Kettle fining, the clarification of the wort at boiling Beyond the important commercial aspect of a beer’s visual appearance, the stakes for brewers are the duration and efficiency of the fermentation and clarification process. Beyond the important commercial aspect of a beer’s visual appearance, the stakes for brewers are the duration and efficiency of the fermentation and clarification process. In an increasingly competitive world, with ever-rising production costs, breweries can’t afford not to think about their brewing processes. Contrary to what the English name for the boiling clarification process, “kettle fining”, might suggest, the main benefits of this practice lie in the ability to clarify more effectively during fermentation. This method shortens fermentation and storage times by several days. We’re going to review the use of carrageenans, also known as “kettle fining” or “cooper fining”, in the brewing process. Composition of undesirable particles in brewing wort Beer clarity is compromised by yeast cells and non-microbiological particles (NMP). Yeasts are mainly eliminated by their natural flocculation during fermentation, or later in the process of clarification, centrifugation or filtration, which we’ll cover in another article. The main problem is caused by PNMs: proteins, often associated with polyphenols and other molecules such as lipids, carbohydrates and/or metal ions. Advantages of using kettle finings A word about Stokes’ law Particles settle naturally under the influence of gravity, as described by Stokes’ law, and as you’ve probably already observed. According to this law, the sedimentation rate of a spherical particle is directly proportional to the difference in density between the particle and the liquid medium, to the acceleration due to gravity (hence the usefulness of the centrifuge), and to the square of the particle radius, and inversely proportional to the viscosity of the liquid. So, if the wort or beer is left to rest long enough, it will clarify itself; this is the basis of the lagering process. Here is the formula of this law in the context of brewing: The aim of using “kettle finings” is therefore to increase the particle size (r = radius of the sphere), which is multiplied by the square, massively increasing the speed of sedimentation. Origin and control of particles in the brewing process Non-microbiological particles (NMP) are produced and eliminated at five stages of the brewing process. Understanding how these steps affect particle formation and removal enables the brewer to control the process better to achieve an optimal and consistent level of particles in the beer, leading to a more efficient and consistent clarification process, whether the final product is keg, can or bottle. It is generally accepted that it is best to remove particles at as many stages of the brewing process as possible. This results in a more efficient and consistent process. For unfiltered beer, this practice results in a clearer beer than if all the clarification were left to the post-fermentation stage. For filtered beer, this means less use of consumables, and fewer post-filtration problems. Origin of “kettle fining” aka must clarification agents Must clarifiers have been used for many years, with raw materials mainly derived from red seaweed, generally of the Chondrus crispus genus. Until the 1960s, Irish Moss was the main material used, and is still used today in a small number of breweries. In the 1960s, developments refined the source of seaweed, and clarifying agents as we know them were produced. Initially, these materials were rather limited in their refinements, but showed a significant performance advantage over raw Irish Moss. In the 1980s, a major breakthrough was achieved with pure, refined carrageenans. These materials are totally water-soluble and highly active. The new, and still current, phase of clarifying agents is the use of granular materials from a different algae source. The new materials are semi-refined algae of the Eucheuma genus. These are the products we offer under the Protafloc brand from Murphy & Sons. Action of Protafloc, our must clarification agent Protafloc contains large, negatively-charged polysaccharides called kappa-carrageenans, which bind to the positively-charged proteins in the cold break as it forms. The resulting particles are relatively larger and settle, falling more rapidly to the bottom of the fermenter. The addition is simple and easy, carried out ten minutes before the end of boiling. Factors influencing the performance of must clarifiers Several factors have been identified as influencing the performance of must clarifiers: arity while minimizing sediment volume. Too high or too low a dosage will be less effective, or even have a negative effect. We can help you determine the optimum dosage. These factors show the importance of understanding and controlling brewing conditions to optimize the effectiveness of clarifying agents and ensure the quality of the final product. We will be happy to provide you with any information you may require on kettle finings and their use. Don’t hesitate to contact us. We offer Swiss professional breweries the resources and expertise they need to improve their brewing processes. Contact us, no obligation Ref1: Effects of Wort Clarifying by using Carrageenan on Diatomaceous Earth Dosage for Beer Filtration by Aleksander Poreda, Marek Zdaniewicz, Monika Sterczyńska, Marek Jakubowski and Czesław Puchalski.
