 40% less hydrophobic polypeptides than the low gravity beer. Brewing at 10°P and 20°P using a mash filter demonstrated that these filters can improve the head formation and stability of the resultant beers at sales gravity. However, the low gravity beer still produced a more stable foam (Rudin value 93 s) when compared to the high gravity beer (Rudin value 83 s). The mash filter slightly increased the hydrophobic polypeptide extraction. It is concluded that the mash filter produced higher hydrophobic polypeptide levels in the final beers, as well as having a positive effect on reducing the levels of foam negative compounds such as fatty acids in the wort, and therefore slightly improved head retention values .     

Storage stability of pasteurized non‐filtered beer

The influence of pasteurization on non‐filtered beers was investigated during accelerated storage (40°C, 41 days). Two beers were produced from the same hopped wort, which was fermented with two different yeast strains. Half of the bottled beers were tunnel pasteurized resulting in four different beer samples. The pasteurization influenced the volatile profile of both fresh beers, but during storage the differences between the volatile profiles of pasteurized and non‐pasteurized beers disappeared. During the storage period, the pasteurized beers gave a lower rate of radical formation, as evaluated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, indicating a better oxidative stability. The pasteurization had no effect on the levels of the pro‐oxidative metals iron and copper. Pasteurization slightly increased the protein content of the beers. SDS–PAGE analysis showed that the two beers had different protein profiles, which changed during storage; however, pasteurization of both beers did not affect their protein profiles. The level of thiols were lowered in one beer and raised in the other beer by pasteurization, but during storage the levels of thiols decreased at the same rate in all of the beers. It was concluded that pasteurization had a positive influence on the oxidative stability of non‐filtered beer. Copyright © 2013 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Application of partial autoproteolysis to extraction of protein from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). Part 3. Changes in and yield of nitrogen substances during autoproteolysis of fresh and frozen krill

Respective utilities of the fresh and frozen (after a 10-month storage at ?21 °C) krill for precipitate production by means of partial autoproteolysis within 10–60 °C were compared. The highest yield of the precipitate was found at about 20 °C, regardless of the raw material used, although the optimal temperature ranges for the fresh and frozen krill were 20–30 °C and 10–20 °C, respectively. The main factors assisting the protein extraction during partial autoproteolysis were enzymatic protein hydrolysis in the fresh krill and the loosening of tissues brought about by water crystallization in the frozen krill.     

A STUDY OF BEER STALING USING CHEMILUNINESCENCE ANALYSIS

The chemiluninescence (CL) analysis has been used to study beer staling. Several types of commercial Japanese beers were stored at 37°C and their CL development analysed at 60°C. The CL level in beer developed as the beer was stored to reach a maximum level and then decreased. The sum of the CL intensities for the first 1 hour showed a good relationship with staling degree as assessed in mean panel scores. It is postulated that the deterioration rates of beers might be assessed from the CL producing patterns in the fresh beers before storage. The presence of sulfite in beer depressed the CL production during its storage indicating that there is some contribution of sulfite to flavour stability due to its inhibitory effect on radical reactions in beer.     

Evaluating haze formation in flavoured lager beers using a range of forcing methods

Haze formation is a quality problem that can affect a wide range of drinks for a number of different reasons. Although well‐characterized in traditional beers, the emergence of novel beer‐based beverages has led to the potential for chemical interactions that can result in the precipitation of haze material. In this study, the haze formation in 19 commercially available flavoured lager beers was investigated. The chemical parameters of each of the drinks were measured and haze formation was induced through three forcing tests, developed for use in both the beer and wine industries, as well as using a novel forcing test, designed for this study. Several of the products were particularly susceptible to a number of haze forcing tests and the EBC temperature cycling and the Wine Forcing (70°C) tests were found to generate the most forced haze (measured at 90 and 13° scatter angles, respectively) in these products. There was no overall correlation between the drinks' chemical parameters and their susceptibility to haze formation. However, a weak, but statistically significant, correlation (p  = 0.044) was observed between the concentration of polyphenols in the products and the presence of haze measured by 90° scatter angle. Copyright © 2017 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

