Brewery Analytics "Made in Germany"

• Analysis according to MEBAK and new rapid tests for VDK and bitter units 
• Filter papers for malt analysis, decarbonation and turbidity
• Rapid tests for disinfection and water analysis 
• Hop and pesticide analysis by HPLC and GC 

All information can also be found in our Brewery Analytics flyer

Brewery analysis according to MEBAK

The Central European Brewing Analysis Commission (MEBAK) has defined uniform analysis procedures for all raw materials, auxiliary materials and supplies. With the NANOCOLOR UV/VIS II spectrophotometer, you can easily and reliably analyze all photometrically evaluable parameters, e.g.:

New cuvette tests for vicinal diketones and bitter units

New in our portfolio are the Vicinal Diketones and Bitter Units cuvette tests. With the NANOCOLOR Bitter Units cuvette test, the bitter substances in beer, primarily iso-α-acids, are extracted from a beer sample using isooctane. They are then measured in a 10 mm quartz cuvette in the UV range at 275 nm. Diacetyl can be determined quickly and easily with the NANOCOLOR Vicinale Diketones round cell test. The diketones react with a phenylenediamine derivative to form a quinoxaline derivative. This can be evaluated photometrically at 335 nm. 

For the determination of vicinal diketones according to MEBAK or with the round cell test NANOCOLOR Vicinal Diketones, steam distillation is necessary as sample preparation. We have compiled the test setup and the required materials in a customer information leaflet.

Hop Storage Index (HSI)

The Hop Storage Index (HSI) describes the ratio of two groups of substances that are relevant to hop ageing. In the non-specific, photometric method, the alpha and beta acids are primarily dissolved in toluene. The extract is diluted with alkaline methanol and measured in the photometer at 275 nm and 325 nm. The ratio of both measurements gives the HSI.

The HSI is suitable for evaluating raw hops and non-isomerized hop pellets. In particular, it can be used to assess the storage conditions before and after further processing. Fresh hops generally have an HSI value of less than 0.40. However, the value can vary greatly depending on the hop variety, vintage, growing region, time of harvest and harvesting technique. Both the MEBAK and the ASBC describe this method.

You can find the analysis instructions corresponding to the MEBAK in the method manual for breweries. The method is predefined on the photometer and is available to you free of charge on the UV/VIS2.

Maximum efficiency in laboratory data analysis with TransGraph and MACHEREY-NAGEL

The seamless integration between TransGraph and MACHEREY-NAGEL laboratory analyzers enables a fully automated solution for data acquisition and evaluation directly from the analyzer into the TransGraph LIMS module. This leads to considerable time savings, which can be used for data-based decisions. The direct interface between the NANOCOLOR UV/VIS II from MACHEREY-NAGEL and TransGraph enables the automatic transfer of test results and their real-time analysis. This reduces manual work steps, minimizes potential sources of error and ensures the data integrity of the laboratory samples. The precise and reliable evaluation of laboratory data in TransGraph enables prompt decision-making. The insights gained make it easier to identify trends and potential weaknesses, allowing laboratory processes to be optimized on a solid data basis. The accurate and complete collection of data leads to improved decision quality. The interface to NANOCOLOR UV/VIS II enables automatic logging of all test results directly in TransGraph. This ensures complete and traceable documentation of the analysis data. Further information can be found in our cooperation flyer and on the cooperation landing page.

Filter papers for the brewery laboratory

For over 111 years, MACHEREY-NAGEL has had extensive knowledge in the production of filter papers for analytics with very high quality. Breweries have a wide range of requirements for pleated filters, which is why one paper grade cannot be recommended. Paper grades differ in parameters such as retention capacity, filtration speed and basis weight.

Depending on the application MACHEREY-NAGEL always offers the right filter:

• Grained papers are recommended for rapid decarbonization of beer. (MN 616, MN 514, MN 520)
• Nitrogen-free filter papers are recommended for malt analysis. (MN 614)
• Thicker (MN 616 md) or kieselguhr-coated papers (MN 660), as well as syringe filters, are suitable for clarifying yeast-transparent samples.
• You will always find the right filter with our FilterFinder

Test papers for rapid on-site analysis

QUANTOFIX test strips are suitable for quick on-site checks in production. They are used to check limit values, for example the chlorine dioxide content at the dosing station. The test strips are also suitable for checking residues of disinfectants in rinse water.

Test strips are also suitable for quick and easy control in production for parameters that cannot be distinguished sensorily. For example, sugar-free soft drinks can be reliably distinguished from those containing sugar.

Among others, the following parameters can be examined:

• Chlorine
• Peroxide
• Peracetic acid
• Chlorine dioxide
• Glucose
• Ascorbic acid

Colorimetric test kits for cooling and boiler feed water

VISOCOLOR tests are colorimetric and titrimetric test kits with which even low limit values can be determined accurately. High accuracy and sensitivity are achieved by precisely dosing individual reagents and the possibility of compensating for both turbidity and coloration. To avoid corrosion, the systems for cooling and boiler feed water must always be correctly adjusted. This can be reliably checked with the VISOCOLOR Test Kits.

Interesting parameters:

• Cooling and boiler feed water

Bioanalysis

Yeast

The flavour, aroma and texture of beer are largely determined by the yeast fermentation process. Choosing the right yeast is therefore crucial for the quality of the beer. DNA analyses make it possible to directly control the fermentation process by selecting or cultivating a specific yeast strain, which has a significant impact on the quality of the beer. Our NucleoSpin DNA Yeast Kit and our NucleoMag DNA Bacteria Kit are available for DNA extraction from yeast cultures.

Beer pests

Beer is an unfavourable environment for many microorganisms due to its alcohol content, bitter substances, low pH value and high CO2 content. Nevertheless, there are some specialised organisms that can thrive in beer. Although these are mostly harmless to humans, they can affect the flavour and aroma of the beer. Microorganisms can therefore serve as indicators of deviating parameters in the brewing process, for example if the hop or alcohol content is too low or the pH value is too high. The absence of such microorganisms indicates high beer quality, while their presence can have significant financial implications.

With the NucleoMag DNA/RNA Water Kit you have the possibility to extract DNA directly from your beer or other beverages. This enables the detection of unwanted microorganisms, even in minimal quantities.

Biofilms that form on different surfaces can be analysed with the NucleoMag DNA Microbiome Kit. An alternative method is to cultivate the beer spoilage organisms and then extract the DNA using the NucleoSpin Microbial DNA Kit.

Examination of the sewage

The NANOCOLOR analyzer system can be used to quickly and reliably check the limit values for the discharge of brewery wastewater according to Annex 11 of the German Wastewater Ordinance. Furthermore, the test kits are suitable for operational analysis of the wastewater treatment plant. Among others, MACHEREY-NAGEL has seven round cell tests for ISO-compliant

COD analysis in its portfolio. Our round cell tests for ammonium, nitrate and total nitrogen are also ISO-compliant. The NANOCOLOR analysis system is particularly easy to use and is therefore the first choice for routine analysis, self-monitoring and operational analysis in the brewery. Precisely premeasured reagents in 16 mm round cuvettes and precisely premeasured additional reagents ensure maximum accuracy and precision of the measurement results.

Innovative spectrophotometers

To ensure consistently good quality, various raw materials, products and processes as well as the wastewater must be controlled as part of quality assurance. With the NANOCOLOR VIS II spectrophotometer, MACHEREY-NAGEL offers every brewery the perfect instrument for complete analysis of all stages and products in the brewing process.