Investigation of Fermentation Regimes for the Production of Low-alcohol and Non-alcohol Beers

The combination of modified mashing method and arrested fermentation for the production of low-alcohol and non-alcohol beers was studied. Therefore, five regimes for fermentation of wort with reduced fermentable sugar content with top-fermenting yeast strain at low temperatures and pitching rates were investigated. According to the fermentation dynamic results the decrease in the fermentation temperature from 10 °C to 5 °C at pitching rate of 109 Colony Forming Units cm−3 ( CFU cm−3 ) led to significantly reduced concentrations of ethanol and secondary metabolites in beer. The temperature decrease from 10 °C to 7 °C at pitching rate of 107 CFU cm−3 resulted in a decrease in the alcohol concentration and increase in all the secondary metabolite concentrations except for the vicinal diketones concentration. Data show that yeast biomass does not grow at 5 °C and at inoculum concentration of 107 CFU cm−3, which makes fermentation impossible. Fermentation kinetics using Monod's model supplemented with product inhibition was also investigated. Up to 1.7 % of alcohol accumulates in the beer in some of the variants within 7 days. At low fermentation temperatures, yeast biomass utilizes part of the substrate to maintain its vital activity under stress fermentation conditions, which leads to a reduction in the amount of alcohol synthesized. The synthesis and reduction of the secondary metabolites was delayed compared to conventional beer fermentation. The sensory evaluation of the beers produced showed that the most appealing beer was the one produced at 10 °C and pitching rate of 109 CFU cm−3.

Control of selected fermentation indices by statistically designed experiments in industrial scale beer fermentation

Fermentation indices of a bottom-fermented lager brew from high gravity wort (15.5 °P) were analysed using the response surface methodology (RSM, Box-Behnken design). Fermentation parameters like pitching rates (6–10 mln cells mL^–1), wort aeration (8–12 mg O2 mL^–1), different times (4.5–13.5 h) of filling CCTs (cylindroconical fermentation tanks; 3 850 hL) and fermentation temperatures (8.5–11.5 °C) were modulated to assess their impact on the fermentation indices. Within the studied ranges of fermentation parameters the experimental factors had a significant influence (R² for the model 73%) on alcohol content, pH (83%), extract drop (86%), FAN consumption (70%), bitterness loss (73%) and sensory analysis (71%). Based on the multiple response optimisation analysis, the values of independent factors that optimised alcohol content at the level of 6.94% (v/v), extract drop at 1.77 °P per day with maximization of FAN consumption (ca. 128 mg L^–1) and pH drop to the level of 4.69 with minimized bitter substances losses (6.2 BU) were as follows: pitching rate 6 mln cells mL^–1; fermentation temperature 11.2 °C; aeration level 10.5 mg L^–1; and CCTs filling time 13.5 h.

Screening and Application of Cyberlindnera Yeasts to Produce a Fruity, Non-Alcoholic Beer

Non-alcoholic beer (NAB) is enjoying growing demand and popularity due to consumer lifestyle trends and improved production methods. In recent years in particular, research into the application of non-Saccharomyces yeasts to produce NAB via limited fermentation has gained momentum. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts are known to produce fruity aromas, owing to a high ester production. This trait could be harnessed to mask the often-criticized wort-like off-flavor of NAB produced via limited fermentation. Six Cyberlindnera strains were characterized and screened in wort extract. Four of the six strains produced a pleasant, fruity aroma while exhibiting low ethanol production. The strain Cyberlindnera subsufficiens C6.1 was chosen for fermentation optimization via response surface methodology (RSM) and a pilot-scale (60 L) brewing trial with subsequent sensory evaluation. A low fermentation temperature and low pitching rate enhanced the fruitiness and overall acceptance of the NAB. The NAB (0.36% ABV) produced on pilot-scale was significantly more fruity and exhibited a significantly reduced wort-like off-flavor compared to two commercial NABs. This study demonstrated the suitability of Cyberlindnera subsufficiens to produce a fruity NAB, which can compete with commercial NABs. The outcome strengthens the position of non-Saccharomyces yeasts as a serious and applicable alternative to established methods in NAB brewing.

EFFECTS OF HIGH PITCHING RATE AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTION ON YEAST FERMENTATION PERFORMANCE IN VERY HIGH GRAVITY BREWING

In this study, the 30oBx wort with 30% maltose syrup adjunct was used for very high gravity brewing. Increase in pitching rate from 25×106 cells/mL to 125×106 cells/mL shortened the primary fermentation time and augmented the level of ethanol and diacetyl in the green beer. The suitable pitching rate was 75×106 cells/mL. Under this condition, the fermentation time reduced 44.2% and the ethanol concentration in the green beer increased 13.7% in comparison with those in the culture with conventional pitching rate; the ethanol yield achieved maximum of 44.1%. Combination of high pitching rate and nutritional supplementation to 30oBx wort reduced the fermentation time 8.7% and maintained the similar ethanol content in the green beer and the similar ethanol yield in comparison with the high pitching rate culture.