Abstract: A process for producing a product with an intensified beer flavor is disclosed. The process comprises: steeping barley with water to produce steeped-out barley; treating the steeped-out barley with an enzyme promoter; preferably gibberellic acid; germinating the steeped-out barley to produce a green malt; heating the green malt to 70-89 C. for 0.5 to 3 hours while maintaining the moisture content of the green malt at 30-55 weight percent; drying the heated green malt to produce dried malt, the dried malt having a moisture content of 3.5-5.5 weight percent; making a mash from the dried malt by grinding and adding brewing water, thus producing a wort and a residue; separating the wort from the residue; boiling the wort to produce boiled wort; cooling and pitching the boiled wort with yeast to produce pitched wort; and fermenting the pitched wort to produce the product with an intensified beer flavor.

Abstract: A cold contact process for the production of non-alcoholic malt beverages comprising the steps of preparing a boiled malt wort of about 12-20 degrees Plato; acidifying the wort through the addition of an edible acid, to a pH of greater than about 4.0, and less than 4.6. To the acidified wort is added an amount of about 25% to 75% wet packed yeast slurry suspended in a freshly harvested regularly brewed, barm beer. The slurry is added in sufficient proportions to produce a yeast cell concentration in the resulting wort/slurry mixture, of about 40 million to 80 million yeast cells per milliliter thereof. The yeast and the wort are held in contact in the mixture for greater than 10, up to a maximum of 30 hours, at a temperature of greater than zero up to a maximum of less than 7 degrees Centigrade. The resulting beverage is then aged after separating the thusly contacted wort from all but 0.5-2 million yeast cells per milliliter of the separated wort.

Abstract: A low carbohydrate near beer is produced by a brewing process utilizing brewing materials including 100% brewer's malt with not more than a prescribed amount of dextrin malt and not more than a prescribed amount of caramel malt. The mashing, boiling and fermentation stages are controlled so that carbohydrate and calorie levels are achieved in a near beer having excellent taste and brightness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing ethanol from raw materials, that contain fermentable sugars or constituents which can be converted into sugars, comprising the steps of:a-liquefaction of the raw materials in the presence of an alpha-amylase for obtaining liquefied mash,b-saccharification of the liquefied mash in the presence of a glucoamylase for obtaining hydrolyzed starch and sugars,c-fermentation of the hydrolyzed starch and sugars by yeast for obtaining ethanol, andd-recovering alcohol,a protease being introduced in the liquefied mash during the saccharification and/or in the hydrolyzed starch and sugars during the fermentation.The invention relates also to a composition containing a glucoamylase and an acid fungal protease.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing amylolytic enzymes by culturing a microorganism, having received as a result of recombinant DNA technology DNA sequences from a donor yeast comprising the coding sequences for the amylolytic enzymes wherein the host microorganism is capable of expressing said amylolytic enzymes. Furthermore, this invention provides microorganisms genetically engineered as to being able to produce and express the amylolytic enzymes, a vector containing the DNA sequences, coding for the amylolytic enzymes and the respective DNA sequences. The said host microorganisms are useful in the production of biomass and many fermentation processes, preferably in the production of special beers.

Abstract: A method of producing an alcohol-free or low alcohol beer comprising thermally breaking malt draff to obtain a malt draff mash from a substrate selected from the group consisting of a full- or a high-alcohol content beer brewing base or a protein fraction obtained from malt draff by digesting, boiling or autoclaving during the production of edible draff meal in a draff mash. The method homogenizes, extrudes and mechanically removes insoluble chaff from the brewing base prior to thermally breaking up the malt draff, cooling the malt draff mash to about 72.degree. C., emzymatically breaking up the malt draff mash by adding coarsely ground malt, heating the mash to 80.degree.-85.degree. C., adding thereto coarsely ground malt premashed in cold water to produce a wort with a final fermentation degree of at most 60% and a temperature of 70.degree.-74.degree. C., which is maintained until iodine normality is attained and subjecting the iodine normal mash to mashing.

