Effect of wine barrel ageing or sapa addition on total polyphenol content and antioxidant activities of some Italian craft beers

Beer is a complex mixture of bioactive polyphenols with positive health effects, and its composition is influenced by some technological variables. In this study, the total polyphenol content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity of some Italian craft beers produced by ageing in wood barrel that previously contained red or white wines, and by addition of sapa, a cooked must from wine grapes, were investigated. TPC greatly vary among different beer types. Craft beers stored in wood barrels that contained red wines, such as those added of sapa from red wine grapes, showed a TPC up to 2.5 times higher (1000 GAE mg L^?1) compared with other craft beers, and 3.6 times higher than the industrial beer. The antioxidant activity is remarkably different depending on beer type and strictly correlated with TPC. Results indicate that antioxidant properties of the craft beers could be efficiently improved by the explored technological processes.     

Suitability of unmalted quinoa for beer production

BACKGROUND

This study provides the first detailed investigation into the effect of partially substituting barley malt with quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) on the characteristics of wort and beer. Quinoa seeds and flakes were compared in terms of their suitability for brewing. The benefits of applying a commercial enzyme mixture during beer production with quinoa were also investigated.

RESULTS

These findings show that quinoa is a good starchy raw material for brewing. Even without exogenous enzymes, it is possible to substitute barley malt with up to 30% quinoa. The form in which quinoa is used has a negligible influence on the quality of the wort and beer. The foam stability of beer made with quinoa was better than that of all‐malt beer, despite there being a lower level of soluble nitrogen in quinoa beer in comparison with all‐malt beer and more than twice the amount of fat in quinoa in comparison to barley malt.

CONCLUSION

The addition of unmalted quinoa does not give unpleasant characteristics to the beer and was even found to have a positive effect on its overall sensory quality. This offers brewers an opportunity to develop good beers with new sensory characteristics. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of hop harvest date of the ‘Mandarina Bavaria’ hop variety on the sensory evaluation of dry‐hopped top‐fermented beer

To impart a special hop aroma to beer, dry‐hopping is a technique that is becoming more and more popular with commercial breweries. Nevertheless, until now little was known about the factors that influence the reproducibility (and consistent product quality) of dry‐hopping with flavour varieties. One factor that could influence the sensory impressions and aroma profile compositions of dry‐hopped beers is the hop harvest date. Therefore, to determine the effects of different harvest dates of the flavour variety ‘Mandarina Bavaria’ on the aroma of top‐fermented beer, laboratory‐scale dry‐hopping trials were performed. Besides tasting sessions of brewed beers, relative quantities of selected hop‐derived, as well as beer‐originated aroma compounds, were investigated by headspace–solid‐phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Duo–trio tests between the beers hopped with pellets of different harvest dates showed no significant differences (α = 0.05) between them. In addition, these beers had similar profiles in a five‐point profile tasting scheme. On the other hand, relative concentrations of some hop‐derived aroma compounds – especially myrcene, which is known to be able to contribute to beer flavour – increased corresponding to a later harvest date, while beer originated volatiles were not different between the beers. Analytical results combined with the results of sensory evaluations led to the conclusion that the harvest date of Mandarina Bavaria was not a dominant factor in the dry‐hopping aroma of top‐fermented beers. High amounts of fermentation by‐products are likely responsible for masking effects resulting in no sensory distinctness between the samples with different hop aroma compound concentrations. Copyright © 2016 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Biological acidification and beer quality: addition of lactic acid bacteria isolated from malt

Two lactic acid bacteria, Pediococcus acidilactici HW01 and Leuconostoc citreum isolated from Pilsner malt, were added during mashing and the impact on fermentation examined. The pH of lactic acid bacteria supplemented (bioacidified) wort and finished beer were lower than that of the control. Bioacidified worts resulted in higher levels of free amino nitrogen, reducing sugars and alcohol in the corresponding beers. Foam stability of beers from P. acidilactici and L. citreum worts were increased by 19% and 26%, respectively. The filtration time was reduced in P. acidilactici treated beers but increased with L. citreum. The use of P. acidilactici and L. citreum as bioacidification agents resulted in beers with higher sensory quality. © 2020 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

