Growing consumer interest in new beer flavors is contributing to the application of innovative materials and non-Saccharomyces yeast in brewing. The goal of this study was to test the impact of the low lactic acid-producing Lachancea thermotolerans MN477031 strain on the process of fermenting beer wort, with two different concentrations of bitter compounds, and on the quality of the beer produced. Qualify factors were broadly analyzed, including ethanol content, apparent degree of fermentation, sugars, organic acids, free amino nitrogen, glycerol, volatile compounds, ions and so on. It was proven that the L. thermotolerans MN477031 strain demonstrated a high capacity for rapid initiation of wort fermentation, and a tolerance to hop-derived compounds. As a result, the alcohol content in beer from this method of production was approximately 20% lower, while the content of the real extract was significantly higher in comparison to commercial Safbrew T-58. This strain stands out from many strains of L. thermotolerans due to the low lactic acid production and only marginal influence on pH decrease compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Therefore, the potential of MN477031 in the production of different types of beer (not only sour) is very high. The composition of volatile compounds in L. thermotolerans beer differs—not only in terms of the use of the strain, but also in hop variety.

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

New ways of managing hop sediments from brewing and fermentation of beer are constantly being sought and the existing ones improved as part of the circular economy. These wastes are not generated in large amounts, but the absence of their proper characteristics may lead to further processing errors. The study analyses the composting of hop waste under laboratory conditions and the effects of the biological activity of composts introduced into the soil. The study was carried out on two-hop sediments from two different technological stages of beer production: hot trub (HT) and spent hops (SH). Chemical, microbiological and biochemical analyses, as well as the assessment of phytotoxicity to Lepidium sativum L., were performed in the materials. The results proved that, due to their formation technology, the tested feedstocks are safe from an epidemiological point of view and are not a source of microbial contamination. Inhibitory properties for plant development were found for HT and it most likely results from the organic compound content. The mineral composition of hot trub does not exclude composting if its share in biomass is low. Spent hops (SH) were characterised by a significant total nitrogen content, which affected the composting process. Composting this sediment required the selection of substrates with a wide C:N ratio. The number of microorganisms inhabiting the analysed material was very diverse and varied depending on the type of sediments. The sample that contained the composted SH from dry hopping had a much larger number of microorganisms than the sample with HT from wet hopping.

A relatively high concentration of phytate in buckwheat malt, and the low activity of endogenous buckwheat phytases, both of which limit the effective use of substrates (starch, proteins, minerals) for fermentation and yeast metabolism, gives rise to the potential for application of phytases in beer production. This study aims at obtaining a 100% buckwheat wort with high bioactive cyclitols (myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol) concentrations released by exogenous phytases and acid phosphatases. Two mashing programs were used in the study, i.e., (1) typical for basic raw materials, namely the well-established Congress method, and (2) optimized for phytase activity. The results indicated a nearly 50% increase in the level of bioactive myo-inositol and an 80% degradation of phytate in the wort as a result of simultaneous application of phytase and phosphatase enzymes in the mashing of buckwheat malt. In addition, high D-chiro-inositol concentrations were released from malt to the buckwheat wort. The concerted action of the two phytases significantly increased (19–44%) Zn²⁺ concentrations in wort. This may be of great importance during mash fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts. There is a potential to develop technology for buckwheat beer production, which, in addition to being free from gluten, comprises high levels of bioactive myo- and D-chiro-inositols.

The ionic composition of brewer's wort depends on the raw materials and processing employed. The macroelement content is usually sufficient for yeast, but some of the microelements (mainly zinc) often need to be supplemented to the wort. Wheat malt is used as an adjunct in the production of beer, replacing up to 60% of barley malt. In this study, the effect of replacing barley malt with wheat malt on the concentration of magnesium, manganese, iron and zinc ions in brewer's wort was investigated. The ionic content of both the raw materials and by-products were analysed. Similar amounts of magnesium ions were found in wheat malt and barley malt, whereas, manganese, zinc and iron were more abundant in the wheat malt. Nevertheless, wheat malt did not cause a significant change in ion concentration in the first wort (except for magnesium; its content decreased). The ionic content in the spent grains increased owing to wheat malt addition; the concentration of ions in the wort decreased after wort boiling (Mn²⁺ and Fe) or remained unaffected (Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺). It was concluded that the ionic composition of the wort depends mainly on the removal rate of ions from the wort during mash filtration and hot trub separation, rather than on the actual amount of ions in the raw materials. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling