Determination of anions in beer by ion chromatography

Submitted on behalf of the Analysis Committee of the European Brewery Convention

Abstract

A method relying on jon chromatography, with suppressed ion detection, for the determination of anions in beer, hast been collaboratively tested by members of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, the European Brewery Convention and the Brewery Convention of Japan. Prexidion values obtained for the determination of chloride, sulphate and phospate in beer were judged to be acceptable. Repeatability (r₉₅) and reproducibility (R₉₅) values for chloride were 5.7, 12.6, 12.5 and 15.0, 38.4, 36.8 respectively at corresponding mean levels of 68.7, 218.6 and 322.5 mg/litre. r₉₅ and R₉₅  values for sulphate were 7.5, 6.2, 7.6 and 44.8, 54.0, 46.5 respectively at corrresponding mean levels of 101.4, 205.1 and 122.6 mg/litre. r₉₅ and R₉₅  values for phosphate were 14.1, 11.9, 24.9 and 78.7, 53.8, 84.0 at corresponding mean levels of 411.5, 224.1 and 397.5 mg/litre. Whilst the r₉₅ value for nitrate was acceptable, the value for R₉₅ was unsatisfactory. The ion chromatographic method for determining chloride, sulphate and phosphate in beer is recommended for use and inclusion in Analytica-EBC as an International Method.