Effect of varying starch properties and mashing conditions on wort sugar profiles

The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between starch composition in barley and its malted counterpart alongside malt enzyme activity and determine how these factors contribute to the fermentable sugar profile of wort. Two Australian malting barley varieties, Commander and Gairdner, were sourced from eight growing locations alongside a commercial sample of each. For barley and malt, total starch and gelatinisation temperature were taken, and for malt, α‐ and β‐amylase activities were measured. Samples were mashed using two mashing profiles (infusion and Congress) and the subsequent wort sugar composition and other quality measures (colour, original gravity, soluble nitrogen) were tested. Variety had no significant (<0.05) effect on any barley, malt, enzyme or wort characteristics. However, growing location impacted gelatinisation temperature, colour, malt protein content and original gravity. The gelatinisation temperature in malt samples was higher, by ~0.8°C, than in the equivalent barley sample. Several malt samples, even with protein contents <12.0%, had gelatinisation temperature >65°C. The fermentable sugars measured in the malt prior to mashing showed a higher proportion of maltose than glucose or maltotriose. In addition, there were significant differences in the amount of sugar produced by each mashing method with the high temperature infusion producing a higher amount of sugar and proportionally more maltose. There is scope for further research on the effect of genetics and growing environment on gelatinisation temperature, mash performance and fermentable sugar development. Routinely measuring gelatinisation temperature and providing this information on malt specification sheets could help brewers optimise performance. © 2019 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Influence of malted barley and exogenous enzymes on the glucose/maltose balance of worts with sorghum or barley as an adjunct

The sugar profile of wort from laboratory malted barley, malted sorghum, unmalted barley and unmalted sorghum grains mashed with commercial enzyme preparations were studied. Similar levels of glucose to maltose (1:7) were observed in wort of malted barley and malted sorghum. Mashing barley or sorghum grains with commercial enzymes changed the glucose to maltose ratio in both worts, with a greater change in wort from sorghum grains. Although hydrolysis with commercial enzymes released more glucose from maltose in sorghum wort, the same treatment retained more maltose in barley wort. Adding malted barley to sorghum grains mashed with commercial enzymes restored the glucose to maltose ratio in sorghum mash. Fermentation of wort produced from all barley malt (ABM) mash and commercial enzyme/barley malt/sorghum adjunct (CEBMSA) mash of similar wort gravity was also studied. ABM and CEBMSA worts exhibited similar glucose to maltose ratios and similar amino acid spectra. However, ABM released more individual amino acids and five times more proline than wort from commercial enzyme/barley malt/sorghum adjunct. ABM produced 27% more glucose and 7% more maltose than CEBMSA. After fermentation, ABM mash produced 9.45% ABV whilst commercial enzyme/barley malt/sorghum adjunct mash produced 9.06% ABV. Restoration of the glucose/maltose ratio in the CEBMSA mash produced wort with a sugar balance required for high gravity brewing. © 2020 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Validation and application of osmolyte concentration as an indicator to evaluate fermentability of wort and malt

The objective was to develop a new simple and quick approach to predict fermentability, based on osmolyte concentration (OC). Eight malts were assayed for diastatic power, starch‐degrading enzymes [α ‐amylase, β ‐amylase and limit dextrinase (LD)] and malt OC (MOC). All malts were mashed to determine wort OC (WOC), real degree of fermentation (RDF) and sugar contents in a small‐scale mashing protocol. The results showed that MOC was correlated with malt α ‐amylase, LD, the resultant WOC, RDF and fermentable sugar (r  = 0.813, 0.762, 0.795, 0.867, 0.744, respectively), suggesting that MOC was discriminating in predicting levels of malt amylolytic enzymes, wort sugar and RDF without the mashing and fermentation process. Moreover, WOC showed stronger correlations with malt α ‐amylase, LD, RDF and fermentable sugars (r  = 0.796, 0.841, 0.884, 0.982, respectively), suggesting that WOC can be used to quickly predict wort sugar contents and RDF without a fermentation step. Furthermore, the effects of mashing temperature and duration on WOC, RDF and sugar contents are discussed. Adjusting mash temperature to 65°C or extending the mash duration dramatically increased RDF and WOC, whereas malt extract was relatively stable. Similarly, WOC showed significant correlations with RDF and fermentable sugars (r  = 0.912 and 0.942, respectively), suggesting that WOC provides a simple and reliable tool to assist brewers to optimize mash parameters towards the production of ideal wort fermentability. In conclusion, the ability of OC to predict malt fermentability and sugar content allows brewers to keep better control of fermentability in the face of variation of malt quality, and to quickly adjust mashing conditions for the consistency of wort fermentability. Copyright © 2017 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

