Abstract: Assembly for regulating flow of hops into a fermentation vessel includes a hollow cross-shaped connector including a first cylindrical housing intersecting a second cylindrical housing at an approximate right angle. A rotary shaft coaxially mounted within the first cylindrical housing supports a hub and uniformly spaced vanes at a proximal end with outer ends of each vane adapted to sweep in close engagement with an inner wall of the first cylindrical housing. An actuator coupled to a distal end of the shaft is configured to control rotation of the shaft to control flow of hops from a hopper configured for holding hops into a hatch of a fermentation vessel configured for holding fermenting fluid. An outlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to the hatch of the fermentation vessel, and an inlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to an aperture of the hopper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new products and processes for making and using hop extract products comprising hop oils present in amounts between about 6 mL/100 g to about 40 mL/100 g, or more. The oil enriched hop extracts of the present invention also contain higher proportions of oil relative to other hop components typically found in hop extracts. Production of the oil enriched hop extracts may comprise a partial or a first extraction of hop materials. In one preferred embodiment, such extraction may occur under pressures of 1700 psi to about 3700 psi for less than three hours. The enriched oil extracts of the present invention can be used to produce beers having enhanced aroma and flavor profiles. The present invention also relates to products and processes for making and using second extractions of hop materials comprising alpha acids present in amounts of, for example, about 50% to about 70% (w/w).

Abstract: A submersion conveyor system for processing materials that need to be completely submersed in a processing liquid, such as food products, the submersion conveyor system providing a continual looping motion with a conveyor belt and flights providing a semi-enclosed volume for containing the material to be processed, the semi-enclosed volume containing the material to be processed being completely submersed in at least a portion of a processing tank during operation to provide a washing, rinsing, coating, treating, sanitizing and/or chilling or heating of the processing materials.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for obtaining a minimum concentration of 20.10?6 kg/L of iso-?-acids in a liquid composition. The process includes mixing in water a natural source of ?-acids and at least one metal oxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extraction into an aqueous medium of hop acids from a hop acids containing matter and for dissolution in an aqueous medium of hop acids, comprising contacting a hop acids containing matter with carbon-containing chemical substances having at least one functional group containing a nitrogen atom with a lone electron pair and at least one other polar and/or hydrophilic functional group, thereby forming complexes of hop acids with the carbon-containing chemical substances with at least one functional group containing a nitrogen atom with a lone electron pair and at least one other polar and/or hydrophilic functional group. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing a brewed beverage, particularly for brewing a beer, and in particular to a method to improve the utilization of hop acids, including alpha-acids and iso-alpha-acids, in the brewing process.

Abstract: A method for producing a beer-taste beverage characterized in that the method includes adding a hop selected based on hop plant age; and a method for adjusting aroma and taste of a beer-taste beverage, characterized by the use of a hop selected based on hop plant age. According to the present invention, characteristics of aroma and taste attributable from different hops can be made into different ones by using hops of different plant age. In addition, crops of different hop plant age having their own characteristics are properly blended, whereby a beer-taste beverage having preferred characteristics and intensities of aromas, and taste can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention proposes methods for obtaining concentrated polyphenol extracts resulting from the stirring process, through a step in which a partially purified beer is placed into contact with a resin that adsorbs the polyphenols, followed by a step in which the polyphenols adsorbed onto said resin are recovered. The invention also relates to the extracts thus obtained, which feature remarkable properties, as well as to several applications for these extracts.

