Effect of Coriander Seed Addition at Different Stages of Brewing on Selected Parameters of Low-Alcohol Wheat Beers

In recent years, there has been a significant decline in interest in high-alcohol beers, while interest in low- and non-alcohol beers is growing. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the addition of coriander seeds at various stages of the production of low-alcohol wheat beer (mashing, boiling, and fermentation). The presented article uses biological methods to produce low-alcohol beer. For this purpose, first, the mashing process was modified (breaking 44 °C for 20 min, followed by 75 °C for 60 min). The chemical composition and aroma components of the obtained beers were determined using various chromatographic methods (HPLC, GC-MS, and GC-O). Differences were found between the aroma components depending on the stage of production at which the coriander seeds were added. Beers with the addition of coriander seeds at the fermentation stage had the highest terpene content (linalool, camphor, trans-linalool oxide, and γ-terpinene) and boiling (myrcene, limonene, citronellol, and geraniol). The least desirable process is the addition of coriander seeds at the mashing stage due to the lowest content of volatile compounds. Additionally, beers with the addition of coriander seeds for fermentation were characterized by a higher content of antioxidant compounds. This proves that the addition of coriander seeds during beer production could improve the fermentation process and modify the quality of the obtaining beer.

Development and Characterization of Probiotic Beers with Saccharomyces boulardii as an Alternative to Conventional Brewer's Yeast

The development of new non-dairy probiotic foods is interesting, given lactose intolerance, milk allergies, and the growing trend of vegetarianism. In this paper, beer has been used as a probiotic delivery matrix, using Saccharomyces boulardii as an alternative to conventional brewer's yeast. The strain was able to grow in worts prepared with hops containing different alpha-acid concentrations, attaining in all cases a final cell concentration above 1·108 cells mL-1. Some differences were found in the physicochemical parameters of beers brewed with S. boulardii compared to those brewed with a standard brewer's yeast. Probiotic beers turned out to be less cloudy, which could help with a possible filtering step; less alcoholic in some cases; a healthier alternative; and with a slightly lower pH, interesting for the reduction of spoilage risk. Thirty volatile compounds were determined in the samples, and, in general, the beers brewed with the probiotic yeast presented significantly higher concentrations for the majority of the studied volatile compounds. In addition, multivariate statistical analysis was successfully performed to differentiate the beers obtained in terms of their volatile composition. Probiotic and standard beers were also subjected to sensory analysis, and they presented similar results in their overall impression.

Effect of the Addition of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) on the Quality and Microbiological Stability of Craft Wheat Beers

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a valuable source of vitamins, macro- and microelements, and essential oils. The purpose of this study was to compare the physicochemical properties, sensory properties, antioxidant activity, and microbiological stability of wheat beers enriched with varying additions of crushed lemongrass. Sensory evaluation showed that wheat beers enriched with 2.5% m/v lemongrass were characterised by balanced taste and aroma (overall impression). Physicochemical analysis of the wheat beers showed that increasing the concentration of lemongrass in the finished product negatively affected the ethanol content. Alcohol content in wheat beer enriched with 1% m/v lemongrass was on average 14.74% higher than wheat beer enriched with 2.5% m/v lemongrass and on average 17.93% higher than wheat beer enriched with 5% m/v addition of lemongrass. The concentration of lemongrass in the finished product also increased the acidity of the beers and affected the colour of the wheat beers compared to the control beer. The total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of lemongrass-enriched wheat beers varied. Of the lemongrass-enriched beers analysed, the beer product with 5% m/v lemongrass was the most microbiologically stable. According to the study, crushed lemongrass-enriched wheat beer may represent a new trend in the brewing industry, but the brewing process still needs to be improved.

Effect of Hop Varieties and Forms in the Hopping Process on Non-Alcoholic Beer Quality

The aim of this study was to determine how the hopping technique affects the quality of non-alcoholic beer (NAB). A series of NABs were brewed and tested for basic physicochemical characteristics, profiles of selected volatile compounds, and microbial contamination. The brewing process yielded 13 experimental groups of beers, all of which had an ethanol content of <0.5%v/v. Among the batches brewed with ‘Marynka’ hops, the pellet form was found to provide the highest concentrations of hop-derived volatile compounds, whereas in the ‘Magnum’ groups, the extracts and whole hops proved superior. Humulene and caryophyllene were the primary volatiles in terms of quantity. All the brews were contamination-free—no microbes other than yeast cells were detected. Their microbiological purity was also supported by an assay of beer-defect indicators (volatile compounds), which only showed low levels of acetaldehyde, 1-propanol, 2-methylbutanol, and 3-methylbutanol. The hopping technique deployed was found not to affect the physicochemical parameters of NABs, but did have a significant impact on their volatile compound profile.

Physicochemical, Electronic Nose and Tongue, Sensory Evaluation Determination Combined with Chemometrics to Characterize Ficus hirta Vahl. (Moraceae) Beer

Ficus hirta Vahl. (FHV) is widely consumed because of its functional and aromatic compounds. The incorporation of adjuncts contributes to the functional and flavor properties of beers. This study aims to enrich FHV extractions to develop beers with satisfactory physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics. As a result, beers with 0.1 g/mL (P1) and 0.067 g/mL (P3) FHV extraction showed the highest values of physicochemical properties including °Brix, antioxidant activity, foam, lightness, and color intensity. Electronic nose and tongue results show that the aroma of P1 and taste of P3 were quite different from those of other FHV beers, resulting in substantially high consumer preference. The liking drivers of FHV beers were color appearance, hop and malty odor, sweet and malty flavor, thickness, and carbonation mouthfeel. However, the astringency flavor attribute was the disliking factor for beers. The results of this study may provide some references and guidelines for the development of Ficus hirta Vahl. functional beer to control the physicochemical, antioxidative, and sensory properties of the beer.

