Determination of the filterability of beer

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

Abstract

A method for the determination of the filterability of beer has been evaluated by members of the European Brewery Convention Analysis Committee. The method is based on the filtration of a beer sample, with a standard amount of diatomaceous earth (DE), under standardised conditions. Repeatability of the test was quite good, however the predictive value of the test is still questionable since no direct correlation could be established between the different filtercake values and industrial filtration problems. No collaborative test was performed as the filterability has be determined on unfiltered beer; the test is easy to run, and as for the other filteratbility tests, day to day practice in a brewery will reveal its usefulness.