Abstract: A beer containing 0.3 to 2.3 volume percent of glycerol and a method of manufacturing said beer in which glycerol is added to the beer produced by a conventional brewing method or the fermentation is carried out in the presence of a yeast producing a sufficient glycerol content of the beer without glycerol addition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for enzymatically hydrolysing protein in a protein-containing liquid, comprising the step of hydrolysing the protein with an enzymatic amount of a Candida enzyme preparation, in the absence of non-indigenous beer wort protein concentrations sufficient to substantially increase foam stability in the liquid. The invention also extends to a proteolytic, Candida enzyme preparation substantially free of beer wort proteins.

Abstract: The height position of the rake gear rotating in a lauter tub for the production of beer is automatically controlled in accordance with the flow rate or the differential pressure. The control is effected in such a way that when there is a drop in the flow rate or an increase in the differential pressure, the rake gear is moved to a lower position, whereas when there is an increase in the flow rate or a drop in the differential pressure, it is moved to a higher position. In addition, the rotational speed of the rake gear can be increased or reduced at the same time as it is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A process for the production of beer with a low alcohol content is described. The process comprises preparing a wort by boiling and adding ascorbic acid to such wort prior, during, or after boiling, so long as the wort remains hot. The process can be employed according to the invention for the production of non-alcoholic beer by the yeast cold contact process, in which yeast recovered from a fermentation process is brought into contact with the wort at a low temperature below 0.degree. C. As a rule, the non-alcoholic beer produced by this process imparts an unpleasant and bitter aftertaste. By adding ascorbic acid to the boiling wort, the bitter aftertaste is completely eliminated.

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: The invention relates to non-alcoholic beer, comprising unfermented wort reconstituted with water from wort powder, and carbon dioxide, said wort powder being spray-dried wort.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beer having an alcohol content of maximally 3.5% by volume. For obtaining a beer of this type having good flavor properties, the invention is characterized in that the beer is a mixture of beer obtained by conventional fermentation and unfermented wort product reconstituted with water.

Abstract: The invention relates to beer production and intermediate products for use therein. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for the production of a beer wherein, prior to fermentation, the wort is subjected to a separating technique to produce one product, lower in fermentable low molecular weight components of the wort, in substantially the same concentration as the feedstock, and subsequently fermenting that product to produce a beer.The invention also relates to the wort products obtained by the separation techniques.

Abstract: A method for the accelerated brewing of alcohol and alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and spirits utilizing flavor producing strains of S. cerevisiae and/or other bacteria such as lactobacillus spp. and a high alcohol-tolerant strain of S. cerevisiae. Preferred strains of S. cerevisiae for the production of beer are ATCC Nos. 20866 and 20867.In the preferred method, the fermentation is conducted in a bioreactor containing the flavor-producing strains and the high alcohol tolerant strain of S. cerevisiae immobilized on inert, high surface area supports, preferably porous organic or glass beads. The bioreactor significantly decreases the fermentation time necessary to produce a beverage containing a desired alcohol percentage. For example, beer can be processed in less than about 12 to 18 hours, wine in less than about 36 hours.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises selection of whole grain rice, either white or brown rice, which is liquefied, preferably with alpha-amylase enzymes, and then treated with relatively high levels of a glucosidase enzyme and/or a beta-amylase enzyme in a saccharifying step. The total enzymatic reaction time in both the liquefaction and saccharification steps is limited to prevent development of undesirable off-flavors to yield a non-allergenic rice milk produce having surprising milk-like texture and functionality, the rice milk product being characterized by the absence of a rice-like flavor and having a preferred composition defined as follows:______________________________________ Soluble Complex Carbohydrates 10 to 70% of solids; Maltose 0 to 70% of solids; Glucose 5 to 70% of solids; Ash or Minerals 0.1 to 0.6% of solids; Protein and Fat 1 to 3.5% of solids; Fiber 0.05 to 0.4% of solids. ______________________________________The rice milk product can also be converted to a dried product.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method for the production of low-alcohol or alcohol-free beer. In said method, a gas is lead through alcoholic beer in order to desorb the alcohol, the involved loss of taste in the beer being compensated for by substances which improve the taste thereof. The taste-improving substances are either already contained in the beer as fermentable substances or are specifically added thereto. The method of the invention can also be carried out using yeast-containing beer, the yeast then utilizing a portion of the fermentable substances present, producing aroma substances typical of beer and, if necessary, degrading a further portion of the present ethanol at the same time.

