Occurrence of sotolon,abhexon and theaspirane‐derived molecules in Gueuze beers. Chemical similarities with ‘yellow wines’

The typical Belgian Gueuze beers are produced with aged hop from a grist of malt and wheat, according to a very long oxidation process (extended boiling, cooling overnight in an open‐air container, oak‐barrel ageing). Two theaspirane‐oxidation‐derived products, dihydrodehydro‐β‐ionone and 4‐hydroxy‐7,8‐dihydro‐β‐ionone, are evidenced here for the first time in Gueuze beers. Both compounds have been recently identified in oxidative wines such as Jura Flor‐Sherry and Sauternes wines. Another analogy with Jura Flor‐Sherry wines was the presence of the nutty/curry odorants sotolon and abhexon, although at lower concentrations. Copyright © 2012 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

SYNTHESIS OF AROMA COMPONENTS DURING THE SPONTANEOUS FERMENTATION OF LAMBIC AND GUEUZE

Lambic is a type of Belgian beer obtained by spontaneous fermentation of wort. The fermentation in casks takes almost two years, and after that period the beer may be re-fermented in bottles and is then called gueuze. To gain insight into the many microbiological transformations occurring during this process, a qualitative and quantitative study of several components formed over a two-year period was undertaken. It was found that lambic and gueuze are characterized by high contents of ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate, lactic acid and acetic acid. Two phases of fermentation may be distinguished: a primary phase lasting for about three months during which almost all the ethanol and higher alcohols are formed and a very long secondary phase during which lactic acid is formed first, followed by ethyl lactate. Some lower fatty acids, including all the acetic acid, are made at the very beginning of the first phase. An important part of the ethyl acetate is made during the first phase but the amounts increase slowly to high levels during the second phase. Unusually low amounts of isoamyl acetate are detected. Several components are above the reported threshold levels of taste and are thus probably involved in the genesis of the typical aroma of lambic and gueuze. These results will allow a further study of the relations between the components found and the microbial populations involved in the spontaneous fermentation inherent in the brewing of lambic and gueuze.     

MICROBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SPONTANEOUS WORT FERMENTATION IN THE PRODUCTION OF LAMBIC AND GUEUZE

Lambic and Gueuze are special Belgian beers obtained by spontaneous fermentation. Micro-organisms involved in this fermentation were counted and differentiated using several selective growth media. Micro-organisms were also isolated from samples of Lambic of different age and originating from different casks and brews and identified by classical tests. The following general pattern of microbial development was observed. After 3 to 7 days the fermentation started with the development of wort Enterobacteriaceae and strains of Kloeckera apiculata. These organisms were overgrown after 3 to 4 weeks by strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. bayanus. These were responsible for the main fermentation, lasting for 3 to 4 months. This was followed by a strong bacterial activity. This period was dominated by the growth of strains of Pediococcus cerevisiae. These reached their maximal numbers during the summer months and were responsible for a fivefold increase in lactic acid concentration. In some casks they caused ropiness. After the main fermentation period Lambic is very sensitive to spoilage by acetic acid bacteria of the genus Acetomonas. The presence of air may be the determining factor for their development. After 8 months a new increase in yeast cells was noted. These belonged now mainly to the genus Brettano-myces bruxellensis and Br. lambicus. They caused a further slow decrease in residual extract and the appearance of special flavours. Oxidative yeasts of the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, Torulopsis and Pichia were also detected and may be responsible for the formation of a flim on the beer surface after the main fermentation.     

ESTERASE ACTIVITY IN THE GENUS BRETTANOMYCES

During the spontaneous fermentation of Iambic and the production of the typical Belgian beer Gueuze, yeasts of the genus Brettanomyces are always found. They are especially active in the 6 to 12 months fermentation period and during refermentation in the bottle. It was found that Brettanomyces yeasts show esterase activity towards a large number of esters but especially towards esters normally found in Gueuze: ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate, iso-amyl acetate and phenethyl acetate. The esterase activity is expressed by whole cells of all Brettanomyces strains in our collection, but not by Saccharomyces or Kloeckera. The enzyme is partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation. It shows optimal activity at pH 7·6 for the hydrolysis of ethyl acetete and relative good stability at around 2°C. Levels of whole cell esterase activity are dependent on growth medium, aeration rate and temperature. Most interesting is the ester-synthesising activity of this esterase. Its role and influence on the ester fraction of Iambic and Gueuze seem very likely, which may then be considered as the first confirmed function of Brettanomyces during this special fermentation process.