ROLE OF ALPHA-GLUCOSIDASE IN THE FERMENTABLE SUGAR COMPOSITION OF SORGHUM MALT MASHES*

The cause of the high glucose to maltose ratio in sorghum malt worts was studied. Mashing temperature and pH strongly affected both the amount of glucose and the proportion of glucose relative to total fermentable sugars. The relative proportion of glucose was higher when mashing was performed. at pH 4.0, close to the pH optimum for sorghum alpha-glucosidase, than at the natural pH of the mash (pH 6.0–5.5). Mashing according to the EBC procedure using an enzymic malt extract with pre-cooked malt insoluble solids producing a wort containing maltose and glucose in an approximately 4:1 ratio, whereas mashing with a malt extract without pre-cooking the malt insoluble solids resulted in a wort with approximately equal amounts of maltose and glucose. Both treatments gave the same quantity of total fermentable sugars and amount of wort extract. Sorghum alpha-glucosidase was confirmed to be highly insoluble in water. All or virtually all activity was associated with the insoluble solids. Hence, it appears that the high amount of glucose formed when sorghum malt is mashed conventionally is due to alpha-glucosidase activity. Pre-cooking the malt insoluble solids inactivates the alpha-glucosidase, preventing the hydrolysis of maltose to glucose.     

Impact of Dark Specialty Malts on Extract Composition and Wort Fermentation

Dark specialty malts are important ingredients for the production of several beer styles. These malts not only impart colour, flavour and antioxidative activity to wort and beer, they also affect the course of wort fermentations and the production of flavour‐active yeast metabolites. The application of considerable levels of dark malt was found to lower the attenuation, mainly as a result of lower levels of fermentable sugars and amino acids in dark wort samples. In fact, from the darkest caramel malts and from roasted malts, practically no fermentable material can be hydrolysed by pilsner malt enzymes during mashing. Compared to wort brewed with 50% pilsner malt and 50% dark caramel malt or roasted malt, wort brewed with 100% pilsner malt contained nearly twice as much fermentable sugars and amino acids. Reduced levels of yeast nutrients also lowered the fermentation rate, ranging from 1.7°P/day for the reference pilsner wort of 9 EBC to 1.1°P/day for the darkest wort (890 EBC units), brewed with 50% roasted malt. This additionally indicates that lower attenuation values for dark wort are partially due to the inhibitory effects of Maillard compounds on yeast metabolism. The application of dark caramel or roasted malts further led to elevated levels of the vicinal diketones diacetyl and 2,3‐pentanedione. Only large levels of roasted malt gave rise to two significant diacetyl peaks during fermentation. The level of ethyl acetate in beer was inversely related to colour, whereas the level of isoamyl acetate appeared to be affected by the use of roasted malt. With large levels of this malt type, negligible isoamyl acetate was generated during fermentation.     

Unmalted triticale cultivars as brewing adjuncts: effects of enzyme activities and composition on beer wort quality

The applicability of three selected triticale cultivars (Trinidad, Lamberto, Fidelio) for use as brewing adjuncts was investigated in comparison with wheat adjunct and barley malt. Fermentable substance, crude protein and arabinoxylan levels of starchy materials were determined as well as their native potencies (amylolytic, proteolytic, pentosolytic) to solubilise and degrade grain components during mashing. Laboratory‐scale experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of the adjuncts (composition, enzyme potency) on beer wort quality by mashing mixed (1:1) grists of malt and adjunct. Barley malt was rated as the superior raw material, possessing considerably higher enzyme activities and yielding the lowest wort viscosity. Among the triticale cultivars cv Trinidad was identified as the most suitable to serve as a brewing adjunct due to its improved starch solubilisation properties and its ability to generate low wort viscosities. Compared with the potent malt enzymes, the enzyme activities of unmalted triticale (such as amylases, pentosanases and proteases) had little affect on the composition of the sweet worts. In contrast, the contents of crude protein and fermentable substance of the triticale varieties greatly affected wort quality. Furthermore, the adjunct moiety determined the level of wort viscosity when mashing a combination of malt and triticale. In general, the brewing properties of triticale cv Trinidad were comparable with those of wheat. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

