Filtration Challenges in Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer Production with a Focus on Different Yeast Strains

This study examines the impact of yeast selection on fermentation performance, filtration efficiency, and the stability of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer (NAB). Three yeast strains (LA-01, LoNa, and W-34/70) were evaluated for their effects on key NAB parameters like ABV, bitterness, color, haze...

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Main Authors: Christian Schubert, Jörg Maxminer, Matthew Aitkens, Andrew Maust, Bernardo Pontes Guimarães, Rahul Sen, Scott Lafontaine
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6797
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author Christian Schubert
Jörg Maxminer
Matthew Aitkens
Andrew Maust
Bernardo Pontes Guimarães
Rahul Sen
Scott Lafontaine
author_facet Christian Schubert
Jörg Maxminer
Matthew Aitkens
Andrew Maust
Bernardo Pontes Guimarães
Rahul Sen
Scott Lafontaine
author_sort Christian Schubert
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the impact of yeast selection on fermentation performance, filtration efficiency, and the stability of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer (NAB). Three yeast strains (LA-01, LoNa, and W-34/70) were evaluated for their effects on key NAB parameters like ABV, bitterness, color, haze readings, and filtration-linked performance. Filtration trials revealed that highly flocculating W-34/70 resulted in lower post-filtration turbidity, whereas LA-01 and LoNa (which flocculated less) required more effective filtration techniques to achieve clarity. Among the tested filter sheets, AF 31, AF 71, and AF 101 successfully reduced turbidity below 2 EBC. However, all NABs exhibited haze formation during storage, indicating the necessity of stabilization treatments. These findings highlight the importance of yeast strain selection and filtration strategies in optimizing NAB production. Additional pretreatment steps, such as centrifugation, may improve filterability for non-flocculating yeasts, while stabilization measures are essential for maintaining long-term clarity. This study provides valuable insights for improving industrial NAB processing and quality.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-c8dcf1d30a5f45aeaf163f27c464dca62025-08-20T03:26:15ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011512679710.3390/app15126797Filtration Challenges in Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer Production with a Focus on Different Yeast StrainsChristian Schubert0Jörg Maxminer1Matthew Aitkens2Andrew Maust3Bernardo Pontes Guimarães4Rahul Sen5Scott Lafontaine6Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704, USAFiltrox AG, Moosmuehlestr. 6, CH-9001 St. Gallen, SwitzerlandDepartment of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704, USADepartment of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704, USADepartment of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704, USADepartment of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704, USADepartment of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704, USAThis study examines the impact of yeast selection on fermentation performance, filtration efficiency, and the stability of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer (NAB). Three yeast strains (LA-01, LoNa, and W-34/70) were evaluated for their effects on key NAB parameters like ABV, bitterness, color, haze readings, and filtration-linked performance. Filtration trials revealed that highly flocculating W-34/70 resulted in lower post-filtration turbidity, whereas LA-01 and LoNa (which flocculated less) required more effective filtration techniques to achieve clarity. Among the tested filter sheets, AF 31, AF 71, and AF 101 successfully reduced turbidity below 2 EBC. However, all NABs exhibited haze formation during storage, indicating the necessity of stabilization treatments. These findings highlight the importance of yeast strain selection and filtration strategies in optimizing NAB production. Additional pretreatment steps, such as centrifugation, may improve filterability for non-flocculating yeasts, while stabilization measures are essential for maintaining long-term clarity. This study provides valuable insights for improving industrial NAB processing and quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6797filtrationnon-alcoholic beerlow-alcohol beerNABLABbeeryeast
spellingShingle Christian Schubert
Jörg Maxminer
Matthew Aitkens
Andrew Maust
Bernardo Pontes Guimarães
Rahul Sen
Scott Lafontaine
Filtration Challenges in Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer Production with a Focus on Different Yeast Strains
Applied Sciences
filtration
non-alcoholic beer
low-alcohol beer
NABLAB
beer
yeast
title Filtration Challenges in Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer Production with a Focus on Different Yeast Strains
title_full Filtration Challenges in Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer Production with a Focus on Different Yeast Strains
title_fullStr Filtration Challenges in Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer Production with a Focus on Different Yeast Strains
title_full_unstemmed Filtration Challenges in Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer Production with a Focus on Different Yeast Strains
title_short Filtration Challenges in Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer Production with a Focus on Different Yeast Strains
title_sort filtration challenges in non alcoholic and low alcohol beer production with a focus on different yeast strains
topic filtration
non-alcoholic beer
low-alcohol beer
NABLAB
beer
yeast
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6797
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