Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent Fungamyl-like fungal alpha-amylase, which exhibits improved thermal stability at acidic pH suitable for, e.g., starch processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents and processes for the improved production of beer and mixed beer beverages, wherein the main fermentation is shortened and the formation of vicinal diketones is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents and processes for the low germ production of microbiologically stabilised beer.

Abstract: A selection method for barley lipoxygenase-1 deficient barley, comprising a step of distinguishing the barley lipoxygenase-1 deficient barley by whether or not the guanine at the splicing donor site of the 5th intron of the barley lipoxygenase-1 gene is mutated to a different base; and a method for production of malt alcoholic beverages using a material for malt alcoholic beverages derived from barley obtained by the selection method.

Abstract: A process for producing processed barley for use as a raw material for brewing, which includes a step in which pulverized barley suspended in water is heated to make the pulverized barley pasty.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide fermented beverages, in particular, beer-taste ones that contain isoamyl acetate abundantly to assure high organoleptic appeal. The invention also provides a process for producing a fermented beverage by performing alcoholic fermentation of an aqueous liquid mixture comprising a feed containing a carbon source and optionally hop, as well as water, wherein a maize protein digest is incorporated as a nitrogen source in the feed either before or during alcoholic fermentation.

Abstract: A fermented non-“beer” alcoholic beverage that is imparted a beer-like, natural color level and flavor and a method for producing the same are provided in a fermented alcoholic beverage that uses brewer's yeast and a method for producing the same. A fermented non-“beer” alcoholic beverage that is imparted a beer-like, natural color level and flavor may be produced without using artificial colorings such as caramel by adjusting the liquid color and flavor of the fermented alcoholic beverage using Maillard reaction products of sugar and proteolytic products and a preparation of the same. The method for producing a fermented alcoholic beverage of the present invention may be used in particular in producing “low-malt beer” and “other miscellaneous liquors” that require enhancement of the color level and flavor of the fermented alcoholic beverage because of restrictions on the use of fermentation ingredients, namely, wheat, barley and their malts.

Abstract: A fermented alcoholic beverage that is imparted a beer-like, natural color level and flavor and a method for producing the same are provided in a fermented alcoholic beverage that uses brewer's yeast and a method for producing the same. A fermented alcoholic beverage that is imparted a beer-like, natural color level and flavor may be produced without using artificial colorings such as caramel by adjusting the liquid color and flavor of the fermented alcoholic beverage using Maillard reaction products of sugar and proteolytic products and a preparation of the same. The method for producing a fermented alcoholic beverage of the present invention may be used in particular in low-malt beer and other miscellaneous liquors that require enhancement of the color level and flavor of the fermented alcoholic beverage because of restrictions on the use of fermentation ingredients.

Abstract: A method of producing a liquid fermentation product using a natural protein concentrate from a non-cereal grain source in place of protein derived from malted grains is provided. The natural protein concentrate can be directly used, in addition with a carbohydrate source, to produce a wort suitable for fermentation, thus avoiding the malting and mash mixing steps in traditional brewing methods. The wort requires less yeast to initiate the fermentation process than in similar alcohol fermentations, and does not require the addition of yeast nutrients. The resulting fermentation product can be processed for bottling without the need for an intervening storage period. The protein concentrate used in the method can be derived from non-cereal sources such as peas, soy, rice potatoes and other sources of natural protein.

Abstract: The present invention calls for the establishment of a centralized facility for the production of unfermented, undiluted, and unprocessed hopped wort using a single source of water. The hopped wort is then cooled and transported to a plurality of remote fermentation sites where the hopped wort will be fermented into beer by the addition of yeast. The fermentation sites are preferably located within a restaurant to provide the diners with the aesthetic enjoyment of consuming beers fermented on the premises and to provide a consistent quality from one restaurant location to the next where such beers are produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides alcoholic beverages which are stabilized against the growth of microorganisms whose growth may cause deterioration of the characteristics of the alcoholic beverages. The stabilized beverages are attained by utilization of a composition which includes a nisin-producing culture and a nutritional supplement in the process of making the alcoholic beverage. The composition of this invention includes nisin at a level effective for inhibiting growth of the spoilage-causing microorganisms, particularly, hardier strains of such microorganisms that may exhibit resistance to lower levels of nisin. The composition is prepared by adding to an aqueous medium, such as wort obtained in the process of making the alcoholic beverage, a nutritional supplement of a type and in an amount that is effective for increasing the yield of nisin, adjusting the pH of the wort to about 6.