运用不同质量的麦芽进行双醪浸出糖化工艺的研究

<正> 前言 双醪糖化法,就是糖化过程中具有两种原料醪液;辅料醪和麦芽醪,辅料醪中添加少量的麦芽粉或酶制剂以帮助辅料淀粉液化的顺利进行。由于混合醪是杏具有倒醪煮沸的不同,这种糖化方法又可分为两类:双醪煮出糖化法和双醪浸出糖化法。国内各啤酒厂在生产下面发酵啤酒中,普遍采用了前种糖化方法(即二次糖化法),虽然它的原料利用率较高,但工艺过程较复杂,酶的反应条件不很合理,倒醪煮沸费时,热能消耗较多,且麦芽汁色度较     

Analysis of flavour compounds in beer with extruded corn starch as an adjunct

Extruded corn starch (ECS) was used as an adjunct during beer fermentation and the fermentable sugars in the wort made with ECS and cooked corn starch (CCS) were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The flavour compounds of beer made using ECS and CCS were determined using headspace solid‐phase micro‐extraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and eight volatile compounds in ECS and CCS beer were quantified using gas chromatography (GC). Five fermentable sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, maltotriose) were detected in both samples, and their content in ECS wort was higher than in CCS wort, except for maltose. Seventy‐three flavour compounds were identified and quantified in ECS beer, while 58 compounds were determined in CCS beer. Both ECS and CCS can be used to produce beer; however, the concentration of characteristic beer flavour compounds in ECS beer was higher than in CCS beer. Copyright © 2018 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     

Dry and Wet Milling of Malt. A Preliminary Study Comparing Fermentable Sugar,Total Protein,Total Phenolics and the Ferulic Acid Content in Non‐Hopped Worts

In this work, fermentable sugar, total protein, phenolics and ferulic acid content were estimated in sweet worts at different points of lautering. Transfer of these selected malt compounds into worts was analyzed in relation to the method of malt milling (wet milling of malt — the “test worts” or dry milling of malt — the “reference worts”). Glucose, maltose and maltotriose were more rapidly transferred into sweet worts at the early stages of lautering (40 hL and/or 80 hL of wort) after wet milling in comparison to dry milling. Total protein content in the test worts was significantly higher than in the corresponding reference worts at each stage of lautering. Transfer of phenolic compounds and ferulic acid (in the free as well as in the ester form) from the mash into sweet worts was significantly improved by dry milling, but not by wet milling. No difference in the total antioxidant activity was observed between the two types of worts. In conclusion, it can be stated that wet conditioning of malt before milling enhances the fast transfer of fermentable sugars and proteins from the mash into the sweet wort during lautering. Lautering is a time‐consuming process, and time reduction without the loss of wort quality should be a priority. Therefore, wet milling can be of interest to professionals in the field as an interesting alternative method to improve the mashing process.     

Infrared spectral analysis of sugar profiles of worts from varying grist to liquor ratios using infusion and ramping mash styles

Fermentability is an important trait for the brewing industry. Current industry methods lack the predictive capacity to accurately estimate how well a wort will ferment in the brewhouse. Wort from two mashing styles (high‐temperature infusion and low‐temperature ramping), and under varying grist to liquor (G:L) ratios, were produced and the differences in maltose, maltotriose and glucose were measured. The two mashing styles showed differences in original extract (Plato) values between the G:L ratios with a 1:2 G:L having the highest original extract. Maltose was the most abundant sugar in all sample types. All worts were scanned using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and the spectra also showed differences between the original extract and final extract with most of the changes around the spectral region associated with carbohydrates, a result of sugar utilization by the yeast. FTIR calibrations for extract and fermentable sugars all had r² values >0.98, with ratio of standard error of prediction to standard deviation >5. The results indicated changing fermentable sugar levels, thus making a prediction of fermentability possible. The FTIR also provided a rapid measure of changes in the fermentable sugar profile, which could assist maltsters and brewers in monitoring malt and beer quality. Copyright © 2016 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Studies on the mashing conditions of teff (Eragrostis tef) malt as a raw material for lactic acid‐fermented gluten‐free beverage

Formation of extracts and fermentable sugars during mashing can be limited by incomplete starch gelatinisation. The aim of this research was to develop mashing programme for 100% teff malt as a potential raw material for gluten‐free lactic acid‐fermented beverage. Isothermal mashing at temperatures ranging between 60 and 84 °C was conducted, and the highest extract (85%) was observed for the wort samples produced at temperatures higher than 76 °C. Sixty‐minute rest at 71 °C resulted in higher fermentable sugars than other tested conversion rest temperatures. Inclusion of lower mashing‐in temperature in the mashing programme also substantially improved the concentrations of free amino nitrogen (128 mg L^?1) and fermentable sugar (58 g L^?1) in the final wort. Therefore, 30‐min rest at 40 °C followed by 60‐min rest at 71 °C and 10‐min rest at 78 °C was found to be a suitable mashing programme for teff malt.     