Abstract: Alcoholic liquors containing carbamide are treated with the urease which has the optimal pH for the activity in an acid region, especially in the region of pH2 to 5. By such treatment, the carbamide can be completely decomposed and removed from the alcoholic liquors in a much smaller amount of urease and in a short time as compared with a conventional treatment according to a urease having the optimal pH in the neutral to alkaline region. This method is more advantageous from the viewpoint of practical use and the quality of the thus obtained alcoholic liquors are superior to that obtained by the conventional treatment.

Abstract: A low-calorie, all-malt beer characterized by full body and flavor of a conventional all-malt beer and a method of preparing the same without any external enzymes is described. A wort is prepared by blending warm malt mash with hot water under conditions which avoid exposing the blend of hot water and the malt mash to temperature between about 52.degree. C. and 75.degree. C., and the resultant wort is converted to beer by fermenting the wort with Brewer's yeast. The wort extract is oxygenated with substantially pure oxygen in place of air normally used in the fermentation, and the Brewer's yeast is added to the wort extract at a rate of about 30 to 60 grams pressed yeast per 100 liters wort so as to absorb, within the yeast cells of the Brewer's yeast, substantially all harsh and grainy flavor compounds contained in the wort extract.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method for the production of low-alcohol or alcohol-free beer having a glycerol content of from 0.3 to 2.0% by volume, which content improves the body of the beer. In the method according to the invention, the process of fermentation is carried out using an ADH-negative yeast mutant which cannot produce alcohol, but produces increased amounts of glycerol instead. The obtained alcohol-free beer can be blended with normal, alcoholic beer to give low-alcohol beer.

Abstract: In a process of producing a carbonated hop-malt beverage in which a wort concentrate is produced from malt extract, hop concentrate and yeast by a heat treatment, fermentation, filtration and pasteurization, the wort concentrate is packaged for a long shelf life and for the consumption of the beverage is diluted with water and carbon dioxide, it is desired to produce a beverage which in its taste and consistency and particularly as regards frothing is similar to conventional beer. This is accomplished in that in the preparation of the wort concentrate from dilute malt extract, protein is separated by being heated and precipitated and hop concentrate and yeast are added to the resulting liquor, which is subsequently fermented. After an optional addition of nutrients and aromas to the liquor the fermentation is interrupted by shock cooling. The substrate is filtered, pasteurized and packaged.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of rice wine or vinegar especially to an improved procedure for preparing a vinegar, having the attributes of ancient quality, labor intensive and multi-year jar prepared rice vinegar. A single, autoclave fermenter is used for carrying out process steps including rice washing, soaking, cooking, liquification and saccharification, in order to produce a rice vinegar mash that initially contains a minimum of 30% starch. Ethanol fermentation is also carries out in the same vessel at a relatively high temperature to yield a wine product with an ethanol concentration of at least 18% and an amino acid concentration of at least 1.0%. The relatively high amino acid content of the wine causes the subsequently produced vinegar to be exceptionally smooth and mild. The rice mash is prepared by mixing cooked rice with alpha-amylase, elevating the temperature to liquify the rice, and then raising the temperature to about 121.degree. C.

Abstract: Wort, heated to boiling in a brew kettle, is continuously withdrawn from the brew kettle and passed through a copper heat exchange coil in an external heat exchanger. Hot combustion gases are discharged at high velocity into direct contact with the heat exchange coil to thereby heat the wort flowing through the coil to a temperature in the range of 220.degree. to 240.degree. F. The heated wort is then returned to the brew kettle and discharged at a location beneath the level of the wort in the kettle. The direct firing of the wort in the copper heat exchange coil provides improved flavor characteristics for the beer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alcohol-free yeast white beer and a process for its production wherein the yeast is physically separated from an alcohol containing yeast white beer free of fermentable substances. The beer is then subjected to a vacuum distillation until the alcohol content has been reduced to less than 0.5% by volume to produce a beer concentrate. A corresponding amount of oxygen-free, carbonic acid-containing make-up water is added to the concentrate. Subsequently, top-fermented brewers' yeast is added in an amount above the content normally present in yeast white beer, and thereafter the product is stored at a temperature of from 0.degree. to 10.degree. C. Subsequently, yeast is again separated off and thereafter the desired amount of yeast and carbon dioxide is added.