Abstract: Disclosed is a an economical method of efficiently oxygenating yeast slurry without bubble formation. The method employs a membrane oxygenator comprising at least one hydrophobic, microporous membrane having a gas side and a liquid side. The yeast slurry flows over the liquid side of the membrane; oxygen is delivered to the gas side of the membrane and passes through the pores to the yeast slurry.

Abstract: A method for predicting late fermentation production of diacetyl in a brewing process comprises determining the ratio of FAN (free amino nitrogen content) to sugar (fermentable) to specific gravity in an initial wort composition. In addition there is provided a process for preventing incipient late fermentation production of diacetyl in a brewing process, comprising measuring and variously adjusting the initial FAN, sugar and specific gravity of the wort such that the ratio [ f . sugar ? ( g / L ) ] initial [ FAN ? ( g / L ) ] initial ? [ Gravity ? ( °P ) ] initial , for the adjusted wort has a value of 37 or less.

Abstract: A method of preparing beer from beer wort including adding amidated pectin to the wort or beer to inhibit coagulation and precipitation of proteins and to obtain a haze in the beer.

Abstract: In the method of producing a malt alcohol beverage, an adsorbent is used to remove through adsorption at least a part of rough flavor components from malt, a malt alcohol beverage intermediate product, or the malt alcohol beverage. As a result, the aging of flavor after production can be suppressed and the flavor immediately after production can be maintained over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: Fermented malt beverages with reinforced filling taste and fullness of mouthfeel are manufactured by addition of ?-glucosidase prior to a heat treatment in a wort production process in the course of manufacturing fermented malt beverages Production of acetic acid can be reduced by addition of ?-glucosidase in the fermentation process in the high gravity brewing of beer. Further, low-calorie beers are manufactured by the method in which ?-glucosidase is added in the fermentation process in brewing of beer and thereby real fermentation degree is enhanced.

Abstract: An improved flavoring composition and process for brewing malt beverages is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the flavoring composition is formed from a high solids percent, room temperature stable, partially aqueous composition of a potassium salt of iso-?-acids. Such composition may be added to the wort kettle or else used as a post-fermentation additive, preferably after dilution with demineralized water. In another embodiment, the flavoring composition comprises a mixture containing reduced (rho-) iso-?-acids in alkali metal salts form, ?-acids and hop oil. This latter composition is useful as a substitute for normal kettle extract, hops or hop pellets, allowing easy preparation of beer that resists formation of unpleasant, “skunk” flavors but has otherwise similar flavor and physical properties.

Abstract: A process for producing a fermentation product by effecting fermentation with the use of a bioreactor having an immobilized microorganism located therein, characterized in that a non-flocculent yeast is employed as the microorganism.

Abstract: A flavorless, odorless and colorless malt base is produced by preheating a malt base derived from malt grains in aqueous solution in the presence of an activated charcoal absorbent to remove proteins from the mixture before or after fermenting the mixture in the presence of a yeast to convert carbohydrates to ethyl alcohol. The yeast and activated carbon are then removed and the fermented intermediate beer is subjected to treatment in series with an anion exchange resin, a cation exchange resin and an adsorption resin to remove undesired colors, odors and/or flavors. The resulting flavorless malt base can be used to formulate flavored malt beverages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing wort with reduced content of a stale flavor-causing substance for the purpose of producing fermented alcoholic beverages such as beer and the like, in which the generation of a stale flavor is suppressed, and to provide a process for producing fermented alcoholic beverages such as beer and the like, in which the generation of a stale flavor is suppressed by using the wort obtained by said process. It becomes possible to produce fermented alcoholic beverages such as beer and the like, in which the generation of a stale flavor is suppressed, as a result of reducing a stale flavor-causing substance in wort by adjusting the grist fineness of a cereal raw material that are used for producing fermented alcoholic beverages such as beer and the like, i.e. by grinding the grains of a cereal raw material more coarsely than usual.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide fermented malt beverages with reduced content of purine compounds and a process for producing the same, or more particularly to provide a process to remove selectively, efficiently and effectively purine compounds in the production of fermented malt beverages such as beer, low-malt beer and the like, and fermented malt beverages with reduced content of purine compounds produced by said process. It was found that purine compounds in wort can be selectively adsorbed and removed by treating with an adsorbent, particularly with activated charcoal, which selectively adsorbs purine compounds in wort, during the production steps of fermented malt beverages such as beer, low-malt beer and the like. Furthermore, it was also found that it is possible to produce efficiently and effectively fermented malt beverages with reduced content of purine compounds. As for the activated charcoal of the present invention, particularly the one with the average pore diameter of 1-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the wort flow from a lauter tun. To shorten the lautering time, according to the present invention a second increased outflow value which is to be reached within a given time interval is predetermined in the course of the total sequence of a brewing process (first wort, second worts) in at least one phase (trending phase), based on a predetermined outflow value of the wort outflow, the increase in flow rate/per time unit (increase value) as is required for attaining the second outflow value is determined on the basis of these values, and the determined increase value is used as a set value for controlling an outflow regulator.

