LAGER-TYPE BEER MADE FROM EXTRUDED MALT; SENSORY AND CHEMICAL ANALYSES

A lager-type beer was brewed from a mixture of partially dried green malt and extruded green malt (9:1). Small flavour differences were observed in the beer made from the extruded malt when compared with two other types of beer, namely standard lager and beer made from 100% green malt which was partially dried. More than 90 flavour components were described upon sniffing of the GC eluate. Most of them were present in trace amounts which did not allow their identity to be established. However, in all beer samples several unidentified components were described as giving a “roasted”, “burnt”, “bread crust” or “biscuit” odour. These odour characteristics probably derive from the alkylpyrazines present. Positively identified pyrazines were only found in the “extruded” beer, namely methylpyrazine and 2,5 (and/or-2,6)-dimethylpyrazine. However, when the beer was tasted, no characteristics associated with a roasted or burnt flavour were registered. Among the identified flavour components esters and alcohols were abundantly represented.     

啤酒中二甲基硫化物的形成机理及其控制

七十年代以来,二甲基硫在啤酒风味中的作用越来越引起人们的重视。它是一种具有“玉米糊味”的易挥发含硫化合物,其阈值在30μg/L左右,在啤酒中含量超过100μg/L,会导致啤酒的风味特别差。已知其有两种前驱物质SMM和DMSO。大麦在发芽过程中由甲基蛋氨酸合成酶合成了不活泼的DMS前驱体物质一SMM,不活泼的SMM在发芽过程中在酶的作用下分解为DMS,很大部分的DMS在发芽干燥过程中由SMM分解产生。DMS在焙燥过程中被氧化产生DMSO。制麦过程中,浸麦度、发芽温度越高,绿麦芽的含水量越大,SMM的生成量越大。糖化过程中SMM水解产生DMS;一般情况下,煮沸时间长,DMS前驱体的分解越彻底,蒸发强度高,有利于DMS的大量挥发。发酵过程中,DMS可由活性SMM水解产生;酵母也可还原DMSO形成DMS。欲控制DMS的生成量,必须从快、多方面入手。     

PROGRESS TOWARDS AN INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF BEER FLAVOUR TERMINOLOGY

In an attempt to bring order into the existing chaos of beer flavour terminology, the joint working parties formed by the three above-mentioned organizations began by compiling a list of flavour terms in current use in the major languages. Terms were grouped according to related flavour characteristics. Synonyms and ill-defined terms were then eliminated and the most appropriate name was selected for each separately identifiable flavour note. This paper summarises the resultant flavour terminology, which attempts to arrange, in a logical way, terms describing sensory components of beer flavour which can be objectively characterized. It is recommended that the proposed terminology be used in the brewing industry for a trial period of a year or more, and then reconsidered in the light of experience, so that an agreed definitive list of flavour terms, with detailed definition and reference standards, may subsequently be prepared. Ongoing activities of the joint working parties on reference standards and on flavour thresholds are briefly discussed.     

THE FLAVOUR OF BEER—A REVIEW*

Following a general consideration of the chemical nature of compounds which provide sensations of taste or of odour, the flavour components of beer are discussed in some detail. Methods suitable for determining individual flavour compounds are indicated in relation to organoleptic assessment by a selective panel of testers. The concept of “flavour index” (flavour threshold of a component divided by the concentration of that component in beer) is introduced: substances with a low flavour index require close control in the production of beer.     

DIACETYL—A REVIEW: PART I—ANALYTICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CONSIDERATIONS: PART II—BREWING EXPERIENCE

Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione are normal products of yeast metabolism and are formed in every brewery fermentation. The desired level in the final beer depends on the particular flavour aimed for but, in all types of beer, flavour defects are caused by excessive concentrations of diacetyl and many brewers might be happy to have no diacetyl in the beer. Recent improvements in analytical techniques show that many of the problems associated with diacetyl are due to the occurrence of compounds which can give rise to diacetyl in the finished beer. These compounds include the so-called “precursor,” acetolactic acid, but possibly other compounds such as the bisulphite addition compound of diacetyl are also involved. Study of the factors affecting diacetyl formation and removal by yeast shows how the concentration of diacetyl in beer can be controlled, and the processes at present used to regulate the diacetyl concentration in beer are described. The yeast strain used, the condition of the pitching yeast, the wort composition, the detailed management of the fermentation and the treatment of the beer during packaging and storage can all affect the diacetyl content of the beer.     

