Beer quality control for master brewers & breweries

The process begins with the efficient conversion of starch into fermentable sugars such as maltose. This step determines the wort gravity and therefore the potential of the final product. To monitor critical transition points reliable and accurate measurement technologies are essential, not optional.

Endress+Hauser offers a comprehensive product portfolio to refine every stage of your brewhouse operations.

• Ensure highest reliability and accuracy with non-glass pH sensors like CPS77E with Memosens technology and retractable holders.
• To monitor actual yield, the multi-frequency Coriolis mass flowmeter Promass Q provides temperature compensated flow, total value and totalized Brix or Plato° values even in entrained gas applications.
• Rely on highest reliability in your mash tun level measurement using the temperature compensated Deltapilot FMB50 hydrostatic level sensor. Remote electronics make access easy.
• Minimize raw material usage by adding liquified adjuncts and dextrose with high accuracy. The Coriolis mass flowmeter Promass F100 provides the best temperature stability and precise measurement.

In beer fermentation, yeast converts fermentable sugars from malt into ethanol, CO₂ and secondary flavor compounds. To ensure consistent beer quality, it is essential to monitor and control key parameters such as temperature, extract, fermentation rate and alcohol content throughout the fermentation process.

Hygienic RTDs with fast response times support stable and precise temperature control during fermentation. Continuous, real-time monitoring of key fermentation parameters provides high‑accuracy process data and enables reliable, reproducible control throughout the batch.

• The hygienic modular thermometer iTHERM ModuLine TM411 provides fast and stable measurement to support precise temperature control in fermentation processes.
• Real-time insights into fermentation process and better process control is provided by our multi-parameter device Fermentation Monitor QWX43.

A major challenge of conventional filtration is the use of diatomaceous earth (DE). Because DE is a mined material, its quality and filtration performance can vary significantly. In addition, DE is difficult to handle and dispose of. Spent DE is often classified as hazardous waste and generates large volumes of filter cake and effluent, making disposal both costly and environmentally burdensome.

Differential pressure is a standard and reliable indicator of filter loading and performance. Both conventional DP transmitters and modern electronic DP systems can provide stable, accurate measurements when installed and maintained correctly.

• Enhance measurement stability and improve filter performance with electronic differential pressure system Deltabar FMD71 or with two hygiene pressure transmitter Cerabar PMP43

Breweries often produce a wide variety of beer styles, which makes it challenging to maintain a clear overview of production status. Consistent tracking is essential to ensure that the correct product is routed to the filling line.

To keep production running smoothly and minimize beer loss, breweries need to identify different beer types automatically and directly inline. Dual‑channel photometers measure color absorbance according to EBC guidelines, while conductivity provides additional media differentiation. Combined, these measurements allow reliable identification of each beer type before it reaches the filling line.

• Inline color absorbance: Rely on our optical sensor OUSAF22 for precise real-time inline color measurement.
• Complement this with the digital conductivity sensor Indumax CLS54D to differentiate media.

Microbial contamination from spoilage bacteria can occur at multiple stages in the brewing process. Raw materials, process water, equipment surfaces and the beer itself are all potential sources of contamination. Therefore, testing critical points such as the fermentation tank, the bottling line or the brewing water is crucial. Traditionally, detection of spoilage bacteria has relied heavily on time-consuming laboratory testing.

However, there’s a more efficient approach: the Endress+Hauser BioSense Analysis System. This innovative system enables PCR-based detection of spoilage bacteria, microbial contamination, and even pathogens. With its compact design and simple workflow, the Device BAB00 enables for immediate on-site analysis, significantly reducing response times and ensuring swift corrective actions. This approach revolutionizes quality control in the brewing industry, enhancing both quality and efficiency.

CIP concentration is critical for food safety, but it also strongly influences detergent consumption and wastewater costs. Accurate monitoring and control of chemical usage are therefore key to achieving both hygienic compliance and cost‑efficient operation.

Highly accurate conductivity measurement ensures the exact calculation of the required concentration. Level measurement of aggressive chemicals can be solved using different options depending on tank size and user preference.

• High‑accuracy conductivity measurement allows precise determination of CIP detergent concentration, ensuring effective cleaning while avoiding unnecessary chemical overuse.
• Depending on tank size, configuration and operator preference, level measurement can be implemented using hydrostatic or radar technologies - both established, robust principles for corrosive media.
• Fast temperature compensation in our conductivity transmitters improves phase separation accuracy, reducing beer losses during changeovers.

Explore further opportunities for CIP optimization to support quality and ensure resource efficiency.