Abstract: Fermented malt beverages with reinforced filling taste and fullness of mouthfeel are manufactured by addition of &agr;-glucosidase prior to a heat treatment in a wort production process in the course of manufacturing fermented malt beverages

Abstract: Brewing method in which a suspension of cereals having undergone traditional mashing is boiled in the same kettle as that in which mashing is carrier out, with no hops present. Filtration in the method of the invention is carried out using a thin filter bed, i.e. a filter bed with a thickness between 20 mm and 60 mm, preferably on the order of 40 mm. The method is preferably carried out in an installation that includes a mash tub and at least one and preferably two or three kettles in which mashing and boiling takes place, the kettles being followed by a filter and preferably by a buffer tank and then by a cooler.

Abstract: The present invention calls for the establishment of a centralized facility for the production of unfermented, undiluted, and unprocessed hopped wort using a single source of water. The hopped wort is then cooled and transported to a plurality of remote fermentation sites where the hopped wort will be fermented into beer by the addition of yeast. The fermentation sites are preferably located within a restaurant to provide the diners with the aesthetic enjoyment of consuming beers fermented on the premises and to provide a consistent quality from one restaurant location to the next where such beers are produced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing mushroom mycelia and uses of the mushroom mycelia. Mushroom mycelia can be cultured at low cost in a broth made of the water from the washing of grains. Also, mushroom mycelia rich in trace minerals can be cultured in a broth supplemented with trace minerals. Feeding of feedstuffs mixed with the mushroom mycelia culture produces duck meats with excellent taste and quality and low cholesterol content.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the production of light stable hop products, useful for the brewing of beer or ale to be stored in clear or green glass containers, which beer or ale will not develop objectionable flavor as a result of exposure to light. Light stable hop products are prepared by double extraction of liquid/supercritical CO2 extracted hop solids with ethanol to remove alpha/iso-alpha-acids. Such alpha/iso-alpha-acids may be further removed from the ethanol extraction filtrate obtained in the double extraction process by subjecting such filtrate to an ion exchange medium, or precipitation by a metal ion, heavy metal ion, or alkali metal ion, or hydrogenation to provide an alpha/iso-alpha-acids free filtrate which may be added to the light stable double extracted hop solid residues obtained in the initial double extraction process.

Abstract: The invention provides process or method of malting cereal seeds, such as barley, wheat, rye, corn, oats, rice, millet and sorghum which process includes reducing the microbial level in the seeds prior to steeping, malting and the introduction of a starter culture used in the malting process. According to the invention, the reduction of microbial levels permits efficient use of starter cultures, such as molds, yeasts, bacteria, spores and activated spores.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of a sport beer or malt beverage that has enhanced nutrition in comparison to existing beer or malt beverages. The beverage comprises a beer or malt beverage that contains supplemental protein, peptide, amino acid, antioxidant, mineral and/or vitamin supplements. Such a beverage provides a healthier alternative to conventional beer or malt beverages, especially when consumed in post recreational sport social contexts.

Abstract: In the production of potable alcohols, a continuous fermentation stage is employed to pitch and/or initially ferment a wort containing fermentable sugars. An exemplary continuous stage involves the use of a gas lift bioreactor employing superflocculant yeast and stringent oxygen control. The continuous stage can then be followed by sending an at least partially fermented discharge from the continuous process is delivered to a batch processing stage for finishing.