Abstract: A process for the direct hydrogenation of hop resin acids in the absence of a liquid, organic solvent by reacting the hop resin acids with hydrogen in the presence of a noble metal catalyst at a temperature at which the resin acids are sufficiently fluid to allow easy mixing with the catalyst and suitably facilitate the hydrogenation reaction. Alternatively, the necessary fluidity may be achieved at relatively low temperature by subjecting the reactants to a high pressure of CO2 gas such that the quantity of this gas that dissolves into the resin is sufficient to substantially reduce its viscosity, the pressure of the CO2 gas being either less than the liquefaction pressure at temperatures below the critical temperature or less than that which would cause the density to exceed that at the critical point for temperatures above the critical temperature.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of beverage soluble metal ions in a diatomaceous earth filter aid is disclosed. The beverage soluble metal ions can be copper and/or iron. In the method, the diatomaceous earth filter aid is contacted with a hop compound selected from iso-alpha-acids, dihydroiso-alpha-acids, tetrahydroiso-alpha-acids, hexahydroiso-alpha-acids, alpha-acids, and beta-acids. The diatomaceous earth filter aid can also be contacted with and an acid other than the hop compound such as phosphoric acid. The iso-alpha-acids, dihydroiso-alpha-acids, tetrahydroiso-alpha-acids, hexahydroiso-alpha-acids, alpha-acids, or beta-acids bind the copper and iron metal ions and/or change the form of copper and iron in diatomaceous earth so the copper and iron are rendered substantially insoluble in a beverage such as beer. A method for filtering a beverage using the treated diatomaceous earth filter aid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for steeping barley having a container for containing the barley to be steeped. The container has a floor and the floor has passageways for flowing at least one of steeping water and gases through the passageways. The device further includes a water line system under the floor directly connected to the passageways.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a non-alcohol, beer-taste beverage having Shimari in taste. It provides a non-alcohol beer-taste beverage having a weight ratio of the polyphenol(s) to the total amount of the extract component(s) in a specific range.

Abstract: To provide an extract or other substance that can impart not only bitterness and aroma but also taste elements such as koku and robustness without increasing astringency or harshness, and to provide a beverage having superior koku and robustness. Increasing hop-derived polyphenols, particularly trimeric proanthocyanidin makes it possible to provide beverages with koku and robustness without increasing astringency or lingering aftertaste.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a non-alcohol beer-taste beverage having a low saccharide content and a low calorie content, and that has a snappiness. The present invention provides a non-alcohol beer-taste beverage having a total amount of an extract component(s) in a specific range, and comprising a monosaccharide(s), a disaccharide(s), and a trisaccharide(s) at a specific saccharide composition.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a non-alcohol beer-taste beverage having a low saccharide content and a low calorie content, and that has an improved finish. The present invention provides a non-alcohol beer-taste beverage having an ? acid content in a specific range and a total amount of an extract component(s) in a specific range.

Abstract: A hop resin-based substance has the soft resin at least substantially removed such that the hard resin is present in an enriched state, the hard resin is enriched in terms of the water-insoluble constituents and xanthohumol has been, at least substantially, removed. The substance allows both very balanced bitterness to be adjusted and it does not constitute any optical impairment of beer due to insoluble matter caused by xanthohumol.

Abstract: The present invention is an extracted hop powder which has one or more hop acids blended back. This hop acid powder is flowable, does not cake-up and is more stable than hop powder that has not been extracted.

Abstract: There is provided a non-fermented carbonated beverage comprising: an aqueous fruit or vegetable sugar-containing extract, a flavouring agent and a foam stabiliser, wherein, if the aqueous fruit or vegetable sugar-containing extract is produced from malted grain, the extract is not a lager wort. Also provided is a non-fermented concentrated beverage formulation comprising a concentrated aqueous fruit or vegetable sugar-containing extract; a flavouring agent; and a foam stabiliser, wherein the concentrated beverage formulation can be diluted with water and carbonated to form a non-fermented carbonated beverage.

Abstract: A method for producing a beer-taste beverage characterized in that the method includes adding a hop selected based on hop plant age; and a method for adjusting aroma and taste of a beer-taste beverage, characterized by the use of a hop selected based on hop plant age. According to the present invention, characteristics of aroma and taste attributable from different hops can be made into different ones by using hops of different plant age. In addition, crops of different hop plant age having their own characteristics are properly blended, whereby a beer-taste beverage having preferred characteristics and intensities of aromas, and taste can be provided.