Understanding Your Brewing Liquor: Water Testing Services Achieving the best quality beers and exploring different beer styles relies heavily on the treatment of your water. Water plays a vital role as the primary raw material in brewing. Just as a solid foundation is crucial for building a sturdy house, creating an appropriate water profile is essential for crafting exceptional beers. Brewers have long recognized this, which is why water transforms into liquor when tailored specifically for brewing. To embark on this journey, understanding the composition of your water is imperative. At GoodBeer Solutions, we offer a complimentary water analysis service to help you identify and optimize your brewing liquor. Additionally, our expert team provides guidance on efficient treatment methods. Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your brewing process and create even better beers. Complimentary Water Analysis: To accurately assess your brewing water, we offer a free water analysis service. The analysis includes the following parameters: 1. Calcium (in parts per million – PPM): Calcium content affects various aspects of beer brewing, including enzyme activity, yeast health, and pH balance. 2. Magnesium (in PPM): Magnesium plays a crucial role in yeast metabolism and contributes to the overall flavor profile of your beer. 3. Chloride (in PPM): Chloride levels influence the perceived fullness and sweetness of the beer, enhancing its mouthfeel and flavor. 4. Sulphate (in PPM): Sulphate concentration impacts the perceived bitterness and dryness of the beer, contributing to its overall character. 5. Alkalinity (as CaCO3): Alkalinity levels determine the water’s ability to resist changes in pH during the brewing process. This parameter is vital for achieving desirable mash pH and enzyme activity. For further information on how to perform a comprehensive water test, please contact us at info@goodbeer.solutions . We are always delighted to assist you in creating even better beers. Do not hesitate to reach out to our team for any inquiries or guidance. Understanding and optimizing your brewing liquor is fundamental to producing outstanding beers. Our water testing service at GoodBeer Solutions offers a complimentary analysis of key water parameters, enabling you to gain insights into the composition of your brewing water. With this knowledge, you can take informed steps to treat your water efficiently, ensuring the best possible foundation for your brewing process. Contact us today to elevate your brewing journey and create exceptional beers. We are here to support you every step of the way.
Water, water everywhere, the definitive guide to brewing water This article comes from our partner Murphy & Sons, please find the original content here: https://www.murphyandson.co.uk/resources/technical-articles/water-water-everywhere/. You can find the products you need in order to optimise your brewing liquor and you wort here: https://goodbeer.solutions/product-category/brewing-aid/ Beer contains approximately 90% water, and the importance of the liquor to final beer quality cannot be over-estimated.Historically a correlation was observed between the liquor composition of an area and the type of beer that the region could best brew. The Pale Ales of Burton-on-Trent and Edinburgh, Porters of London, Stouts of Dublin and Lagers of Pilsen are classic examples. Water falling as rain, hail, sleet or snow is pure, but dissolves gasses such as oxygen and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. On reaching the ground the water runs off into rivers, streams and lakes and on in some cases to reservoirs. The composition of the water in the reservoirs is dependent upon the nature of the catchment area. In areas where the rocks are hard, the water will not penetrate deeply, and will be ‘soft’ – that is low in dissolved salts. In areas where the rocks are more permeable – gypsum or limestone for example – water will penetrate readily and dissolve many minerals on its way to the reservoirs to become ‘hard’. The water supplied by local Water Authorities is required to be potable – that is fit to drink and free from pathogenic organisms. In order to reduce microbiological counts chlorine will usually be added, but the water is not sterile. Fortunately however the micro organisms found in water are not beer spoilage organisms, being unable to survive the conditions of high ethanol and hop resin levels and low pH found in beers. So the objective of liquor treatment is to convert the water sent to us by the Water Authorities into acceptable brewing liquor. This we achieve by the removal of unwanted ions and addition of required levels of desirable ions Ion Soft Hard Calcium 10 240 Magnesium 2 50 Bicarbonate 15 250 Sulphate 5 500 Nitrate 5 40 Chloride 5 50 Calcium Of the ions required for brewing, calcium is by far the most important. This is because of the acidifying effect that calcium has on the wort. Wort contains large amounts of phosphates derived from the malt, and these have a buffering effect – that is they tend to mop up hydrogen ions and keep the pH higher than desired. Calcium ions precipitate phosphates as insoluble calcium phosphate and release hydrogen ions into the wort. It is worth mentioning at this point that whilst the pH of the wort is critical, that of the water in the Hot Liquor Tank (HLT) is not. The pH of water may vary from about pH 5 to pH 8 dependent upon the levels of dissolved carbon dioxide – even de-ionised water can have pH levels as low as 5 after exposure to the air. However, the carbon dioxide is driven off by heat in the HLT and the pH of the water will rise. A combination of the presence of calcium ions and the decrease in pH has a number of effects on the brewing process: the lower pH improves enzyme activity and thus wort fermentability and extract. The optimum pH for ß-amylase activity is about 4·7. Wort produced from liquor containing no calcium has a pH in the order of 5·8 – 6·0, compared to values in the