Buckwheat and Amaranth as Raw Materials for Brewing, a Review

Globally, beer is considered the most-consumed low-alcohol beverage, it ranks third, after water and tea, in the top sales of these drinks. New types of beer are the result of the influence of several factors, including innovations in science and technology, changing requirements for food consumption of the population, competition between producers, promotion of food for health, flavor, and quality, the limited nature of traditional food resource raw materials, and the interest of producers in reducing production costs. Manufacturers are looking for new solutions for obtaining products that meet the requirements of consumers, authentic products of superior quality, with distinctive taste and aroma. This review proposes the use of two pseudocereals as raw materials in the manufacture of beer: buckwheat and amaranth, focusing on the characteristics that recommend them in this regard. Due to their functional and nutraceutical properties, these pseudocereals can improve the quality of beer-a finished product. Additionally, all types of beer obtained from these pseudocereals are recommended for diets with particular nutritional requirements, especially gluten-free diets. Researchers and producers will continue to improve and optimize the sensory and technological properties of the new types of beer obtained from these pseudocereals.

Recent innovations in the production of selected specialty (non-traditional) beers

Customer demand for product diversity is the key driving force for innovations in the brewing industry. Specialty beers are regarded as a distinct group of beers different from two major types, lagers and ales, without established definitions or boundaries. Specialty beers, including low- to no-alcohol beer, low carbohydrate beer, gluten-free beer, sour beer, probiotic beer, and enriched beer, are exclusively brewed and developed keeping in mind their functionality, the health and wellbeing of the consumer, and emerging market trends. Compared with conventional beer-brewing, the production of specialty beers is technologically challenging and usually requires additional process steps, unique microorganisms, and special equipment, which in turn may incur additional costs. In addition, the maintenance of quality and stability of the products as well as consumer acceptability of the products are major challenges to successful commercialization. A harmonious integration of traditional brewing practices and modern technological approaches may hold potential for future developments. In the present review, latest developments in the fermentative production of selected specialty beers are discussed.

Maize and Sorghum as Raw Materials for Brewing, a Review

Brewing is among the oldest biotechnological processes, in which barley malt and—to a lesser extent—wheat malt are used as conventional raw materials. Worldwide, 85–90% of beer production is now produced with adjuvants, with wide variations on different continents. This review proposes the use of two other cereals as raw materials in the manufacture of beer, corn and sorghum, highlighting the advantages it recommends in this regard and the disadvantages, so that they are removed in technological practice. The use of these cereals as adjuvants in brewing has been known for a long time. Recently, research has intensified regarding the use of these cereals (including in the malted form) to obtain new assortments of beer from 100% corn malt or 100% sorghum malt. There is also great interest in obtaining gluten-free beer assortments, new nonalcoholic or low-alcohol beer assortments, and beers with an increased shelf life, by complying with current food safety regulations, under which maize and sorghum can be used in manufacturing recipes.

Functionality of Special Beer Processes and Potential Health Benefits

Consumers’ demand for functional fermented food that can fulfill nutritional needs and help maintain a balanced diet while also having a positive impact on one’s health status is increasing all over the world. Thus, healthy choices could include beverages with nutrients and bioactive compounds which can be used as an effective disease-prevention strategy. Regular beer has certain health benefits which inspire further research with the prospect of obtaining special functional beers with little or no alcohol content. As observed, the special beer market remains highly dynamic and is predicted to expand even further. Therefore, brewers need to keep up with the consumers’ interests and needs while designing special beers, namely nonalcoholic beers (NABs), low-alcohol beers (LABs), and craft beers (CBs). Thus, understanding the potential uses of bioactive compounds in special beer, the wide range of therapeutic effects, and the possible mechanisms of action is essential for developing healthier beverages. This review aimed to evaluate the nutritional features of special beers, and their proven or potential beneficial actions on one’s health status and in preventing certain diseases.

Non-Alcoholic and Craft Beer Production and Challenges

Beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world and the third most popular beverage after water and tea. Emerging health-oriented lifestyle trends, demographics, stricter legislation, religious prohibitions, and consumers’ preferences have led to a strong and steady growth of interest for non-alcoholic beers (NABs), low-alcohol beers (LABs), as well for craft beers (CBs). Conventional beer, as the worlds most consumed alcoholic beverage, recently gained more recognition also due to its potential functionality associated with the high content of phenolic antioxidants and low ethanol content. The increasing attention of consumers to health-issues linked to alcohol abuse urges breweries to expand the assortment of conventional beers through novel drinks concepts. The production of these beers employs several techniques that vary in performance, efficiency, and usability. Involved production technologies have been reviewed and evaluated in this paper in terms of efficiency and production costs, given the possibility that craft brewers might want to adapt them and finally introduce novel non-alcoholic drinks in the market.