Different methods for different needs
When you think about beer production, maintaining the integrity and quality of the final product is the number one concern of all breweries. And there are two different ways to achieve that: sterile filtration and pasteurization. All you have to do is choose which method suits you best.
Both techniques aim to eliminate microorganisms and stabilize the beer, but they differ significantly in their approach, and they can have a big impact on a beer’s flavor.
Let’s delve a bit more into what each of these techniques can offer you.
Advantages of sterile filtration
Sterile filtration involves the removal of microorganisms, including bacteria and yeast, from the beer using specialized filters with pore sizes small enough to trap these contaminants. This process occurs after fermentation and conditioning, ensuring that the beer remains free from microbial spoilage.
The core components of a sterile filtration system typically include: Filter housings, pleated membrane filter cartridges, pre-filters and pumps.
Regarding the advantages of this method: Sterile filtration allows breweries to maintain the fresh taste and aroma of their beers by selectively removing unwanted microorganisms while preserving the desirable flavor. Additionally, unlike pasteurization, sterile filtration does not subject the beer to heat, minimizing the risk of flavor alteration or degradation. Sterile filtration also presents a less energy-intensive option compared to pasteurization. This can lead to cost savings for breweries in terms of reduced energy consumption and potentially faster processing times, as there is no need to heat up and subsequently cool down the product.
Advantages of Pasteurization
Pasteurization is the method of subjecting the beer to heat to eliminate microorganisms that could cause spoilage or fermentation post-packaging. This can be achieved through flash pasteurization or tunnel pasteurization depending on the brewery’s production scale and equipment.
Flash pasteurization involves quickly heating the beer to a microbial inactivation temperature, typically between 60°C/ 140 °F to 72°C/ 161,6 °F , and then rapidly cooling it back down to a temperature that preserves its sensory qualities. The equipment that is used in flash pasteurization is: Plate heat exchanger, temperature control system, pumps, and cooling system.
Tunnel pasteurization involves passing sealed bottles or cans of beer through a heated tunnel on a conveyor belt. The products are gradually heated to the pasteurization temperature by hot water or steam and then slowly cooled to room temperature. The equipment that is used in tunnel pasteurization is: pasteurization tunnel, water spray system, cooling zone, and conveyor system.
Pasteurization can effectively extend the shelf life of beers. The end product can last longer while ensuring the quality. Additionally, with pasteurizing your beer you can achieve consistency in the quality and flavor across batches. This helps mass-produced beers with longer distribution chains. Pasteurization is particularly advantageous for breweries that distribute their products over long distances or those that cannot control the storage conditions of their beer post-distribution.
Choosing the right approach for your brewery
When deciding between sterile filtration and pasteurization, you should consider what are your production goals, your target market, and of course your brand identity. While pasteurization ensures microbiological stability and extended shelf life, sterile filtration offers a gentler approach that preserves the beer's natural flavors and characteristics, making it particularly appealing for breweries that would like to preserve the nuances and complexities that define craft and artisanal brews.
In the end, all you have to do is consider your brewery’s needs. If you want to preserve the raw authenticity of your beer sterile filtration can offer you microbial control without compromising the flavor.
At Atlas Copco, we understand the importance of quality filtration solutions for breweries, and our range of process filters is tailored to meet the unique needs of the beer industry. Contact us today to discover how our innovative filtration technology can help you maintain the quality and consistency of your brews.