THE INFLUENCE OF GRAIN COMPONENTS ON INFUSION MASH PERFORMANCE

The conversion of malt starch depends on the availability of water in the mash. At liquor to grist ratios of 3:1 or more, conversion is independent of the quantity of water present. At liquor to grist ratios of 2:1 or lower the amount of starch converted is proportional to the amount of water present. The presence of other water-binding molecules, such as maltose, beta-glucan, or pentosan increases the water dependence of the mash. The presence of protein per se does not affect water availability. However, since the starch content of grain is inversely proportional to the nitrogen level, low nitrogen malts require more water for complete conversion than those with higher nitrogen. The effective gelatinization of an isothermal adjunct mash may also depend on the amount of water available.     

Effect of the Malting Barley Variety (Hordeum vulgare L) on Fermentability1

The influence of the malting barley genotype on the apparent attenuation limit (AAL) was investigated. The AAL level correlated closely with the maltose concentration in the wort but was not affected by other fermentable sugars or by the total carbohydrate content. The chemical composition, modification, amylolytic enzyme activities and several starch properties of selected malts were studied in detail. Variations in the maltose concentration could almost solely be traced back to genotype‐dependent disparities of β‐amylase thermostability. These differences are due to interallelic polymorphisms of the β‐amylase gene and are easily detected by PCR. Hence, PCR primers offer remarkable prospects for breeding barley on the basis of a marker‐assisted selection (MAS).     

Effect of Amyloglucosidase on Wort Composition and Fermentable Carbohydrate Depletion in Sorghum Lager Beers

A three‐factorial experiment with a level of confidence of P < 0.05 was performed to study fermentable carbohydrate depletion and ethanol production during 144 h fermentations of lager beers produced with barley malt (BM), sorghum malt (SM), refined maize (MZ) or waxy sorghum (WXSOR) grits treated during mashing with or without amyloglucosidase (AMG). The percentage glucose, maltose and maltotriose, based on total fermentable carbohydrates for the BM wort was 20, 68 and 13% and for the SM wort 35, 48 and 17% respectively. Treatment with AMG increased wort glucose from 9.3 to 24.5 g/L wort and total fermentable sugar equivalents, expressed as g glucose/L, from 59.2 to 72.6 g/L wort. The SM worts had approximately 50% more glucose and 40% less initial maltose content respectively compared to the BM worts. The WXSOR grits produced worts and beers with similar properties to those produced from the MZ adjuncts. AMG addition led to a >2.5 fold increment in wort glucose and 23% in total fermentable carbohydrate content. Linear regression analysis determined that the consumption rate of fermentable carbohydrates during fermentation followed first order reaction kinetics. Depletion times to reach 50% of the initial concentrations of glucose, maltose and maltotriose were 49, 128 and 125 h, respectively, clearly indicating that the fermenting yeast preferred glucose. Maltose and maltotriose depletion times of the AMG treated worts were significantly faster and lower, respectively, when compared with the untreated worts. At the end of the fermentation, the BM beers contained higher ethanol levels (5.1% v/v) than the SM beers (3.9% v/v). For AMG treated beers, no significant differences in ethanol content were observed among samples mashed with BM and beers produced from SM and MZ grits. The results demonstrated that AMG could be used to increase the initial concentration of glucose and total fermentable carbohydrates thus decreasing dextrin levels, especially from sorghum mashes.     

Comparison of the impact on the performance of small‐scale mashing with different proportions of unmalted barley,Ondea Pro®, malt and rice

