Enzyme designed for light beer brewing efficiency

04-Aug-2008 - Last updated on 05-Aug-2008 at 10:59 GMT

A new development in brewing enzymes can improve cost efficiency within the production of light beers to tap growing demand in the category across the globe, according to its manufacturer.

Novozymes claims that the all-in-one design of its Attenuzyme Flex product can reduce dosage of products and the time needed to breakdown malts during the brewing process, particularly for the production of low-calorie beers.

Soren Lund, regional marketing manager of the company’s brewery operations, told BeverageDaily.com that the launch of its first single dosage enzyme was specifically designed to offer production benefits for lighter products.

“We have seen the consumer becoming more and more interested in products that help them maintain a lifestyle where they can control their diet,” lund said. “Many consumers, especially the younger segment and women, prefer the ‘lighter’ and ‘crisper’ taste experience associated with light and low-carb beers.

According to Novozymes, the product combines a blend of enzyme activities in a single product, which work to assist the amylase present in malts to breakdown starch into fermentable sugars over a much shorter time span.

Attenuation

Lund says that by using Attenuzyme Flex in the beer making process, brewers can shorten the production or ‘mashing’ time for so-called highly attenuated light beers to the same amount of time required for producing regular beers.

Higher levels of attenuation, the process in which sugars are consumed by yeast, is a vital, yet time consuming part of producing lighter beers, a term related to a number of products, says Lund.

“These are beers that are promoted as low-carb, low calorie and light, but can also be brews with high alcohol content,” he stated. “These beers can then be lager or ale types, but that will depend on the type of yeast that is used.”

Plant impact

Novozyme claims that Attenuzyme Flex is designed specifically to help raise cost efficiency at plants by not only improving production capacity at brew houses, but also reducing energy requirements for the brewing process.

Manufacturers wishing to make use of the enzyme solution in their products also do not require any changes to the regular brewing process, the company claims.

The product is now commercially available globally, the company says.