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     

Predicting the organoleptic stability of beer from chemical data using multivariate analysis

Delaying flavour staling, to prolong the shelf life of beer, is one of the greatest challenges facing the brewing industry today. In this study, a series of lager beers were brewed using five European barley varieties and four chemical indicators of the degree of beer ageing were correlated with the sensory evaluation: E-2-nonenal, β-damascenone, 2-furaldehyde and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF). A statistical strategy using principal component analysis and multiple linear regression was applied to draw relationships between the sensory and chemical data sets. Additionally, the relative significance of each of the chemical data on the organoleptic stability of beer was evaluated within the method. 5-HMF was the only studied carbonyl compound whose concentration cannot be used for predicting the total taste score of beers. E-2-nonenal, in contrast, was found to be the most discriminant carbonyl compound under consideration for predicting the flavour stability of beer.     

The influence of unmalted barley on the oxidative stability of wort and beer

The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of unmalted barley on the brewing process and the quality of the resulting beer‐like beverages, with the main focus on the oxidative stability, using traditional beer analyses, GC‐MS for the determination of aging compounds and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine free radical activity. For the investigation, brews with different barley proportions and 75% barley brews with a colour malt addition, to compensate for a lower colour using barley, were produced. In general, it can be said that beers with a proportion of up to 50% barley achieved a comparable or higher extract yield and final attenuation owing to the combined effectiveness of the malt and microbial enzymes. Although all analytical values were within the normal range according to Methodensammlung der Mitteleuropäischen Brautechnischen Analysenkommission (MEBAK), a slight decrease in total polyphenols and free amino nitrogen content was observed. Also in response to higher barley portions, an increase of higher molecular weight proteins and β‐glucan was detected. Barley is not exposed to heat and oxidative stress in the malting plant, which explains the lower values of the thiobarbituric acid index and colour as an indicator of Maillard reaction products in the resulting wort and beer. Additionally, the results demonstrate a slower increase of aging compounds during beer storage with increasing barley proportions. Furthermore, it was observed that higher barley proportions led to a better oxidative stability indicated by a lower radical generation (T₄₅₀‐value) in wort and an increasing beverage antioxidant index/endogenous antioxidative potential (BAX/EAP value) in the final beverage. The case of ‘barley beers’ showed that the positive effect of barley on the oxidative beer stability was greater than the negative effect of the addition of colour malt, to adjust the colour of a 100% malt beer. In sensory comparison with beer produced with 100% malt, the beers brewed with a barley proportion up to 50% showed a slight flavour preference and up to a 75% equivalent evaluation. Copyright © 2012 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Possibilities to improve the antioxidative capacity of beer by optimized hopping regimes

Different hopping regimes were evaluated to investigate the effect on the oxidative stability of wort and beer. Compared with a single hop dosage at the beginning of wort boil, it was possible to increase the concentration of α‐acids in pitching wort and beer by applying incremental hop dosage, dry hopping or the use of a pre‐isomerized hop product in combination with an α‐acid extract, which concomitantly resulted in lower iron concentrations and an enhanced flavour stability as indicated by standard wort and beer analyses, atomic absorption spectroscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy and sensory analysis of fresh and force‐aged beers. The functional principle of hop dosage variations is explained by saving of α‐acids throughout the wort production process, which yields an increased formation and precipitation of pro‐oxidative acting transition metal ions (e.g. Fe) in α‐acid‐complexes during the whirlpool rest and fermentation. Consequently, fewer reactive oxygen species are generated. Additional laboratory trials simulating wort cooling and beer storage in buffered model solutions proved that un‐isomerized α‐acids are strong iron chelators and confirmed the functional principle of the applied hopping regimes. Negative effects of higher α‐acid contents on fermentation performance and depletion of the zinc concentration, which is an essential nutrient for yeast, could be excluded. Copyright © 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Development of low-alcohol isotonic beer by interrupted fermentation

