Determination of carbon dioxide in beer

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

Abstract

Two methods for the determination of carbon dioxide in beer (and in other carbonated beverages) have been collaboratively tested by the members of the European Brewery Convention Analysis Committee. The two methods are the Blom method, which relies on titration, and an instrumental procedure using a Corning 965 D Carbon Dioxide Analyser. Both methods have been accepted for use, the Blom method as the reference method, and the Corning method as an alternative. From the data it has been concluded that for both methods the repeatability (r₉₅) is independent of the carbon dioxide content, whereas reproducibility (R₉₅) depends on the content of carbon dioxide over the range 3.0 – 5.5 g/litre. For the Blom method the values were r₉₅ = 0.10 g/litre and R₉₅ = 0.08 x m g/litre, and for the Corning method the values were r₉₅ = 0.09 g/litre and R = 0.08 x m g/litre.