Abstract: There has always been an energy cost to the heating associated with brewing either fermented or unfermented beverages. A novel method brewing is described in an effort to reduce or eliminate this energy cost by using the free and renewable source of energy: solar power. Included in this method is solar energy produced wort, solar roasted grains and roasted hops. Also described is a novel fermentation product, specifically a beer product. Also presented is a system that provides an environmentally sound inexpensive source of heat for wort production, roasting grains and roasting hops. This system creates roasted grains, roasted hops and worts that are different from those created by other known heating methods. Described is a method of brewing that is a combination of wort production, grain roasting and roasted hops using solar power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adding hops in beer manufacture, having the following process steps; a) separation of a sub-quantity (07a) of water and/or wort (07) and/or beer as an aqueous fluid, b) addition of hop extract (10) in liquid or pasty form to the separated aqueous fluid (07a), c) production of a macroemulsion (13) of the hop extract by emulsifying the hop extract (10) in the aqueous fluid (07a), d) increasing the pressure in the macroemulsion (13) of the hop extract to a feed pressure of in particular higher than 100 bar, e) production of a microemulsion (17) of the hop extract by feeding the pressurized macroemulsion (13) through a gap or a valve (16) or by feeding the pressurized macroemulsion against a baffle plate, f) at least partial return of the microemulsion (17) of the hop extract to the beer manufacturing process.

Abstract: To provide an extract or other substance that can impart not only bitterness and aroma but also taste elements such as koku and robustness without increasing astringency or harshness, and to provide a beverage having superior koku and robustness. Increasing hop-derived polyphenols, particularly trimeric proanthocyanidin makes it possible to provide beverages with koku and robustness without increasing astringency or lingering aftertaste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hop extract having a reduced bitter taste which shows a fat absorption suppressing effect. More specifically the present invention relates to a hop extract oxidation-reaction product obtained by an oxidation-reaction of a hop extract.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional hair sustaining formulation having a liquid transport agent that carries multi-ingredients to hair follicles in order to prevent Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from attaching to receptor sites on the follicles of existing hair, hence promoting the protection and continued growth of existing hair—which otherwise would succumb to DHT attack and loss—rather than trying to re-grow hair that has already been lost.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of iso-alpha-acids starting from alpha-acids in which an alpha-acid containing hop extract is mixed with a carbon-containing chemical compound with one or more functional groups containing a (basic) nitrogen atom with a lone pair (or mixtures thereof), either in solvent-free conditions or in the presence of solvents and preferably under an oxygen-free atmosphere. The resulting mixture is subjected to a temperature of at least 278 K for a time sufficient to effect the intended conversion of the alpha-acid reactant into the iso-alpha-acid product. The present invention further relates to iso-alpha-acid compositions obtained by said improved isomerisation process and to the use of said iso-alpha-acid compositions as bittering formulation and/or as source to obtain reduced or hydrogenated iso-alpha-acid compositions.

Abstract: A barley plant including a mutant LOX-1 protein and that is deficient in lipoxygenase activity.