Abstract: Beer of low alcohol content is produced by preparing an all-malt brew using a high-temperature-tolerant cellulase. Mashing is conducted at a temperature of approximately 78.degree.-80.degree. C. After mashing, the wort is separated from the mash and fermented with yeast. After fermentation the all-malt beer is supplemented with a low dextrose equivalent (D.E.) starch hydrolyzate, filtered and treated with post-fermentive hopping and malt coloring, if desired. Finally, the drew is diluted with acidified deaerated water so as to contain not more than about 0.5% alcohol by volume.

Abstract: A method for preparing an alcohol-free barley malt-based beverage of reduced caloric content is described. In a preferred embodiment, the method consists of adding to a conventionally procssed Malta beverage, following boiling, cooling and filtering, but prior to packaging an amylolytic enzyme system. The amylolytic enzyme system converts te maltose and complex carbohydrates (dextrins) present in the beverage extract to simple, sweet-tasting dextrose.

Abstract: To prepare alcohol-free drinks with a yeast aroma, such as alcohol-free beer, an aqueous starting liquid containing nutrients and/or flavor substances is used. The starting liquid can be prepared by mixing a nutrient and/or flavor substance concentrate with water. A yeast is removed from a fermentation process and is freed from the fermented liquid. The starting liquid and the yeast are brought into contact with one another, and in particular at such low temperatures that virtually no alcoholic fermentation occurs. The starting liquid and the yeast are left in contact with one another until the aroma substances of the yeast have diffused from the cell into the liquid and the yeast has exerted its reducing effect.

Abstract: A process for improving the filterability of wort or beer comprising treating said wort or beer with an enzymatic product produced by Disporotrichum dimorphosporm exhibiting xylanase activity in an amount effective to improve the filterability.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises selection of whole grain rice, either white or brown rice, which is liquefied, preferably with alpha-amylase enzymes, and then treated with relatively high levels of a glucosidase enzyme and/or a beta-amylase enzyme in a saccharifying step. The total enzymatic reaction time in both the liquefaction and saccharification steps is limited to prevent development of undesirable off-flavors to yield a non-allergenic rice milk product having surprising milk-like texture and functionality, the rice milk product being characterized by the absence of a rice-like flavor and having a preferred composition defined as follows:Soluble Complex Carbohydrates--10 to 70% of solids;Maltose--0 to 70% of solids;Glucose--5 to 70% of solids;Ash or Minerals--0.1 to 0.6% of solids;Protein and Fat--1 to 3.5% of solids;Fiber--0.05 to 0.4% of solids.The rice milk product can also be converted to a dried product.

Abstract: A method of making cereal wine includes mixing a ground cereal grain, sugar, amylase enzyme, yeast nutrient, wine tannin, and a sanitizing agent in water. After a time delay, started yeast is added to the mixed ingredients which are occasionally stirred as fermentation occurs. The solids portion of the mixed ingredients are allowed to settle to the bottom of a liquid portion which is drained off and stored in a separate tank. The wine is periodically racked and is deemed ready for bottling in approximately nine months.

Abstract: In accordance with the practice of the present invention, there is disclo a process which is useful in the production of a beer having a high unfermentable-residual-malt-extract to alcohol ratio. The high extract-to-alcohol beer produced by this process may be, inter alia, an alcohol-reduced beer in its own right, or may be readily converted into an alcohol-reduced beer by the simple expedient of diluting with water.

Abstract: Low alcohol beer is produced by a process wherein a portion of malt is replaced with a hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate. The hydrolyzate is preferably added before boiling of wort in the presence of hops in a amount to provide a final beer with 0.1 to 2% by weight hydrolyzate. The hydrolyzate has between 0.1 and 35% substances of DP 1, between 0.1 and 45% substance of DP 2, less than 45% substances greater than DP 20, and a remainder of substances of DP 3 to 20.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amylolytic enzymes produced by strains of Schwanniomyces castellii which enzymes are relatively thermolabile under the conditions used to pasteurize beer. The present invention is also concerned with a novel strain of Schwanniomyces castellii which is a derepressed producer of alpha-amylase. Also disclosed is an improved process for the production of low carbohydrate beers and in particular, low calorie beers, from high gravity worts which improvements are facilitated through the use of culture filtrates derived from viable cultures of Schwanniomyces castellii.