The barrel aged beer wheel: a tool for sensory assessment

There has been an increasing interest in the wooden barrel aging of beer in breweries worldwide. Monitoring of the barrel aging process relies mostly on changes in sensory parameters over time. This may be difficult for teams or brewers with little or no appropriate experience. The beer sensory wheel presents a broad approach to sensory aspects and generalised attributes for many beer styles. Accordingly, this tool may result in confusion through excessive visual information. The work reported here is based on literature research and sensory panel analysis employing ultra-flash profile with the aim to build a new visual tool for wooden barrel aged beer. This will aid the evaluation, training and quality assessment of barrel aged beer. It also provides specific terminology to describe the sensory changes during the barrel aging process. This approach was used to elucidate the characteristics of different wood species (amburana, cabreúva and American oak), and evaluate the flavour transformation of wooden barrel aged beer compared to non-aged beer. The barrel aged beer wheel comprises attributes and references for flavour evaluation and also terms that define the main transformational pathways, namely oxidation, wood extraction and biotransformation. The wheel described here is intended to meet academic and professional needs for the quality assessment of wooden barrel aged beer based on sensory analysis. © 2020 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

INFLUENCE OF pH ON FLAVOUR STALING DURING BEER STORAGE

A decreasing pH accelerated an increase in the chemiluminescence production and degradation of isohumulones and procyanidins during the storage of beer and using a model system. The sensory test showed that the addition of HCI to fresh beer accelerated the flavour staling during beer storage but that the addition of HCI to stored beer did not significantly accelerate the flavour staling. Therefore, it was thought that the acceleration of beer flavour staling is not dependent on a decrease in pH such that the decreasing pH isolates stale flavour aldehydes by a dissociation from staling-flavour aldehyde adducts but based on the fact that the decreasing pH accelerates the flavour staling reactions, free radical reactions, during beer storage.     

PROFILE ANALYSIS AND FLAVOUR DISCRIMINATION

The relative merits of profile tasting and difference tasting are discussed. Profile analysis can reveal and characterize flavour differences that are not revealed by difference tasting using the triangular or three-glass test, even though the same people carry out both types of test. A multiple comparison test is used in conjunction with profile analysis to reveal the size as well as the nature of perceived differences in flavour. This is exemplified by studies of the effect of adding increasing amounts of diacetyl to three different types of beer. It may be necessary to consider not just the presence of individual flavour notes but also their duration and order of perception in order to explain the effects of flavour potentiators, such as guanosine 5′-monophosphoric acid.     

UNMALTED CEREAL PRODUCTS FOR BEER BREWING. PART I. THE USE OF HIGH PERCENTAGES OF EXTRUDED OR REGULAR CORN STARCH AND SORGHUM

On the basis of results obtained in micro-brews four beers were produced on a 50 litre scale with 50% of the following adjunct materials: debranned sorghum, extruded debranned sorghum, corn starch and extruded corn starch. The extruded materials were processed in an infusion mash while the regular adjuncts were submitted to a preliminary boil, followed by a cooling step (to 45°C) and a subsequent infusion mash. The results indicate a normal fermentation in all cases, no impact of extrusion upon the colloidal stability and the colour of the resulting beers although the saccharification and filtration rates are seriously impaired during the production process inter alia due to the presence of intact starch granules in the extruded products. If these problems could be overcome, it seems perfectly possible to produce beers with high percentages of extruded adjuncts containing no nitrogeneous substances. Indeed, extrusion of debranned sorghum leads to the presence in beer of nitrogen containing compounds (e.g. alkylpyrazines) responsible for highly obnoxious flavours described by a professional taste panel as giving “artificial”, “coffee”, “burnt” or “caramel” odours. These negative flavour characteristics are absent in the beer produced with 50% of extruded corn starch.     