Abstract: Barley based beverages are produced in large quantities, employing highly energy consuming methods, for example in the malting and brewhouse facilities for kiln drying and wort boiling operations, respectively. The present invention relates to energy saving methods for preparing barley based beverages, as well as to barley plants useful in such methods. In particular, the invention describes barley plants with combined traits of null-lipoxygenase-1 (null-LOX-1), null-lipoxygenase-2 (null-LOX-2) and null-S-adenosylmethionine:methionine S-methyltransferase in one plant, which is particularly useful for energy saving methods to prepare barley based beverages, such as beer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tomato-based concentrates and tomato-flavored alcoholic compositions, which include the concentrates. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a concentrate including tomato solids and one or more flavoring agents. The present invention also provides methods of preparing ready-to-drink beverage compositions.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is firstly to dry the wort necessary for beer production and subsequently to re-dissolve the above for the further processing, in particular, the fermentation. According to the invention, the application of fluid bed technology is particularly suitable for the production of dried wort, in particular fluid-bed drying and fluid-bed coating. The advantage of said method for the production of granulates is that no loss of quality in the wort occurs during suitable temperature changes during the drying. The granulate can thus be coated with one or several further coatings, in particular with further flavourings. Above all flavourings can be encapsulated within the dried wort, such that the above is not lost on storage and possible transport.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided barley with total loss of functional lipoxygenase (LOX)-1 and LOX-2 enzymes, and plant products produced thereof, such as malt manufactured by using barley kernels defective in the synthesis of the fatty acid-dioxygenating enzymes LOX-1 and LOX-2. Said enzymes account for the principal activities related to dioxygenation of linoleic acid into 9- and 13-hydroperoxy octadecadienoic acid, respectively. 9-Hydroperoxy octadecadienoic acid represents a LOX pathway metabolite, which—through further enzymatic or spontaneous reactions—may lead to the appearance of trans-2-nonenal (T2N). The invention enables brewers to produce a beer having insignificant levels of stale, T2N-specific off-flavors, even after prolonged storage of the beverage.

Abstract: This invention describes natural hop products that are stable solutions of alpha-acids, as well as their preparation and their use for post-fermentation addition to beer for the purpose of improving the foam quality, as measured by foam stability and foam cling. Improvements in the stability (both physical and chemical) of the alpha-acids are described by incorporation of iso-alpha-acids and tetrahydroiso-alpha-acids as well as various brewery-acceptable co-solvents. The alpha-acids also improve the physical stability of the reduced iso-alpha-acids, including tetrahydroiso-alpha-acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an extract containing xanthohumol (XN), which is obtained from toasted cereal products, cereal malt, coffee or cocoa. The XN-content in said extract is in the region of 10 mg/kg-2 g/kg xanthohumol. The use of XN-toasted extracts enables the XN-content of foodstuffs and pharmaceutical products to be increased in a natural manner. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A hop alpha acid or hop oil content enhancer, which contains 5-aminolevulinic acid, or a derivative thereof represented by the following formula (1), or a salt thereof as an active ingredient: R2R1NCH2COCH2CH2COR3??(1) wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group; R3 represents a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, an aryloxy group, an aralkyloxy group, or an amino group.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a minimum concentration of 20.10?6 kg/L of iso-?-acids in a liquid composition, said process being characterized by mixing in water: a natural source of ?-acids; and at least one metal oxide.

Abstract: A process for preparing tetrahydroisohumulone compositions from a hop extract, which process provides an improvement over the extant art, and provides a tetrahydroisohumulone preparation of high yield and purity, which tetrahydroisohumulone preparation exhibits excellent physical stability, and is essentially free from undesirable lupulones, fatty acids, hop oils and degradation compounds.

Abstract: An antimicrobial agent including hop acids is disclosed that inhibits the growth of acid-resistant and heat-resistant bacteria such as Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius in a medium such as fruit juice.

Abstract: The present invention refers to extraction methods for classified extraction and separation of vegetal and/or animal ingredients by means of a multi step elution process. Particularly, the present invention refers to separation of vegetal ingredients, so for example for the extraction and separation of hops ingredients, using the vegetal self-cellulose as stationary phase. Furthermore, the present invention refers to the use of thus obtained hops extracts for the production of beers, enriched with and depleted of phyto-hormones, respectively, as well as beers enriched with xanthohumol.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing an alpha acid-enriched hop composition that contains a low level of beta acids.

