Validation of a Low-Evaporation Retrofit for Industrial Wort Boiling: Impact on Wort Quality and Sensory Attributes

Abstract

Wort boiling is one of the most energy‑intensive steps in brewing and is traditionally operated at an evaporation rate of approximately 4 % to ensure sufficient expulsion of DMS. This paper reports the first industrial‑scale evaluation of the retrofittable boiling system BubbleBoil, which generates bubbles via a controlled pressure drop at a ring‑shaped nozzle below the liquid surface, aiming to maintain wort quality at lower evaporation rates.

The retrofitted boiling system delivered higher evaporation efficiency than the reference system at similar evaporation rates, consistent with intensified stripping due to the increased gas-liquid interfacial area. Industrial operation achieved target evaporation rates as low as approximately 1.5 – 2.0 % while preserving wort quality, with no significant sensory differences compared to a brew produced with a conventional boiling system operating at a 4 % evaporation rate.