The application of multivariate mathematical-statistical methods to the solution of problems in nutrition theory,nutritional economics and food technology. Part 5. Cluster analysis as a tool for proofing sensory attributes

The task of the test program was the replacement of more subjective and time-consuming sensory methods by instrumental or chemical ones. In the case of meat flavour concentrates (MFC) and their burnt-bitter flavour the cluster analysis resulted in the following: –The test program was based on 20 samples produced by statistical plans (central composite design for 3 explanatory variables). Starting with 10 sensory and 40 instrumental methods the latter have been reduced to 10 methods considering the suppositions for application of the cluster analysis. –The 20 samples were tested on one side by a trained sensory panel for the intensity of the “burnt-bitter” flavour and parallely by the selected 10 instrumental values. This resulted in both cases in the differentiation into 3 clusters with significant differences. –For evaluation of MFC as to their “burnt-bitter” flavour it was shown that the sensory evaluation can be replaced or supported by analytical data successfully. Thus cluster analysis is a useful tool for this purpose delivering transparent results.     

The chemistry of beer aging – a critical review

Currently, the main quality problem of beer is the change of its chemical composition during storage, which alters the sensory properties. A variety of flavours may arise, depending on the beer type and the storage conditions. In contrast to some wines, beer aging is usually considered negative for flavour quality. The main focus of research on beer aging has been the study of the cardboard-flavoured component (E)-2-nonenal and its formation by lipid oxidation. Other stale flavours are less described, but may be at least as important for the overall sensory impression of aged beer. Their origin has been increasingly investigated in recent years. This review summarizes current knowledge about the chemical origin of various aging flavours and the reaction mechanisms responsible for their formation. Furthermore, the relationship between the production process and beer flavour stability is discussed.     

Relating consumer preferences to sensory attributes of instant coffee

The sensory profiles of 11 instant coffees including pure coffees (PC), coffee blends (CB) and a chicory instant drink (CID), commercially available in South Africa, were described and quantified. These were then related to consumer preferences (n=199) for the instant coffees using preference mapping. Based on consumer preferences, four consumer groups were identified, “pure coffee lovers” (23%), “coffee blend drinkers” (30%), “general coffee drinkers” (37%) and “not serious coffee drinkers” (10%). The “pure coffee lovers” prefer the more astringent, bitter, roasted, nutty and full-bodied flavour of the pure coffee samples. The less intense coffee flavour character, but higher sweetness and root flavour, typical of chicory blended instant coffee, were attributes that were preferred by the “coffee blend lovers”. The “general coffee drinkers” seem to consume coffee out of habit and are less concerned about the specific sensory properties of the coffee.     

CAPRYLIC FLAVOUR AS A FEATURE OF BEER FLAVOUR

Caprylic flavour is part of the distinctive overall flavour of a large proportion of beers in trade. The flavour occurs in the majority of lager beers and in about 20% of ales. It is correlated with the levels of octanoic acid and decanoic acid present in beer. Lager yeasts (S. uvarum) tend to liberate larger amounts of these two fatty acids during fermentation than do ale yeasts (S. cerevisiae). The flavour significance of these acids has been determined by correlating the results of sensory and instrumental analyses and also by adding the purified acids to beer. Implications of these two methods for assessing the flavour significance of chemical constituents of a complex product are discussed.     

