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Fermentation/Maturation
Brewer holding up a glass of beer (Elevate on Unsplash)

Enzymatic sugar analysis | Accurate determination of the end of fermentation is a crucial step in controlling the brewing process. One of the main issues here is accurately assessing when fermentation ends. The secondary fermentation phase, with precise adjustment of the carbonation in the final fermented beer, must also be closely monitored [1].

Laboratory
Yeast cells under the microscope (Photo: Müller-Schollenberger/HSWT)

Presentation of methods | Vitality of yeast is a major issue for every brewer. This applies to both yeasts propagated from professional yeast management as well as to fresh rehydrated dry yeasts. Modern brewers can choose between several methods for determining vitality of their yeast cells. One of these methods is the Acidification Power Test which can be carried out quickly and cost-effectively.

Beer/Brewing history
Copper brewing kettle (Photo: Claude Piché on Unsplash)

Curtailing the brewing process | Over the decades and centuries of the many advances in brewing technology, there have only been two primary objectives for any of the countless inventors, technicians and brewers: To improve quality and/or reduce costs. In the 18th installment of the Giants of Brewing History, Günther Thömmes introduces readers to a man whose work was characterized by significantly reducing the duration of the beer production process – in other words, he cut costs without sacrificing quality: Dr. Leopold Nathan.

Fermentation/Maturation
Open fermentation vats

Underestimated potential | Up until the end of the 19th century, the variety of microorganisms used as starter cultures to make beer was enormous. Their number is now totally inestimable. It was thus important to introduce pure yeast cultures to keep products clean and stable; this also meant, however, that the formerly broad spectrum of yeasts was narrowed down to comparatively few strains. This article, based on a talk given at the 11th Yeast and Microbiology Seminar 2024 in Weihenstephan, Germany, shows just what yeast can do given the chance.

Fermentation/Maturation
Yeast cells under the light microscope (Photo: Prof. Müller-Schollenberger/HSWT)

Feral Yeast | New results have led the authors of this review to reassess the significance of diastatic yeast and have raised fundamental questions about the nature of brewing yeasts.

Fermentation/Maturation
Yeast slurry in the sight glass of a pipe in the fermentation cellar

Resurrected yeast | According to Hutzler et al., in 1952 and 1953, environmental conditions and variable barley characteristics led to unsustainable brewing practices with a formerly popular Frohberg-type Saccharomyces pastorianus yeast [1]. Now identified as TUM 35, the once-extinct yeast was resurrected and made commercially available in 2019. In November of 2019, Schilling Beer Company of Littleton New Hampshire, USA, imported TUM 35 from Forschungszentrum Weihenstephan with a keen interest in the history of the yeast.

Fermentation/Maturation
Pichia fermentans unter dem Mikroskop (Foto: René Rehorska)

Low fermentation power | Non-alcoholic beers continue to enjoy great and increasing popularity among consumers. One production method employs low fermentation yeasts. The Spanish brewery Cervezas Gran Vía S.L. in Seville investigated the fermentation behavior of such a yeast – Pichia kluyveri – on an industrial scale.

Fermentation/Maturation
Bierglas mit klarem Bier und Schaumkrone (Foto: Yesmore Content auf Unsplash)

Crystal clear | Colloidal stability of beer is a key attribute, and its control is of high importance, since beer may start off clear, but it contains all the precursors that can lead to haze formation during the shelf life.

Fermentation/Maturation
A glass containing beer and beer foam (Photo: Hans on Pixabay)

Key aroma compounds | Non-alcoholic beers continue to be very popular with consumers in Germany. A variety of methods are available for their production. Each method has inherent advantages and disadvantages with regard to the aroma profile of the resultant beers. As part of a diploma thesis, an approach for producing non-alcoholic Bavarian Weissbier using maltose-negative yeast strains was investigated at the Weihenstephan Research Center for Brewing and Food Quality at the Technical University of Munich.

Fermentation/Maturation
Brewer inserting the Infusion Spiral into a fermentation tank

New barrel flavors | The Infusion Spiral® provides solutions for brewers in a variety of ways: Made from staves of wood in a unique cutting process and toasted if desired, it brings new barrel flavors but can also simply provide more body and balance, especially for nonalcoholic beers, while saving storage space, energy, time, and costs.

Fermentation/Maturation
Open fermentation, view from above

Unique experience | More often than not, breweries are now viewed as places for customers to have a unique culinary experience, one to be savored and enjoyed. For brewers around the world, this serves as strong motivation to showcase their production processes for their consumers. For this reason, some have devoted their efforts to rethinking the concept of open fermentation.

Current issue

BRAUWELT International 5-6

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Current issue

BRAUWELT International 5-6

Editorial
Table of contents

BRAUWELT International

Receive the most important BRAUWELT news three times a month for free.
Newsletter archive and informations
Your data is secure and will not be passed on to third parties. You can revoke your consent at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the end of the newsletter.

By clicking on "Subscribe to newsletter," you confirm that you have read our privacy policy and accept the processing of your data as described therein.

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Date 10 Nov 2026 - 12 Nov 2026
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