Abstract: To prepare alcohol-free drinks with a yeast aroma, such as alcohol-free beer, an aqueous starting liquid containing nutrients and/or flavor substances is used. The starting liquid can be prepared by mixing a nutrient and/or flavor substance concentrate with water. A yeast is removed from a fermentation process and is freed from the fermented liquid. The starting liquid and the yeast are brought into contact with one another, and in particular at such low temperatures that virtually no alcoholic fermentation occurs. The starting liquid and the yeast are left in contact with one another until the aroma substances of the yeast have diffused from the cell into the liquid and the yeast has exerted its reducing effect.

Abstract: A method for producing a wort containing a reduced level of fermentable sugars is described. The method consists of providing a warm aqueous suspension of ground malt, and adding the warm suspension to a boiling aqueous suspension of cereal adjuncts while avoiding temperatures between about 52.degree. and 72.degree. C. The resulting wort is useful for producing a beer with a lower-than-normal alcohol content, or a malt beverage lacking sweetness usually associated with malt beverages.

Abstract: A process for producing a food composition possessing a malt-like flavor is disclosed. The process involves germinating a cereal grain seed until sprouted roots develop. The sprouted roots are explanted and are then grown on a nutrient medium. The cultured root are then harvested and heated to develop the malt-like flavor. The composition may be utilized as a source of malt flavor in a foodstuff or beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for the continuous boiling of wort in which separators (5 and 6) which serve for depressurization and lowering of the temperature of the wort and for separating off the vapor are each combined into one structural unit (8 and 7 respectively) with the appertaining recuperative heat exchangers (2 and 1 respectively). This results in considerable simplification of the apparatus, a reduction in the amount of space required and an increase in the degree of efficiency from the point of view of heat engineering.

Abstract: Continuous pressure boiling of beer wort is carried out in a multistage column having an upright inner wall enclosing a head region near the top of the column, a sump region near the bottom of the column and a wort compartment between the head and sump regions. The wort compartment includes a plurality of superposed, substantially horizontal plates. Each plate is provided with an overflow weir on its upper surface with an opening between the overflow weir and the wall of the column. Regenerative preheated wort is charged onto an upper plate and flows downward from one plate to another over the overflow weirs and through the openings. A heated gaseous medium introduced into the sump region raises through the openings and heats the downward flowing wort to boiling temperature to degas and free the wort from undesirable foreign substances. Vapors from the wort are condensed in the head region and discharged, and the processed wort is discharged from the sump region.

Abstract: A lauter tun (10,100) has a bottom (16) comprising two flat plates (18,20) joined together on a straight line (see 22), each plate (18,20) sloping downwardly from the center-line to the peripheral wall (14) of the tun, such that during flushing, water flows down each slope to flush solids towards two large collection points (26) located at the lowest point of the bottom 16.

Abstract: Brewing apparatus and a method of brewing in which mash cooking and wort boiling are carried out in a single vessel (2), the vessel having an agitator (202), a heater preferably formed as a steam jacket (220, 224) and as an external through flow heater (8), the wort being circulated through the heater and back into the vessel by means of a tangential feed inlet (56) which causes the vessel's contents to whirl while the wort is boiling. The apparatus and method reduces the requirement for separate mash cooking and wort boiling vessels.

Abstract: An alcoholic liquid obtained by fermenting a must or a wort is initially subjected to ultrafiltration or to reverse osmosis to obtain a permeate which contains a higher proportion of water and alcohol than the starting liquid and a concentrate which contains a higher proportion of the substances that flavor the starting liquid. The permeate is then subjected to reverse osmosis using a membrane which is substantially impermeable to alcohol, while still being permeable to water. The concentrate from the second step is added to the concentrate from the first step to produce a liquid which has a higher concentration of alcohol than the starting liquid. The resulting liquid may be useable at said higher concentration as a beverage, or it may be used for transport and/or for storage, with water being added to thereto to restore the beverage substantially to its starting condition before being drunk.

Abstract: Alcohol is produced in a noncooking system by mixing a ground starchy material with mashing liquor at the range that the weight ratio of mashing liquor to ground starchy material is from 1.8 to 3.4 to form a slurry, without cooking, adding to the slurry at least 3.5 units as a saccharifying power of the enzyme preparation derived from a microorganism source, favorably Rhizopus sp., as a saccharifying agent, further adding an alcoholic fermenting yeast, and fermenting the slurry. Examples of the starchy material are cereals such as maize, sorghum, wheat, barley, rye, rice, barnyard millet, German millet, and common millet, and starchy rootcrops such as sweet potato and cassava.

