Abstract: Tetrahydroiso-.alpha.-acids are prepared from iso-.alpha.-acids metal salts by hydrogenating the salts in a reaction solvent of a lower alkanol containing about 5% to about 20% w/w water and in the presence of up to about 5-50 psig hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst at about 30.degree.-50.degree. C. to form tetrahydroiso-.alpha.-acids.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the absence of a metal vent tube from a bottle filling machine comprises a nozzle that produces a stream of electrically conductive liquid which strikes the vent tube. A solenoid valve controls the flow of liquid to the nozzle and is activated by a control signal from the controller of the bottle filling machine. The apparatus also includes a generator which produces a signatured signal that is applied to the nozzle. A detector circuit has an input coupled to the frame of the bottle filling machine for detecting whether the signatured signal is present in the frame due to conduction from the vent tube. The detector responds to a failure to detect the signatured signal at the input by producing an output signal which indicates the absence of the vent tube. The controller responds to the detector output signal by shutting down the bottle filling machine until corrective action is taken.

Abstract: A simulator for training emergency response personnel in handling hazardous materials leaks includes a housing with a door. A cylinder, of a type used to contain a hazardous material, is within the housing and has a leak hole intentionally made therein. The cylinder includes a standard outlet valve, a regulator and a hose connected to the housing. In addition, the cylinder has been modified with a first fitting through which air can be introduced and a second fitting through which water can be introduced. Conduits are provided to supply air and water to the first and second fittings, respectively, in order to force air and/or water into the cylinder and exit through the hole to simulate a hazardous materials leak. A fog generator produces fog within the housing to simulate a gas haze of a material leak. Electrical devices normally found in housing for these cylinders also can be provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of preparing a colorless, clear beer by a method including ultrafiltration and the addition of dextrins, bittering agents and a foam enhancer. Methods of preparing improved nonalcoholic malt beverages and making natural beer foaming components also are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of preparing a colorless, clear beer by a method including ultrafiltration and the addition of dextrins, bittering agents and a foam enhancer. Methods of preparing improved nonalcoholic malt beverages and making natural beer foaming components also are disclosed. Further methods are disclosed for making flavored malt beverages, including a stable citrus flavored malt beverage.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the visually perceptible characteristics of foamable liquid, such as beer, comprises pouring a known quantity of the foamable liquid from a storage container into a clear beaker. A camera produces a video image of the beaker and its liquid and foam contents. A series of such image are periodically acquired over a definite time period. The images are electronically analyzed to derive numerical value indicating the different characteristics. A system for performing the method also is described.

Abstract: Tetrahydroisohumulones are prepared from isohumulones by hydrogenating the isohumulones in a reaction solvent of ethanol containing up to about 15% water in the presence of about 1 to about 40 psig of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst to form tetrahydroisohumulones.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the expression of an active pullulanase enzyme in a microorganism host. In one aspect, a DNA construct contains a sequence encoding the pullulanase enzyme, except for the nucleotides necessary to encode the first two amino acids in mature pullulanase, and regulating sequences allowing expression of the coding sequence in a microorganism host. An advantageous DNA construct contains regulatory sequences permitting expression of the pullulanase in a yeast cell.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting Listeria in a medium comprises adding to the medium an effective amount of tetrahydroisohumulone or hexahydrocolupulone or mixtures or salts thereof to inhibit any Listeria.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of preparing a colorless, clear beer by a method including ultrafiltration and the addition of dextrins, bittering agents and a foam enhancer. Methods of preparing improved nonalcoholic malt beverages and making natural beer foaming components also are disclosed.

Abstract: An insulating sleeve for a beverage pitcher is disclosed. The sleeve is a flexible jacket capable of surrounding the pitcher while allowing the pitcher handle to extend out through the side. The jacket also has an open top to permit the pitcher's pour spout to extend out of the top, and an open bottom to permit the base of the pitcher to extend out from the bottom. Advertising messages can be positioned on both the outside and inside of the design, and the sleeve is reversible. The jacket can be formed from a flat piece of material that is generally trapezoidal.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for preparing volatiles collected from a sample for gas chromatographic analysis. Volatiles are collected from the sample in a volatile trap, such as a porous polymer trap. The volatile trap is then connected to a transfer line. The trap is heated to thermally desorb the volatiles, and an inert gas, such as helium, flows through the heated trap to transport volatiles through the transfer line into a capillary column located in a gas chromatograph oven. Inside of the oven, a portion of the capillary column is cooled with a cooling fluid such as liquid nitrogen to form a cold trap. When the cold trap is cooled, the desorbed volatiles are trapped in the cold trap. Then the cold trap is heated to allow the volatiles to be released and the volatiles are carried to the remainder of the capillary column for chromatographic analysis by an inert carrier gas.

Abstract: Oral care compositions containing hop acids or their salts are effective in inhibiting Gram positive bacteria which can cause plaque or periodontal disease. A representative composition is a toothpaste containing tetrahydroisohumulone.

Abstract: A method of removing a valuable protein from a complex solution and recovering the valuable protein in purified form consists of adding a silica gel sorbant having a pore size approximately the molecular size of the protein to a solution containing the protein, allowing the protein to be sorbed onto the sorbant, separating the sorbant from the solution and then recovering the protein from the sorbant.

Abstract: A container-cooler for a beverage, such as beer, includes a conventional keg-shaped outer shell, an inner vessel for containing the beverage retained within the shell, and a space between the inner vessel and the outer shell for receiving a cooling medium, such as ice.

Abstract: A container-cooler for a beverage, such as beer, includes a conventional keg-shaped outer shell, an inner vessel for containing the beverage retained within the shell, and a space between the inner vessel and the outer shell for receiving a cooling medium, such as ice.

Abstract: Malt beverages having less than 0.5% v/v alcohol content are made by combining wort with a thick yeast slurry and fermenting sugars in the wort at 38.degree. F. to 45.degree. F. for 0.5 to 10 hours. The wort has a high extract content, at least 14% by weight. The yeast slurry is obtained from a prior beer fermentation and includes at least 10% by weight of yeast and the balance beer. The wort is combined with at least 10% to 20% v/v of the yeast slurry in the fermentation step.

Abstract: Beer spoilage microorganisms are detected with a culture medium that is advantageous for detecting Lactobacillus spp., Pediococcus spp. and wild yeast, and which allows detection to be carried out in four days. The medium contains tomato juice, peptones, cysteine hydrochloride, sorbitan nonooleate, mono and disaccharides, yeast extract, beef extract, potassium acetate, malic acid, mono and dibasic potassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, maganese sulfate, sodium chloride, ferrous sulfate, beer, water and agar.