Abstract: A method for predicting late fermentation production of diacetyl in a brewing process comprises determining the ratio of FAN (free amino nitrogen content) to sugar (fermentable) to gravity in an initial wort composition. In addition there is provided a process for preventing incipient late fermentation production of diacetyl in a brewing process, comprising measuring and variously adjusting the initial FAN, sugar and gravity of the wort such that the ratio 1 [ f .

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing a malt beverage by adding thereto during the process an effective amount of a sugar polymer. It is also directed to the product produced thereby. Another embodiment is directed to a process of purifying a product, such as polydextrose having a glucose impurity by dissolving the product in water and adding yeast thereto, fermenting under conditions effective to convert the glucose to carbon dioxide and ethanol and separating the compound from the carbon dioxide and ethanol.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the prevention of the production of skunky thiols upon exposure of beer to ultraviolet or visible light. Preferably, the invention is directed to the removal or inactivation of one or more of the reactants that are present in beer that bring about skunky thiol formation, particularly the removal of flavin reactants, especially riboflavin, or to the prevention of the light excitation of such reactants.

Abstract: A process is disclosed whereby wood chips are used in the brewing process to produce a beer which is more pleasing and mellow than conventional beers. The wood chips are preferably toasted oak chips.

Abstract: The present invention provides alcoholic beverages which are stabilized against the growth of microorganisms whose growth may cause deterioration of the characteristics of the alcoholic beverages. The stabilized beverages are attained by utilization of a composition which includes a nisin-producing culture and a nutritional supplement in the process of making the alcoholic beverage. The composition of this invention includes nisin at a level effective for inhibiting growth of the spoilage-causing microorganisms, particularly, hardier strains of such microorganisms that may exhibit resistance to lower levels of nisin. The composition is prepared by adding to an aqueous medium, such as wort obtained in the process of making the alcoholic beverage, a nutritional supplement of a type and in an amount that is effective for increasing the yield of nisin, adjusting the pH of the wort to about 6.

Abstract: A method of producing wort or beer which avoids or minimizes problems encountered with high beta glucan content such as slow lautering of wort, slow filtration of beer, decreased yields, gel precipitations in the package, unfilterable beer haze, and colloidal instability. This method involves modifying the malt to an extent which reduces the beta glucan content to a sufficiently low value such that these problems are avoided or minimized sufficiently. An undesirable side effect of malting to this extent is that certain undesirable constituents, such as color components (causing the beer to be dark) and certain proteins, are formed. An adsorbent is contacted with the wort or beer to remove these undesirable constituents from the wort or beer. The adsorption step preferably utilizes clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite, that can be readily filtered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of alcoholic beverages such as beer or whiskey with a mixture of enzymes comprising an endo-&bgr;(1,4)-xylanase, an arabinofuranosidase, an alpha-amylase, an endo-protease and a &bgr;-(1,3; 1,4)-glucanase, and optionally, a saccharifying amylase and/or an exopeptidase. Preferable are mixtures in which the enzymes which are necessary in the brewing process are provided by transgenic seeds. Only a minor amount of malt may be necessary for flavour and color.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for stabilizing the flavor of a fermented malt beverage, most particularly a beer, by the addition of one or more inhibitors, blockers, reducing agents or binding agents that inactivate one or more Maillard reaction intermediates that induce staling of the flavor of fermented malt beverages. In preferred such methods, the agents used are reductase enzymes, especially aldehyde reductases, carbonyl reductases, aldose reductases, oxoaldehyde reductases and most particularly oxidoreductases such as isozymes of Old Yellow Enzyme (e.g., OYE1 and 0YE2). The invention is also directed to the fermented malt beverage prepared by such a method, and to the use during the brewing process of reductase enzymes from naturally occurring sources, including those produced by yeasts, to stabilize the flavor of the resulting beer product and to produce a beer having a stable flavor.