Abstract: A mixture of the hard resins, lipids and waxes obtained by solvent extraction of hops can be effectively utilized in brewing processes to suppress foaming. The mixture is typically the residue obtained by extraction of hops with liquid carbon dioxide, or other solvents, followed by extraction of alpha acids, beta acids and essential oils from the whole hop extract. The mixture of natural products is at least as effective as silicone antifoams, and has been shown to improve fermentation rates because the presence of hop lipids has a positive effect on yeast metabolism.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is method for making an alcohol concentrate using a nested batch fermentation process, wherein multiple rounds of wort fermentation, distillation and refortification, is described. The rounds are repeated until the desired concentration of fermented wort is obtained. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for a continuous fermentation process, wherein portions of the fermentation are distilled and the remaining wort is returned to the active fermentation. This process is repeated until the desired concentration of the fermented wort is obtained. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method for extraction of hops compounds, wherein the distilled alcohol from the nested or continuous fermentation process is used.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for administering hop acids to alter the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract of animals and to inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms in the gastrointestinal tracts of animals. Also disclosed are methods of increasing weight gain, feed efficiency, milk production in mammals, and egg and meat production in poultry by administering hop acids. Also disclosed are animal feeds containing hops and hop acids.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an inclusion compound in which isohumulones are included in ?-cyclodextrin (CD). According to the present invention, there is provided an inclusion compound of isohumulones which is obtainable by mixing isohumulones, ?-cyclodextrin (?CD) and an aqueous solvent in a ratio of isohumulones:?CD:aqueous solvent=1:5 to 25:20 to 112.5, where ?CD aqueous solvent=1:4 to 9.

Abstract: The present invention provides a finings formulation comprising pectin and methods of using pectin in a fining process to produce fined beverages, particularly beers.

Abstract: This invention features a method of making hop powder containing stable alkaline salts of hop bitter acids and an edible carrier. Also within the scope of this invention is a hop product containing alkaline salts of hop bitter acids and an edible carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides an encapsulation composition comprising a fraction isolated or derived from hops encapsulated in a matrix selected from at least one of the group consisting of a phytosterol and a cyclodextrin.

Abstract: It is intended to develop a technique for producing a water-soluble polyphenol at high purity and with high efficiency in a short time from hop bract or the like which is a by-product in the beer brewing.

Abstract: An antimicrobial agent including hop acids is disclosed that inhibits the growth of acid-resistant and heat-resistant bacteria such as Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius in a medium such as fruit juice.

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: 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, “skunky” flavors but has otherwise similar flavor and physical properties.

Abstract: A process for the direct hydrogenation of hop resin acids in the absence of a liquid, organic solvent by reacting the hop resin acids with hydrogen in the presence of a noble metal catalyst at a temperature at which the resin acids are sufficiently fluid to allow easy mixing with the catalyst and suitably facilitate the hydrogenation reaction. Alternatively, the necessary fluidity may be achieved at relatively low temperature by subjecting the reactants to a high pressure of CO2 gas such that the quantity of this gas that dissolves into the resin is sufficient to substantially reduce its viscosity, the pressure of the CO2 gas being either less than the liquefaction pressure at temperatures below the critical temperature or less than that which would cause the density to exceed that at the critical point for temperatures above the critical temperature.

Abstract: A process for the direct hydrogenation of hop resin acids in the absence of a liquid, organic solvent by reacting the hop resin acids which hydrogen in the presence of a noble metal catalyst at a temperature at which the resin acids are sufficiently fluid to allow easy mixing with the catalyst and suitably facilitate the hydrogenation reaction. Alternatively, the necessary fluidity may be achieved at relatively low temperature by subjecting the reactants to a high pressure of CO2 gas such that the quantity of this gas that dissolves into the resin is sufficient to substantially reduce its viscosity. Particularly useful applications for the process are the conversion is iso-?-acids to tetrahydroiso-?-acids and rho-iso-?-acids into hexahydroiso-?-acids. The resinous products of the hydrogenation process may be readily converted to aqueous, alkaline solutions suitable for use in brewing beer.