Alcohol-free beer with isotonic properties is getting more popular and its production can be carried out by different production strategies; however, interrupted fermentation is still a challenge. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a low-alcohol isotonic beer (<0.5% v/v) by interrupted fermentation. Moreover, the major objective is to compare the developed product to commercial beverages (sports drinks, ‘Pilsen' regular beer, alcohol-free beers and low-alcohol isotonic beer). The beverages were evaluated based on pH, alcohol content (% v/v), total titratable acidity (mEq L⁻¹), osmolality (mOsmol kg⁻¹), bitterness International Bitterness Units, colour European Brewery Convention, total phenolic compounds (mg L⁻¹ gallic acid), reducing and total sugars (%) and Na and K contents (mg L⁻¹). The developed low-alcohol isotonic beer presented characteristics similar to sports drinks, with the advantage of being richer in phenolic compounds and suitable osmolality. Despite salts were added in its formulation, the grades attributed to all beers employed in the sensory evaluation, as well as the purchase intention did not present significant differences.     

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.     

Effects of “craft” vs. “traditional” labels to beer consumers with different flavor preferences: A comprehensive multi-response approach

Common definitions of craft-style beers emphasize that they are brewed by small, local breweries and that they have complex, novel and, often, bold flavors. In recent research conducted with declared craft beer drinkers who tasted beers in a blind condition, Jaeger et al. (2020) [FQAP, 103884] identified the existence of two preference segments. One segment (Craft-style Likers) preferred the characteristic complex, novel and bold flavors of many craft-style beers, while the other segment (Traditional-style Likers) preferred the less complex and milder flavors associated with traditional-style beers. In the present research, a multivariate response approach that included the evaluation of liking, sensory, holistic/conceptual, and cognitive/emotional/situational responses, as well as beer-related attitudes and behaviors, was used to assess the same set of six beers in a similar sample of declared craft beer drinkers (n = 122) as used in our previous study. However, beers were now labeled to reflect the style of the beer (craft vs. traditional) and the size (small vs. large) and regional origin (local vs. international) of the brewer. Results confirmed the existence of the same two preference segments. Although the effects of labeling the beers in accordance with their craft- vs. traditional-style natures did not influence sensory, holistic/conceptual or cognitive responses, they did influence emotional and situational responses. For craft-style beer likers, the information increased their positive emotions and the situational uses for craft-style beers, while for the traditional-style beer likers the labeling had a corresponding positive effect on their judgments of the traditional style beers. The results confirm previous findings on beer and product labeling, which show that sensory properties are less susceptible to extrinsic information effects than are affective, emotional and other, non-sensory product judgments. Implications for craft and traditional brewers are discussed and suggestions for future research presented.     

Influence of the range of molecular weight distribution of beer components on the intensity of palate fullness

The effect of the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the beer components on the intensity of palate fullness was studied. The range of MWD for different types of maltodextrin and for nine commercial pilsner beers was determined using AF4/MALLS/RI. Sensory analysis (DIN 10952, DIN ISO 4120 and DIN 10963/ISO 8587) was carried out by a trained Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft, German Agriculture Society (DLG) tasting panel. The intensity of the palate fullness of a spiking trial (beer + maltodextrin) and the threshold concentration of the maltodextrins in beer was determined. The association between the ranges of MWD and the intensity of the palate fullness of the commercial pilsner beers was studied. AF4/MALLS/RI and sensory analysis were used to study the effect of variations of the brewing process on the range of MWD and the palate fullness of beer. The intensity of the palate fullness differed significantly (p < 0.0001) within commercial pilsner beers. Strong associations were found between the range of MWD of the commercial beers and intensity of the palate fullness (p < 0.05). The range of MWD of the commercial pilsner beers (3–13 kDa) corresponded to those found for maltodextrins with intermediated range of MWD (3.4–22.3 kDa). The threshold concentration was higher (p < 0.0001) for those maltodextrins with lower range of MWD (2.7–8.9 kDa). Beers produced with malted barley with Kolbach Index of 36 % exhibited a higher range of MWD (2.9–13 kDa) compared to those with Kolbach Index of 41 % (1.7–11.6 kDa). Slight differences in the palate fullness were perceived according to variations on the initial temperature of the mashing process among those beers produced using Kolbach Index of 36 %, whereas a great difference (p < 0.0001) was perceived using Kolbach Index of 41 %. The intensity of the palate fullness of the pilsner beer was influenced by the range of MWD of the beer components which would vary according to differences in the mashing process and of the quality of the malted barley.     

DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS OF SENSORY AND INSTRUMENTAL DATA ON BEER

Stepwise discriminant analysis has been used to examine sensory and instrumental data on forty six different brands of ale from five brewing companies. The beers were classified also according to four evenly spaced bands of original gravity within the range 1·030 to 1·050. Two samples of each beer from brews several months apart were analysed. Eighty of the beers were correctly assigned to brewing companies from data on four sensory and five instrumental parameters. The most important of these parameters were iso-amyl alcohol content and caprylic flavour, both of which relate to products of fermentation. Eighty six of the beers were correctly classified into gravity bands using data on thirteen sensory parameters relating to the beer flavours. In this case the three most important parameters were body (palate-fullness), viscous (thick) mouthfeel and aldehydic/estery character.     

Comparison of beer quality attributes between beers brewed with 100% barley malt and 100% barley raw material

BACKGROUND: Brewing with 100% barley using the Ondea^® Pro exogenous brewing enzyme product was compared to brewing with 100% barley. The use of barley, rather than malt, in the brewing process and the consequences for selected beer quality attributes (foam formation, colloidal stability and filterability, sensory differences, protein content and composition) was considered. RESULTS: The quality attributes of barley, malt, kettle‐full‐wort, cold wort, unfiltered beer and filtered beer were assessed. A particular focus was given to monitoring changes in the barley protein composition during the brewing process and how the exogenous OndeaPro^® enzymes influenced wort protein composition. All analyses were based on standard brewing methods described in ASBC, EBC or MEBAK. To monitor the protein changes two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used. CONCLUSION: It was shown that by brewing beer with 100% barley and an appropriate addition of exogenous Ondea^® Pro enzymes it was possible to efficiently brew beer of a satisfactory quality. The production of beers brewed with 100% barley resulted in good process efficiency (lautering and filtration) and to a final product whose sensory quality was described as light, with little body and mouthfeel, very good foam stability and similar organoleptic qualities compared to conventional malt beer. In spite of the sensory evaluation differences could still be seen in protein content and composition. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Microbial acidification,alcoholization, and aroma production during spontaneous lambic beer production

Acidic beers, such as Belgian lambic beers and American and other coolship ales, are becoming increasingly popular worldwide thanks to their refreshing acidity and fruity notes. The traditional fermentation used to produce them does not apply pure yeast cultures but relies on spontaneous, environmental inoculation. The fermentation and maturation process is carried out in wooden barrels and can take up to three years. It is characterized by different microbial species belonging to the enterobacteria, acetic acid bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts. This review provides an introduction to the technology and four fermentation strategies of beer production, followed by the microbiology of acidic beer production, focusing on the main microorganisms present during the long process used for the production of Belgian lambic beers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical characterization of sahti,an ‘ancient’ beer style indigenous to Finland

Sahti, a strong, unhopped farmhouse beer flavoured with juniper, is still actively brewed in rural areas in Finland. Presented here is the first comprehensive analysis of the physical and chemical properties of this unique beer style. Twelve sahti samples from the southwest of Finland were analysed and, while properties varied, the beers generally had high levels of alcohol (mean = 7.9% ABV) and high residual extract (mean = 9.5°P). Foam stability was negligible, as is typical for the style, and glycerol concentrations at 3.1 – 4.7 g L^?1 were higher than in reference beers (commercial lager, wheat beer and porter). These features may be attributed to the very high gravity conditions employed in brewing sahti beers. Bitterness levels were relatively low (3–13 IBU) owing to the absence or moderate use of hops. All samples contained detectable levels of the clove‐like compound 4‐vinylguaiacol owing to the use of baker's rather than brewer's yeast for brewing. Concentrations of higher alcohols and esters were high, with many individual aroma compounds being above the normal flavour thresholds. Results have highlighted the uniqueness of this style of beer in comparison to commercially available beers and have contributed to our understanding of the reasons for the particular sensorial properties of this traditional beer style. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

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.