The impact of using different combinations of unmalted barley, Ondea Pro® and barley malt in conjunction with a 35% rice adjunct on mashing performance was examined in a series of small scale mashing trials. The objective was to identify the potential optimal levels and boundaries for the mashing combinations of barley, Ondea Pro®, malt and 35% rice (BOMR) that might apply in commercial brewing. Barley and malt samples used for the trials were selected from a range of Australian commercial barley and malt samples following evaluation by small‐scale mashing. This investigation builds on previous studies in order to adapt the technology to brewing styles common in Asia, where the use of high levels of rice adjunct is common. Mashing with the rice adjunct, combined with differing proportions of barley, Ondea Pro® and malt, resulted in higher extract levels than were observed for reference mashing, using either 100% malt reference or 100% barley reference and Ondea Pro® enzymes. Synergistic mashing effects between barley, Ondea Pro® and malt were observed for mash quality and efficiency parameters, particularly wort fermentability. The optimum levels of barley in the grist (with the relative level of Ondea Pro®) were assessed to be in the range 45–55% when paired with 10–20% malt and 35% rice. When the proportion of malt was reduced below 10% of the grist, substantial reductions in wort quality were observed for wort quality parameters including extract, lautering, fermentability, free amino nitrogen and haze. Extension of this new approach to brewing with rice adjuncts will benefit from further research into barley varietal selection in order to better meet brewer's quality requirements for the finished beer. Copyright © 2016 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Brewing with Rice Malt — A Gluten‐free Alternative

The preparation of beer‐like beverages with rice malt as the only raw material is reported. Several tests were performed on a laboratory scale and in a 25 L‐capacity pilot plant. Both the decoction and the infusion procedure were tested; malt and water were mixed in a ratio 1:3.5 for both methods and the mash was brewed without adding exogenous enzymes. The obtained worts were fermented using bottom fermenting yeasts, while “beers” were re‐fermented utilizing top fermenting yeasts and adding either sterile wort or sugar. A maximum ethanol of 4.5% vol. was obtained after the primary fermentation from an initial wort with an original gravity of 11.8°Plato. All parameters of the beer were found to be acceptable using a standard beer analysis. Owing to a suitable hop addition, an aroma very similar to that of a normal beer was obtained.     

ADJUNCTS

Although not essential in brewing, adjuncts are used in most countries and brewing regions and provide benefits in extract cost and beer qualities. Brewing sugars and caramel syrups may be used to adjust wort and beer characteristics with little capital investment. The incorporation of caramel malts can contribute to beer quality and stability. On a world-wide perspective, cereal-based adjuncts are dominant in the brewing of beer, and are the only adjuncts used in the production of Scotch grain whisky and the whiskeys of other countries, and in malt vinegar produced in the United Kingdom. The cost of adjuncts often depends on local availability, the added value of by-products and the utilisation of the maximum amount of starch or sugar from the agricultural source.     

Influence of sorghum grain type on wort physico‐chemical and sensory quality in a whole‐grain and commercial enzyme mashing process

To determine the most suitable types of sorghum for whole‐grain adjunct in lager beer brewing, 14 cultivars of five different types: white tan‐plant, white non‐tan‐plant, red non‐tannin, white tannin (type II) and red tannin (type III) were evaluated. The effects of grain type on wort physico‐chemical and sensory quality with raw grain and malt plus commercial enzyme mashing were assessed. Tannin content correlated significantly and negatively with wort extract and fermentable sugars (p < 0.001) and free amino nitrogen (FAN; p < 0.1). This is attributable to inactivation of the exogenous enzymes by the tannins during the mashing process. However, the type II tannin sorghums had wort quality attributes closer to the non‐tannin sorghum types, probably owing to their relatively low tannin content (≤1%). Malting gave a great improvement in wort extract, fermentable sugars and FAN, but substantially influenced wort sensory properties in terms of higher sourness, bitterness and astringency, as well as the expected more malty flavour. Worts from raw red non‐tannin sorghums were similar to those of white tan‐plant sorghums in both physico‐chemical and sensory quality. Thus, red non‐tannin sorghums, in view of their better agronomic quality, have considerable potential as a whole‐grain adjunct in lager beer brewing. Copyright © 2013 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

THE INFLUENCE OF MASHING CONDITIONS ON WORT AND BEER QUALITY

From a comparison of the performance of ale and lager malts mashed by constant temperature infusion, by temperature programmed infusion, and by decoction procedures it emerges that malt modification and the pattern of kilning are as important in determining the composition of wort as are the mashing conditions. Worts with appropriate levels of amino and total nitrogen and of fermentable sugars may be obtained by selecting lightly-dried well-modified malts and mashing with a constant temperature infusion rather than by using less modified malt in conjunction with more complex mashing programmes. Ale malts yield worts of lower pH which is reflected in a slight reduction in hop utilization. Head retention is improved by the use of undermodified malts but colloidal stability is improved when well-modified malts are used. In the case of well-modified malts a high final curing temperature is not a prerequisite for achieving good colloidal stability in beer.