STUDIES ON FROZEN BEER PRECIPITATES II. CHEMICAL STRUCTURE OF THE β-GLUCAN ISOLATED FROM THE PRECIPITATES

A nitrogen-free non-starchy polysaccharide was isolated from frozen beer precipitate by repeated precipitation with ethanol, and further fractionated with ammonium sulphate into a pentose-free fraction (G-1) and a pentose-containing fraction (G-2). The G-1 fraction, which constituted about 90% of the non-starchy polysaccharide, was composed solely of glucose residues united by β-linkages, as evidenced by the specific rotation (-12°) and the infrared absorption spectrum. The G-1 glucan gave glucose, celloblose, and laminaribiose on partial acid hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of the methylated G-1 glucan gave 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose and 2,4,6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose together with trace amounts of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-D-glucose and di-O-methyl-D-glucose (paper chromatography). Gas chromatography of the methanolysate of the methylated G-1 glucan indicated the presence of methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucopyranoside and methyl 2,4,6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucopyranoside with a proportion of 3:1. The G-1 glucan consumed 0·8 mole periodate per anhydroglucose residue on periodate oxidation. These results indicate that the G-1 glucan is a β-glucan of essentially linear structure containing β-1,4- and β-1,3-linked glucopyranose residues in proportions of 3:1 to 4:1. The molecular weight of the G-1 glucan was estimated as 114,000.     

Fermentation optimization for a probiotic local northeastern Indian rice beer and application to local cassava and plantain beer production

Response surface methodology was employed to determine the optimal conditions of time and temperature for the fermentation of a local North East Indian rice beer. The same conditions were then applied to prepare local beers from cassava (Manihot esculanta) and plantain (Musa ABB). Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus oryzae and Lactobacillus plantarum were used to carry out the fermentation process. Thirteen experimental runs, based on a two‐factor five‐level design were carried out according to a central composite rotatable design. The independent variables were fermentation time (24–216 h) and temperature (25–40°C). The responses studied were content of protein, alcohol, total polyphenols, reducing sugars as well as titratable acidity and L. plantarum count. Numerical optimization predicted that a fermentation period of 143 h at a temperature of 33°C would result in a desirable rice beer, with response values of protein content OF 0.77%, alcohol content OF 6.99%, L. plantarum count of 7.08 log CFU mL^?1, polyphenol content of 34.46 mg/100 g, reducing sugars of 2.39% and a titratable acidity of 0.34%. Cassava and plantain beers were prepared using the optimized parameters of the rice beer experiments and the resultant beers exhibited the desired chemical parameters, suggesting applicability of the conditions to preparing these types of local beers from a wider range of substrates. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

VARIATIONS AMONGST BEERS AND LACTIC ACID BACTERIA RELATING TO BEER SPOILAGE

The ability of lactic acid bacteria to grow in beer has been studied using 31 beers, 13 strains of Lactobacillus and 3 strains of Pediococcus isolated from wort or beer. In 3 beers all the micro-organisms were able to grow, in 5 beers none of them developed and diverse results were obtained with the remaining 23 beers. Resistance of the beers to spoilage was not correlated with values of pH, specific gravity, total or free amino nitrogen, individual or total fermentable sugars, colour or levels of sulphur dioxide. Resistant beers became sensitive after certain filtration treatments and after heating at 80° for 15 minutes, but not after treatment at 60°. Resistance to spoilage is tentatively attributed to the presence of a yeast metabolite which is heat-labile. The lactic acid bacteria varied in their ability to grow in beer but those possessing a broad range of biochemical abilities had the greater propensity to cause spoilage.     

