j.2050-0416.1906.tb02152.x
DESCRIPTION
stabilizationTRANSCRIPT
39
Scottish Section.
LIST OF OFFICERS.
(1908.)
Chairman: Bobebt Jeffrey.
Vice-Chaii-man: W. Balunqall, M.A., F.C.S.
Committee :
John F. Bbll.
J D. Cbomdib.
Johk S. Ford, F.B.8.E., F.C.S.
T. A. GlBNDINXIKO, F.I.C.
H. A. HEDLEV.
CHABLBS HB3LOP.
Jacod Kmnqlbu.
GeOBGB LOBIUBU.
H. C. Wilsox.
Hon. Secretary: Jon?f Doull, F.C.8.,
17, Chambers Street, Edinburgh.
MEETING HELD AT THE BALMORAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH,
ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24th, 1905.
Mr. T. A. Glendinning, F.I.C., in the Chair.
The following paper was read and discussed.
Wort Boiling.
By Matthew J. Cannon and William Fvffe.
The question of wort boiling, from its apparent simplicity and its
daily familiarity to brewers, is apt to bo dismissed by many as having
comparatively little influence upon the character of the beer produced.
The main effects of boiling—evaporation, destruction of diastutic
action, hop extraction, and sterilisation—arc so well known that many
brewers consider that theso exhaust the beneficial results to be
achieved by boiling their worts, and, provided they get a good
40 CANNON AND FVFFE: WOttT BOILING.
vigorous boil, and boil for a definite time, it is too often presumed
that the full benefits which the copper can bestow have been exhausted.
Throughout the breweries of the United Kingdom many methods aro
in vogue, and although thc3C may be reduced to two systems—heating
by fire and boiling by steam—the variety to be met with in practice is
proof that no very definite opinion exists as to the best means by
which the boiling of wort should be accomplished. As a matter of
fact, bo many arc the opinions, that one usually finds a brewer to be
biassed in favour of the particular system he employs. It is interesting
too, although frequently confusing, to refer to the many authorities
who have expressed their opinions respecting the process of boiling the
wort in the copper. The diversity of opinion is so unanimous that it
would be a comparatively easy task to present a very strong case in
favour of any system. The influence of fire and steam boiling respec
tively, upon colour, flavour, etc., has been frequently discussed and
different views expressed as to the manner in which they are affected
by the different systems, but although there is a general consensus of
opinion that the " cooking " of the wort should bo thorough, it is too
often assumed thjit thia object 13 achieved in any copper, provided
there is good circulation and vigorous ebullition. We have even
heard eminent authorities maintain that there is no difference in the
cooking of wort, whether boiled in a steam-jacketed pan working at
a low steam pressure or in a fire-heated copper.
In the present paper we regret that we are unable to deal with the
many aspects of lire and steam boiling; we wish to deal more
particularly with the influence exerted during boiling upon the
stability of the finished beer. By stability of a beer wo mean
pennanenco of brightness, flavour and character over lengthened
periods. We know that the term blight is frequently employed to
designate a beer which appear clear if not too closely scrutinised,
and permanence cf flavour and character is frequently considered
satisfactory if the casks are sent back empty from the customer with
out complaint; but wo have had in mind a beer of a more ideal type,
one which will satisfy the ideal of the brewer who subjects his beers
to continual and rigorous critical examination in the brewery cellar.
In general, there aro two methods of dealing with beer before
sending it from the brewery to the customer. In the one, the beer is
racked from unions or settling squares at from 7—10 days from
CANNON AND FYFFE: WORT DOILIXG. 41
the date of browing, fined and, in some cases, hopped before despatching
to the customer. In the other, the beer is racked, say, seven days
from the date of brewing, hopped and stored for a week or a fortnight
for conditioning, fined, and then sent out. Now, in cither case it is
absolutely essential that the boors should drop bright quickly in from
12 to 48 hours and that the latter period should not be exceeded.
The beers should remain brilliant or bright, and be perfectly stable
during a period of 14 days or a month, summer or winter. Usually
when beers are racked, fined, and sent out 7—10 days from date of
brewing, they drop bright quickly at any period of the year, but it is
our experience that, during the hot months of the year, many such
beers go back in 7 or 10 days; that is, they become hazy and invari
ably develop the well-known flavour so characteristic of frctty beers.
Sometimes these beers recover their original brightness, but even in
these cases a thinness is noticeable, and, upon the palate, a harsh,
bitter flavour distinctly apparent.
In the other case, beers racked, hopped, and stored for 7—14 days
before being fined and sent out for consumption, invariably brighten
quickly enough during the winter and spring season; but, during
summer and autumn, man)* beers thus treated frequently take
several days to brighten, and sometimes never become perfectly
brilliant.
