Abstract: The invention relates to novel methylene bisphosphonic acid derivatives carrying a styrene group attached to the methylene carbon. The novel compounds are useful e.g. for functionalizing polymers of styrene type, especially macroporous styrene polymers, by copolymerizing the novel derivative with styrene and optional crosslinking agents. The invention also provides for new crosslinking agents especially suitable for the said purpose.

Abstract: Beer is fermented by the use of yeast and after fermentation the yeast is removed and the maturation or lagering of the beer is accomplished by a continuous maturation process which involves heat treating the beer to convert all or substantially all the alpha acetolactate and other diacetyl precursors present to diacetyl, cooling the beer, and feeding the heat treated fermented beer through a reaction column packed with immobilized yeast cells at a flow rate which effects the conversion of said diacetyl to acetoin in order to lower the concentration of said diacetyl to levels which do not result in tastes normally considered unacceptable for a beer.