range of 5·3 – 5·5 for worts produced from treated brewing liquor. The activity of the ß-amylase then is greatly enhanced by the addition of calcium, this exo enzyme increasing the production of maltose from Amylose, and thus making worts more fermentable. Calcium has an almost ‘chicken and egg’ effect in the precipitation of wort proteins, both during mashing and during the boil. Bicarbonate (Alkalinity) This ion needs to be very closely controlled in order to achieve good beer. High levels of bicarbonate cause high pH values throughout the brewing process according to the equation:It should be noted that bicarbonate ions are rather more effective at raising wort pH than calcium ions are at reducing it.The conversion of bicarbonate to carbonic acid is reversible until heat is applied, which drives off the carbon dioxide. This effectively removes the acidic hydrogen ion from the system by using it to form a stable water molecule. The wort pH therefore remains high and all the advantages derived from the presence of adequate calcium levels and reduced pH are lost. We therefore see the following: The net result of this is then to decrease beer stability and shelf life and to increase the likelihood of troublesome hazes. Colour will be darker, and flavour will be detrimentally affected. It is then also essential to ensure removal of excess bicarbonate. As shown in the table at the top of this article, hard water may contain 250 mgs/l of bicarbonate. However, the maximum level that can be tolerated without adverse effect for the production of pale ales is 50 mgs/l and the preferred level would be about 25 mgs/l. It should also be noted that whilst additions of calcium may be made to HLT, grist and copper, the removal of bicarbonate must be achieved in the Hot Liquor Tank. This may be done in a number of ways: Deionsiation: Very effective, but high capital and revenue costs. Lime treatment: Addition of carefully controlled amounts of lime (calcium hydroxide) to the HLT will precipitate the bicarbonate as calcium carbonate. There are 2 major drawbacks:1. The amount added needs to be exactly calculated and over addition may result in an overall increase in alkalinity.2. The precipitated calcium carbonate can form a sludge on the bottom of the HLT that will need periodic cleaning. Boiling: This again is a traditional method of removal of bicarbonate (Temporary Hardness) but again has 2 drawbacks:1. Very expensive.2. Only effective where the alkalinity is present as bicarbonate. If the levels of sodium, potassium or magnesium carbonates or hydroxides present are significant boiling will not be effective. Acid Treatment: Now the most widely used method, for a number of reasons:1. Relatively inexpensive.2. Easy to use and does not produce sludge in the HLT3. May add desirable anions – sulphate or chloride.4. Can use phosphoric or lactic acids if no anions are wanted – eg for lager beers. It is essential to rouse the liquor when acid treating in order to encourage the removal of the carbon dioxide. This can have corrosive effects on the materials of construction of HLT’s if left in solution. Magnesium: Is an essential element of brewing liquor because it is required by yeast as a co-factor for the production of certain enzymes required for the fermentation process. It is invariable formulated into liquor treatments at relatively low levels. However caution must be exercised for 3 reasons:1. Excess magnesium can interfere with the reactions of calcium because its phosphates are more soluble2. Above about 20 mgs/l magnesium can give beer a sour and bitter taste3. In excess magnesium has a laxative effect Sodium: Is present in all beers. Excessive levels are undesirable as it imparts a sour and salty taste at high concentrations. The flavour is more acceptable when the sodium is present as chloride than as sulphate. Potassium: Is, like magnesium, a yeast co-factor and is required at trace levels for satisfactory fermentations. It is more acceptable than sodium from a flavour point of view, giving a salty taste without the sour notes. It is also gaining some favour as Doctors warn of the effects of high sodium intake on blood pressure. However potassium salts are very much more expensive than the sodium equivalents, and in excess potassium has laxative effects on the beer. Sulphate and Chloride: It is convenient to discuss the effect of these two ions together. Much is made in brewing literature of the impact of these ions on beer flavour characteristics – sulphate gives beer a drier, more bitter flavour, whilst chloride imparts palate fullness and to an extent sweetness. However what must be noted is that it is the ratio of the concentrations of these two ions that is significant, rather than simply the actual concentrations. A ratio of about 2:1 sulphate to chloride is about right for a bitter beer, and it makes little difference if the actual values are 500:250 or 350:175 mgs/l. As will be seen in Figure 3 ratios of 1:2 sulphate:chloride are recommended for mild ales, whilst a ratio of 1:3 may give best results for stouts or porters. Sulphate and Chloride, it is convenient to discuss the effect of these two ions together. Much is made in brewing literature of the impact of these ions on beer flavour characteristics – sulphate gives beer a drier, more bitter flavour, whilst chloride imparts palate fullness and to an extent sweetness. However what must be noted is that it is the ratio of the concentrations of these two ions that is significant, rather than simply the actual concentrations. A ratio of about 2:1 sulphate to chloride is about right for a bitter beer, and it makes little difference if the actual values are 500:250 or 350:175 mgs/l. As will be seen in Figure 3 ratios of 