Pilot Scale Production of a Lager Beer from a Grist Containing 50% Unmalted Sorghum

Pilot scale (1000 L) brews were carried out with a grist comprising of unmalted sorghum (50% of total wet weight of grain) (South African variety) and malted barley (50% of total wet weight of grain) grist using a mashing program with rests at 50°C, 95°C and 60°C. Mashes were supplemented with a high heat stable bacterial α‐amylase, a bacterial neutral protease and a fungal α‐amylase. A control brew containing 100% malted barley was also carried out. Saccharification difficulties were encountered during mashing, and extraction of the grist was lower for the sorghum mashes. The sorghum mashes showed comparable lautering behaviour to that of the control mash. At mashing off the sorghum worts were starch positive. Apparent degree of fermentation of the sorghum gyles were less than the control gyles. Green beer filtration proved unproblematic. The sorghum beers compared quite closely with the control beer with regard to colour, pH and colloidal stability. Foam stability deficiencies were apparent with the sorghum beer. However, the fermentability of the sorghum worts were lower. Hence the sorghum beers were lower in total alcohol. Sensory analysis indicated that no significant differences existed between the sorghum beer and both the control beer and a commercial malted barley beer with regard to aroma, mouth‐feel, after‐taste and clarity. However, the sorghum beer was found to be significantly different to both of the other beers with regard to colour, initial taste and foam stability.     

Parameters affecting 5-hydroxymethylfurfural exposure from beer

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is generated during food and beverage heating processes and/or storage. Its daily intake, estimated as 4–10 mg day^?1, is several orders of magnitude higher than other process contaminants. Beer can be of relevance to the evaluation of HMF exposure; however, the information concerning its occurrence in different types of beer and during product storage is scarce. Therefore, the major goal of this work was to assess the amounts of HMF in different commercial beers, as well as the impact of storage, to deepen knowledge about the contribution of beer to HMF exposure. Blonde beers presented a mean content of 4.29 ± 1.05 mg L^?1, which was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) than those obtained for amber (6.84 ± 0.75 mg L^?1) and dark beers (6.99 ± 0.52 mg L^?1). Additionally, to study kinetic of HMF formation, fresh pilsner beers were stored at 30, 40 and 50°C during 40 days; a zero-order reaction was observed. The dependence of the rate constant on temperature was described by the Arrhenius equation and calculated activation energy was 101.85 kJ mol^?1. Storage can increase drastically HMF content, which means higher exposure for consumers. Thus, beer contribution to HMF exposure should not be neglected, since the intake of 1 L of beer entails a consumption of 4–7 mg of HMF or even more, depending on storage time and temperature.     

Survey of deoxynivalenol and its conjugates deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol in 374 beer samples

Beer is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. Malted cereal grains are among the basic ingredients and hence mycotoxin contamination might occur. Previous studies reported the presence of the Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3ADON), as well as of the masked mycotoxin deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (D3G) in beer. In the present survey, 374?beer samples from 38?countries with a focus on Austrian (156) and German (64) beers were analysed for the presence of D3G, DON and 3ADON. Beers were assigned to the following six categories: pale (217), wheat (46), dark (47), bock (20), nonalcoholic beers (19) and shandies (25). In total, 348 and 289 beers (93 and 77%, respectively) contained D3G and DON at the levels above the limit of detection, whereas 3ADON was not detected in any of the samples. Average concentrations of all beers were 6.9?µg?L^?1 for D3G and 8.4?µg?L^?1 in the case of DON. Nonalcoholic beers and shandies showed the lowest contaminations, 1.5 and 3.2?µg?L^?1 for D3G and 2.7 and 4.4?µg?L^?1 for DON, respectively. In bock beers characterised by a higher gravity, a significant trichothecene load of 14.8?µg?L^?1 D3G and 12.4?µg?L^?1 DON was found. The highest contamination (81?µg?L^?1 D3G, 89?µg?L^?1 DON) was detected in a pale beer from Austria, underlining the importance of this study for food safety. The molar D3G to DON ratio ranged between 0.11 and 1.25 and was 0.56 on average. Concluding, the average contamination of beer is not of toxicological concern for moderate beer drinkers. However, in the case of heavy beer drinkers, beer consumption may considerably contribute to the overall intake of DON, which might even lead to exceeding the maximum tolerable limits established for this Fusarium toxin.     