Abstract: During the kilning of germinated barley in the course of a malting operation nitrosamines are usually formed and ultimately these end up in beer obtained from such malt. It has been found that such formation of nitrosamines can be suppressed even in the absence of sulphur dioxide when the germinated barley is treated with a solution or dispersion of saccharides before it is kilned.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved brewing process which utilizes an adjunct comprising a highly fermentable sugar. In the process, brewers' yeast is allowed to act upon a, preferably all-malt, wort until said yeast is partially developed, following which, the adjunct is introduced into the partially fermented wort in a manner which will not have adverse effects on the yeast and the brewing process carried to completion. The adjunct is introduced over a period of time such that the Plato value of the fermenting wort substantially does not increase and osmotic shock is avoided. The process is especially advantageous when used to produce the so-called light beers.

Abstract: Lauter tuns are used for the filtration of wort during brewing. In use the wort runs off through a filter bed and has to be collected. Hitherto the bottom of such tuns have been flat having a number of holes through which the wort runs. If the bottom is ostensibly flat, problems can arise in that puddles accumulate in any undulations leading to possible spoilation of the wort. The bottom of a tun in accordance with the invention is formed with a series of straight parallel valleys extending across the tun and having spaced wort collection points for connection to straight wort mains or manifolds located beneath the tun.

Abstract: A neutral tasting alcoholic beverage prepared by mashing a well modified standard brewers malt, with hops and water at a temperature of 40.degree. C. to 45.degree. C. for a period of time of between 10 to 30 minutes, and thereafter raising the temperature to from 60.degree. C. to 62.degree. C. to obtain a wort. The wort, in an amount of from 2% to 20%, is mixed with a fermentable carbohydrate and water at a temperature of between 80.degree. C. and 90.degree. C. in an amount of from 80% to 98%, to obtain a fermentable solution, which is then cooled to between 14.degree. C. to 20.degree. C., and pitched with brewers yeast. It is then fermented for from 4 to 8 days at from 14.degree. C. to 20.degree. C. and thereafter cooled to 0.degree. C. for from 4 to 7 days, and filtered to obtain the neutral tasting alcoholic beverage.

Abstract: A composition and method for preserving hops at room temperature utilizes the inherent properties of fermentable hydroscopic powders to retain essential volatile oils and hop acids for extended periods of time. The composition is an intimate mixture of a fermentable hydroscopic powder such as maltose and dextrose and granulated hops having a low moisture content. This composition is prepared by reducing the size of the hops to a granular size and mixing the hops intimately with an equal or greater weight of hydroscopic powder.

Abstract: A method of continuous treatment of grain mash for production of ethanol includes enzymatic liquefying of starch-containing particles of raw material in a liquefying container, separating not decomposed coarser particles of raw material in the container, withdrawing the coarse particles of raw material from the container and comminuting the same, and recirculating the comminuted particles of raw material into the container. The starch-containing particles are not ground very fine such as to pass through 1-3 mm diameter sieve openings, and coarse particles withdrawn from the container are comminuted to a fine particle size preferably with a wet comminuting device. By this method, fine particles are obtained with low energy consumption.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for mashing starch-rich material, for example whole grain or partially crushed grain, when manufacturing alcohol. The method has a very low energy consumption, because the amount of water added to the starch-rich material in the beginning of the mashing stage is low. High pressure steam and a short processing time are used to keep the starch-rich material to water ratio during the processing stage below 1:2 because very little water is condensed from the water vapor during a short period. The mashed material is finally broken down by "shooting" the material from the reactor by using pressurized air.

Abstract: The specification discloses a novel brewers' yeast strain and a method of manufacturing the same. The yeast is a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and has been deposited at the National Collection of Yeast Cultures, Norwich, England under the number 962. Morphologically the giant colony of the novel strain can be described as a circular colony having a slightly serrated periphery, a convex surface topography with a central, globular dome and exhibiting primary concentric convolutions and secondary radial convolutions which, in combination, impart a rough appearance to the surface. The novel ale strain has the advantages that it is effective in worts having high plato values and is a bottom-cropping strain.