1:2 sulphate:chloride are recommended for mild ales, whilst a ratio of 1:3 may give best results for stouts or porters. Sulphur is essential for the fermentation process, since the yeast needs to manufacture the two sulphur containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Some yeast strains will use sulphur from sulphate ions for this purpose and will then excrete any excess as sulphite ions. These can then be reduced to form hydrogen sulphide or sulphur dioxide. Both of these materials have characteristic pungent odours and even at low levels can give unacceptable sulphury noses to the beer. Bacteria also have the ability to produce a wide variety of sulphury off flavours, including rubber, garlic and cooked vegetable. Nitrate: Levels of Nitrate are beginning to drop generally due to greater control of the use of nitrogenous fertilisers. Nitrates themselves are not a problem at levels below 50 mgs/l, however they can be reduced by yeast or bacteria to form Nitrites. These ions can then react with wort amines to form Nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Trace Ions: Chlorine Chlorine is used for sterilisation and may be at relatively high levels at certain times of the year. This can cause problems since chlorine is a very reactive chemical and will readily react with organics to form chlorophenols. These have a medicinal (T.C.P.) flavour which is in some cases detectable at levels below 1 ppb. Chlorine will be lost to some degree by the heat in the Hot Liquor Tank, but not all water used within the brewery is from that source. Some brewers may use untreated liquor to break down to gravity in fermenter, and rinsing following caustic or acid cleaning cycles will typically be with untreated mains liquor. One solution is to treat both Hot and Cold Liquor Tanks with 10 ppm of Salicon Liquid 169 (20 mls in 10 brls liquor) and rouse vigorously to remove the chlorine. The sulphur dioxide reacts with chlorine in the manner described below – reducing reactive, undesirable and potentially harmful chlorine ions to chlorides. Typical Liquor Analyses for Beer Types: Bitter Mild Porter Lager Calcium 170 100 100 50 Magnesium 15 10 10 2 Bicarbonate 25 50 100 25 Chloride 200 200 300 10 Sulphate 400 150 100 10 Nitrate – As low as possibleMetals – Zn, Cu, Fe,Mn Less than 1 ppm All figures are in ppm (mgs/ltr) Protein-H + Ca2+ Protein-Ca + 2H+ The hydrogen ions released further reduce the pH which encourages further precipitation of proteins. Proteins are also degraded, that is converted to simpler substances by proteolytic enzymes called proteases. These are found in the malt, and have optimum activity at pH values of about 4·5 – 5·0. The reduction in pH then caused by the presence of calcium encourages proteolysis, further reducing protein levels and increasing wort Free Amino Nitrogen levels (FAN). FAN compounds are utilised by the yeast during fermentation for the manufacture of Amino acids, and an increase in FAN levels in the wort improves the health and vigour of the yeast. High protein levels in beers also have negative effects, making beer more difficult to fine and encouraging formation of hazes, in particular chill hazes. Product shelf life can also be adversely affected. Calcium ions protect the enzyme a-amylase from inhibition by heat. a-amylase is an endo enzyme, cleaving the internal 1,4 glucosidic links of amylopectin resulting in a rapid reduction in wort viscosity. The optimum temperature range for a-amylase is 65 – 68°C., however the enzyme is rapidly destroyed at these temperatures. Calcium stabilises a-amylase to 70 – 75°C. It can be seen then that the presence of calcium has positive effects on the activity of both a-amylase and ß-amylase, two of the most important enzymes in the brewing process. The extraction of such materials is encouraged by alkaline sparge liquor. These materials are very undesirable, contributing to harsh flavours, hazes in the finished beer and decreased beer stability. Calcium precipitates oxalates as insoluble calcium oxalate. This again occurs in both the mash tun and the copper. Oxalates cause hazes in finished beers and also contribute to the formation of beerstone in FV’s, CT’s and casks. Oxalates are also thought to promote gushing in certain beers, although this is not generally a problem to the micro brewer. The presence of calcium reduces colour formation in the copper. This is due to the reduction of extraction of colour forming compounds such as anthocyanogens and pro-anthocyanidins during the sparge. The reaction: Reducing Sugar + Heat Melanoidins is also inhibited. Calcium ions improve beer fining performance. Calcium ions encourage yeast flocculation – being a divalent Cation it has a natural affinity for negatively charged yeast cells. With all the above advantages of the presence of calcium and reduction in pH there is one minor disadvantage: the reduction in pH causes a decrease in hop utilisation, giving less bitter beers. This increases hopping costs, since more hops will be required to achieve a desired level of bitterness. However the optimum pH for hop isomerisation as used in the commercial production of isomerised hop extracts is about pH 10, so a reduction from pH 5·8 in a mash with untreated liquor to pH 5·1 out of copper for a treated brew is not too critical. You will see that much of the calcium added to the mash is lost – precipitated out as phosphate, proteinate or oxalate. Since calcium is specifically required in the copper for further precipitation of these materials it is common to add calcium to the grist or Hot Liquor Tank and to then make a second addition to the copper. Where this is not practical it is quite acceptable to make a larger addition to the grist or to the H.L.T.
