The Science Behind the Perfect Brew: Sterlitech’s Filtration Products

In honor of National Beer Day learn about the science of beer and how Sterlitech’s filtration products help.

On April 7, 1933, legislation went into effect that made it legal to purchase, sell, and consume beer and wine for the first time since Prohibition in 1920. To celebrate this achievement for brew fans everywhere, National Beer Day was first coined in 2009 and officially recognized in 2017. About 82% of beer consumed in the United States is produced domestically, bringing in over $10 billion dollars per year (1). With brewery facilities in the United States topping 9,000 locations in 2021, the demand for brewing equipment is higher than ever (2). Sterlitech offers a wide range of filtration and vacuum products, so that you can celebrate National Beer Day and enjoy your tastiest pint this year. 

The Science of Beer

Beer might seem mysterious, but it’s actually just a combination of four simple ingredients – barley, water, hops, and yeast (3). Before making beer, barley is malted by allowing the grains to sprout. During the germination process enzymes convert starches to sugars, and it’s these enzymes that will be used to supply yeast with sugars during fermentation. Fermentation is the process that yeast use to metabolize sugars, releasing alcohol and carbon dioxide. Different yeast strains are used to give types of beers a distinctive taste. Hops are the flowering part of the hop vine in the hemp family. “Hoppy” beers may be especially bitter or aromatic, an effect from the acids and oils in the hops.

Filter Funnel for the Perfect Brew

A key part of creating the perfect brew is strong quality control. Microbiological Filter Funnels use a gridded cellulose nitrate membrane, ideal for bacteria testing of food/beverages like beer and wine. It’s also recommended for microbiological analysis testing of potable water, dairy products, and soft drinks. Pre-sterilized and ready for use, each  all-in-one system easily converts from a filtration funnel to a Petri dish, which can be labeled and incubated for culturing. A time savings of up to 70%! Need a reusable option? Vacuum filtration kits can be reused with sterile MCE for the same application. 

 

Interested in making your own beer? These cool resources can help you get started

References:

  1. Industry Fast Facts. America’s Beer and Beverage Distributors. Retrieved from https://www.nbwa.org/resources/industry-fast-facts
  2. National Beer Sales & Production Data. Brewers Association. Retrieved from https://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/national-beer-stats/
  3. How Beer Works. How Stuff Works Science. Retrieved from https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/beer2.htm