A novel approach for the production of a non‐alcohol beer (≤0.5% abv) by a combination of limited fermentation and vacuum distillation

Despite the increasing demand, the production of non‐alcohol beers is still limited by unsatisfactory or artificial flavour and taste. In this study, a novel approach to producing non‐alcohol beer is presented, in which the alcohol‐reducing techniques, limited fermentation and vacuum distillation were combined. Starting from barley and wheat malts, wort with a low level of fermentable sugars was prepared by infusion mashing and lautering. Limited fermentation was carried out by Saccharomycodes ludwigii at 18°C. When the level of fermentable sugar was reduced by 25%, the fermented wort was quickly cooled from 18 to 0°C and held at that temperature for two days. The young beer was obtained after degassing and removal of yeast and was then subjected to vacuum distillation at 0.06 MPa to remove the alcohol. The concentrated extract is suitable for storage and transportation. The final product of non‐alcohol beer was obtained by dilution with deoxygenated water and carbonation with 6.0 g/L CO₂, followed by addition of 8–12% of regular beer and equilibration for 2–3 days to develop normal beer aroma. The results showed that the non‐alcohol beer had several favourable properties, including the alcohol level of <0.5% (v /v), colour 7.0 (EBC), thiobarbituric acid value of 1.05 and ratio of alcohols to esters of 1.08. Compared with other methods for the production of non‐alcohol beer, this novel approach produced a favourable alternative to regular beers with similar flavour characteristics and satisfactory stability. Copyright © 2017 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Volatile Retention in Microwave Freeze-Dried Model Foods

Pregelatinized corn starch solutions (8% solids) were mixed with 500 ppm each of 1-hexanol, 1-decanol and D-limonene, and subjected to three treatments: control or null treatment, addition of 4%β-cyclodextrin, and addition of 4% sucrose. Samples were frozen at ?15°C, ?60°C or ?198°C, and freeze-dried at a microwave power of 10W and a cavity pressure of 1 or 2 torr. Results showed that sample composition was significant in both drying rate and volatile retention. Samples containing β-cyclodextrin had higher levels of volatile retention than other treatments, probably due to inclusion complex formation and shorter drying times. In general, samples frozen at ?15°C had higher levels of volatile retention. Freeze-drying of samples at 1 torr resulted in higher final moisture contents than at 2 torr, but no appreciable differences in volatiles.     

Determination of the influence of starch sources and mashing procedures on the range of the molecular weight distribution of beer using field‐flow fractionation

To produce experimental beers, different mash mixtures (barley malt, barley malt + 30% pre‐cooked maize, barley malt + 30% nonmalted spelt) and distinct mashing procedures (infusion and decoction) with variations of the rest time and initial temperatures were evaluated. The range of molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the resulting beers was determined using asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation coupled to multiangle laser light scattering and refractive index. There were no differences on the range of MWD among the beers, according to infusion or decoction, using similar raw materials and initial temperatures (45 and 55°C). However the range of MWD was higher (p < 0.005) when using infusion at an initial temperature of 63°C, regardless of the raw material. The use of maize did not alter structural properties of the beer, while mash containing nonmalting spelt caused an elevation on the MWD (p < 0.001) and a lower (p < 0.05) apparent degree of fermentation. Therefore the range of the MWD of the beers was influenced by the quality of the raw material and the initial mashing temperature, whereas apparent degree of fermentation values were affected only by the type of starch source. Thus the determination of the MWD is an important tool for monitoring the production of beer. Copyright © 2013 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Corn grist adjunct – application and influence on the brewing process and beer quality