Use of healthier fats in biscuits (olive and sunflower oil): changing sensory features and their relation with consumers' liking

The aim of this study was to evaluate consumer acceptability of biscuits when saturated fat was replaced by olive or sunflower oil and to determine the sensory characteristics responsible for changes in acceptability. Ninety seven consumers evaluated the acceptability of six biscuit samples varying in the fat source (dairy shortening, olive oil and sunflower oil) and fat content (10.6% and 15.6%). Using a Check All That Apply question (CATA), consumers also evaluated sensory properties of biscuits. Results indicated that the replacement of saturated fat (dairy shortening) by vegetable oils had an effect on biscuit acceptability which depended on biscuit fat content. According to biscuits' acceptability data, three different clusters of consumers were identified. By using a multiple factor analysis, the relationship among sensory CATA data and acceptability of each cluster explained the different acceptability patterns of consumers. For most of consumers acceptability was related to attributes “crispy”, “easy to chew” and “biscuit flavour” which, for one group were perceived in shortening biscuits and, for another in both olive and shortening biscuits. However, for the third group of consumers, acceptability was only related to flavour attributes like “roasted flavour” or “biscuit flavour” that were perceived in vegetable oil biscuits which were the preferred biscuits while, shortening biscuits were disliked and perceived as having an “off flavour”.     

Relationships between the gross,non-volatile and volatile compositions and the sensory attributes of eight hard-type cheeses

Relationships between individual flavour attributes of eight hard-type cheeses and their volatile compounds, free amino acids (FAA), free fatty acids (FFA) and gross compositional constituents were determined. Relationships were also determined between individual texture attributes and gross compositional constituents. A trained panel of 15 assessors described the sensory characteristics of the cheeses using eight odour, twenty flavour, four appearance and nine texture attributes. Volatile compounds were isolated using a model-mouth device. FAA, FFA and gross compositional constituents were determined using standard methods. Relationships were determined by using partial least squares regression coupled with a new jack-knife method for identification and elimination of non-contributing variables. Eight flavour attributes were found to be correlated with subsets of volatile compounds, FAA, FFA and gross compositional constituents. For instance, the “nutty” flavour of Emmental was found to be positively correlated with the concentrations of propionic acid, ethyl acetate and 2-pentanone. “Nutty” flavour was negatively correlated with the concentrations of salt in moisture and pH 4.6-soluble nitrogen (pH 4.6-SN). Four texture attributes were correlated with subsets of gross compositional constituents. For example, “firmness” was positively correlated with concentrations of protein, calcium and phosphorous and negatively correlated with pH value and level of pH 4.6-SN.     

THE INFLUENCE OF CONDITIONING ON LAGER BEER QUALITY

The relative contributions to lager beer quality of malt, conditioning, and other parts of the brewing process have been assessed by analytical and sensory evaluation. Backed beers, brewed and fermented under various conditions, were stored at temperatures of 12°C, 4°C or 0°C for periods ranging from 2 to 38 days before filtration and bottling. No evidence could be found to justify a need for long periods of beer storage. Although prolonged storage can provide a remedial process, correcting aspects of beer quality such as diacetyl levels, final gravity, and removal of ‘young beer’ flavour, all these features can be more rapidly, effectively and economically controlled by closer attention to materials quality and primary fermentation procedure.     

Supplementing hedonic and sensory consumer research on beer with cognitive and emotional measures,and additional insights via consumer segmentation

A consumer-based multivariate approach to the study of eight commercial beers (mass-produced, speciality and craft) was undertaken in New Zealand with ∼200 people. The beers spanned a wide range of sensory characteristics, from traditional lager and ale styles to high flavour impact beers with novel flavours (e.g. liquorice and rosemary) and less common styles (weisse and gose). These flavour differences were a larger driver of consumers’ hedonic/emotional/cognitive responses than alcohol content, which ranged from 0.5 to 7.2% alcohol by volume (ABV). The supplementation of hedonic and perceptual measures with emotional and cognitive variables resulted in a more detailed differentiation of products, which was further enhanced by consumer segmentation. In the rapidly evolving beer market, there is significant value in product-focused consumer research that delivers insights “beyond liking” and provide a deeper level of understanding about consumers’ product experiences. The research also contributed methodologically to the multivariate approach by considering pros and cons of study implementation aspects such as free-listing and ballot length. This will benefit future researchers in study planning and execution.