Abstract: A process using a hydrophobic membrane separation process for making an enhanced flavor fluid, particularly a low-alcohol brew, having improved flavor is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved flavoring composition and process for brewing malt beverages is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the flavoring composition is formed from a high solids percent, room temperature stable, partially aqueous composition of a potassium salt of iso-&agr;-acids. Such composition may be added to the wort kettle or else used as a post-fermentation additive, preferably after dilution with demineralized water. In another embodiment, the flavoring composition comprises a mixture containing reduced (rho-) iso-&agr;-acids in alkali metal salts form, &bgr;-acids and hop oil. This latter composition is useful as a substitute for normal kettle extract, hops or hop pellets, allowing easy preparation of beer that resists formation of unpleasant, “skunk” flavors but has otherwise similar flavor and physical properties.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a useful protein by mixing a useful protein and an aqueous solution of a compound having the basic structure of arabic acid, and a stabilizied useful protein compositon containing a useful protein and a compound having the basic structure of arabic acid; gum arabic is preferred as a compound having the basic structure of arabic acid, and examples of a useful protein include cytokine and interferon; and a production method for canine interferon-&ggr; and stabilization thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the wort flow from a lauter tun.

Abstract: The present invention calls for the establishment of a centralized facility for the production of unfermented, undiluted, and unprocessed hopped wort using a single source of water. The hopped wort is then cooled and transported to a plurality of remote fermentation sites where the hopped wort will be fermented into beer by the addition of yeast. The fermentation sites are preferably located within a restaurant to provide the diners with the aesthetic enjoyment of consuming beers fermented on the premises and to provide a consistent quality from one restaurant location to the next where such beers are produced.

Abstract: Iso-&agr;-acids and reduced iso-&agr;-acids in their free acids states are converted into mobile resins by the addition of concentrated solutions of alkali metal hydroxides. The products may be used in brewing for the bittering of beer and are most effectively used in an apparatus that automatically blends the product with water and injects the resultant, aqueous solution into beer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering essence from a mash. The method includes providing a mash which includes essence, treating the mash to produce a vapor stream and a mash stream, where the vapor stream includes the essence, and condensing the vapor stream which includes the essence under conditions effective to recover the essence. The present invention further relates to an essence recovery system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the pasteurisation of drinks, in particular beer, by thermal treatment, in which before being filled into its containers a flow volume of the product is heated above a pasteurisation temperature and then cooled again, such that immediately after a heating phase (30) which lasts until a previously calculated maximum temperature (33) has been reached, the cooling phase (34) with decreasing product temperatures is commenced. In the method according to the invention there is no heat holding period during which the temperature is held constant. The method enables a high product temperature to be reached without exceeding the limits specified for the pasteurisation units applied.

Abstract: The invention provides process or method of malting cereal seeds, such as barley, wheat, rye, corn, oats, rice, millet and sorghum which process includes reducing the microbial level in the seeds prior to steeping, malting and the introduction of a starter culture used in the malting process According to the invention, the reduction of microbial levels permits efficient use of starter cultures, such as molds, yeasts, bacteria, spores and activated spores.

Abstract: A beer-like carbonated alcoholic beverage rich in the characteristic flavor of an organic acid such as malic acid or citric acid is obtained by conducting with a Rhizopus or white-Aspergillus mold the saccharification of malt in beer brewing. The formation of the organic acid during the production process makes it possible to allow the fermentation to proceed stably. Furthermore, the beverage obtained according to the present invention has a high alcohol content and has hence been improved in storage stability. When moto is used as a yeast, a beer-like carbonated alcoholic beverage added with sake flavor can be obtained. When a must of fruit wine is employed, a beer-like carbonated alcoholic beverage added with the flavor of a fruit wine can be obtained.

Abstract: The growth of spoilage bacteria in yeast preparations and in fermentation products is inhibited by addition of lysozyme at various steps in the production process.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of a novel carbonated alcoholic beverage having a characteristic flavor. A mixture of malt and an amylaceous raw material is added with a koji which has been prepared using a mold selected from the group consisting of yellow Aspergillus and white Aspergillus. The mixture is then saccharified by the koji to obtain a saccharified malt liquor. An output from production of an alcoholic beverage, which is of a type different from the saccharified malt liquor, is incorporated in the saccharified malt liquor. Prior to the incorporation of the output in the saccharified malt liquor, a hop flavor can be added to the saccharified malt liquor by adding hops to the saccharified malt liquor and heating the hops and the saccharified malt liquor.