In the brewing industry, barley malt is often partially replaced with adjuncts (unmalted barley, wheat, rice, sorghum and corn in different forms). It is crucial, however, to preserve constant quality in the beer to meet the expectations of consumers. In this work, how the addition of corn grist (10 and 20%) influences the quality of wort and beer was examined. The following parameters were analysed: wort colour, dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and protein content, non‐fermentable extract, extract drop during fermentation, alcohol content and the attenuation level of the beer, together with filtration performance. The samples (all‐malt, and adjunct at 10 and 20% corn grist) were industrial worts and the beers produced in a commercial brewery (3000 hL fermentation tanks). The application of 10 and 20% corn grist had an effect on the wort colour, making it slightly lighter (11.1 and 10.5°EBC, respectively) than the reference barley malt wort (12.2°EBC). The free amino nitrogen level, DMS and non‐fermentable extract were significantly lower in the worts produced with the adjunct; the alcohol content and attenuation levels were higher in the beers produced with adjunct. The use of corn grist, at the level of up to 20% of total load, appears to affect some of the technological aspects of wort and beer production, but it does not significantly influence the final product characteristics. Copyright © 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Ethylene Production in Staling Beer

Levels of ethylene in the headspace of three brands of staling lager beers which were allowed to stale at 40°C increased with storage time. TBA values and browning of staling beers also increased with storage time and coincided with increase in ethylene production. Results indicated that measurement of ethylene in the headspace of beer might be useful to follow beer staling.     

The Role of Malt and Hop Polyphenols in Beer Quality,Flavour and Haze Stability

Pilot‐scale brewing trials of a 12°P pale lager beer were conducted to look at the effect of a modified dose of hop and malt polyphenols on haze, flavour quality, and stability. Results confirmed that malt polyphenols, and particularly hop polyphenols, in the course of wort boiling, improved reducing activity values and the carbonyl content in fresh and stored beers. Hop polyphenols significantly increased reducing activity and decreased the formation of carbonyls (TBA value) in fresh and stored beer. Reduced content of malt polyphenols, combined with the use of hop CO₂ extract, caused an increase in the TBA value in beer. PVPP stabilized beers tended to be lower in reducing activity. Both malt and hop polyphenols affected the intensity of “harsh taste” in fresh beers and a significant influence from PVPP stabilization of beer was not observed. The staling degree of forced‐aged beers depended on the polyphenol content in the brewhouse. Both hop and malt polyphenols had a positive impact on flavour stability. PVPP treatment of beer had a positive effect on the flavour stability of heat‐aged beers. Polyphenols, especially hop polyphenols, slowed down flavour deterioration during the nine month storage period, but the primary effect was seen during the first four months of storage. Storage trials did not show any unambiguous effects for PVPP stabilization on beer flavour stability. Results confirmed the negative impact of malt and hop polyphenols on haze stability, and PVPP stabilization minimized differences in shelf life prediction values between beers prepared with the modified dose of polyphenols.     

The Possibilities of Particle Analysis Demonstrated by the Measurement of the Colloidal Stability of Filtered Beer

Long‐term stability is one of the most important quality criteria of beer. Three groups of measuring methods are available for its determination: real time tests, predictive tests and indicative tests. One of the most common methods is the predictive forcing test, which is a time‐consuming method for accelerating beer ageing, e.g., at 0°C and 60°C. Two ways exist to perform this test: (1) follow‐up of haze development and determination of the lag phase or (2) the measurement of haze values after several days. The first option was evaluated by performing a long‐term Forcing test over a period of 4 months by analyzing a bottom‐fermented beer. It was shown that the haze curve followed a typical course with a lag phase, an increase phase and a stationary phase. Significant differences between the measurement after the cooling and the warm period were shown. In search of quicker methods and more accurate predictive indicators, the charge titration method was developed as an alternative to determine the particle charge of filtered beers, whereupon the relationship was elucidated between the increase in hazing and decrease of potential along with the advanced aging of beer. The results showed that with increased particle size due to agglomeration, the total charge decreased. In this array of trials, two differently stabilized beers were examined. Although both beers showed different haze values in the beginning (0.32 EBC and 1.30 EBC), the less stabilized beer had only 10 warm days and in contrast the beer with the good stabilization had over 20 warm days. With the help of the total charge, predictions were possible regarding the long‐term stability of the beer.