Now, it is the ideal of the brewer to avoid these troubles. Working
by either method he aims at the production of a beer which will drop
bright quickly in the customer's cellar at all seasons of tho year, which
will not show signs of sluggishness during the hot months of the year,
and which will exhibit permanence of brightness and flavour for
three weeks or a month at least at any season. The brewer who
secures these results will satisfy his customers and bo spared the
endless worry and loss entailed by complaints and returned beer*.
That some breweries achieve and others very nearly attain to these
desirable results is well known to most brewers, and, we fear, we must
also admit that the beers of some breweries fall far short of these
requirements and cannot be relied upon for any length of time. Wo
ourselves can specify instances in which the ideal standard is closely
approached and could indicate examples of beers which are wholly
unsuited to the class of trade they attempt to satisfy. As the trade
and general public become more exacting year by year, all brewers feel
42 CANNON AND FYFFE: 1VORT BOILING.
the necessity of obtaining quick brightening and stability in their*
beers, for these are days of severe competition, and the consumer is a
discriminating individual, quick to note any point of superiority
exhibited by one beer over another. In a word, trade follows quality.
For some years we have had this subject under review, and the
results of experimental investigation and close observation during
the past four years have led us to believe that the differences in the
time of brightening and the stability of beers of different breweries,
so marked in summer and autumn, are duo in largo measure to the
different methods of boiling the wort, assuming always that equal
conditions prevail as regards cleanliness of plant and proper
manipulation of materials. It was the observation of one of us, that
when beers were boiled in a flask and allowed to stand after being
made up to their original volume, that considerable differences were
exhibited in the amount of deposit thrown out on cooling. It was
further observed that tin's test was a good index to tho stability of
a beer. Those beers throwing a heavy flocculent deposit, invariably
showed haziness and an alteration in flavour at an early date, whilst
those in which a very slight precipitate was observed were freer from
these defects over much longer periods. An examination of these
deposits showed them to consist mainly of albuminous matter. As
we were chiefly concerned in discovering tho reasons for the lack of
stability exhibited by certain beers, we took steps to ascertain some
thing of the different conditions under which the various beers had
been brewed Among the data accumulated, we found that there
appeared to bo some connection between the manner of boiling and
tho amount of coagulable matter in the beer, that is to say, that in
the case of worts boiled in a fire copper, tho amount of deposit was
usually inappreciable, whilst with worts boiled with steam at com
paratively low pressures, a considerable precipitation was observed
when the beers were submitted to the boiling tests we have described
above. Wo then determined to conduct a series of experiments upon
wort boiling in order to ascertain how far this determined tho after
stability of tho beer. Our experiments have been of a practical
character throughout, having been conducted at a brewery. Our
observations have extended over several years; tho beers produced
have been in every caso subjected to a critical examination, and since
many of our experiments were carried out in the height of .the summer
CANNON AND FYFFB: WORT BOILING. 43
season of the years 1902—1905, we think that our observations will
be interesting and of value to brewers.
Our first experiments wore carried out on parallel lines with a
steam-jacketed open copper, working at a steam pressure of 16 lb.,
and a fire copper heated by gas* We were able to boil about two-
thirds of a barrel in the fire copper. Usually a portion of the wort
was withdrawn from the large copper after making up. This portion
was well boiled for tho same period as on the largo scale, and, after
adjusting to the same gravity, fermented and subsequently treated in
precisely the same manner as tho bulk beer of the brewery. Henco,
we were always able to set up a kilderkin of a " fire-boiled " beer,
side by side with the usual trado beers in store. These experiments
were conducted during the years 1902—1903. During 1904 we were
able to continue our experiments with an open steam copper, fitted
in addition with a tubular heater. During this period we were able
to work at steam pressures up to 45 lb., and we made numerous
parallel brews working with 25, 35, and 45 lb., and our open fire
copper. During 1905 we have pursued the subject, working with a
pressure-boiling domed copper. In this the wort waB boiled at
a pressure of 4 lb., the temperature of the wort being thereby
maintained at 218° F.
During 1902—1903 wo conducted over 20 parallel experiments with
the steam-jacketed copper and the fire copper. In the steam copper
we were unable to work to tho full boiler pressure of 45—50 lb.,
owing to the marked tendency to fob which this copper exhibited.
It was not practicable, in fact, to work beyond a steam pressure of
16 lb. Although this copper had been used many years, no one
had ever suggested that its working was at fault. Circulation and
evaporation were good; even under the stated conditions the beers
produced were good and stood well in the public favour, although not
attaining to the high ideal standard we have indicated Looking
over our notes of this period, wo find that the steam-boiled beers,
when racked, hopped, fined, and put up on tap 7—10 days from date
of brewing, brightened in 12—24 hours in winter and spring, wont
back slightly in 8—10 days, but not enough to give trouble or
cause complaint. In summer and autumn, however, these beers,,
although brightening in 12—24 hours, generally went back very
much in 8—10 days, developing a characteristic frettj* flavour. The
44 CAKKOX A:%TD FYKFB: WO1ST DOILIXO.
beers—racked, hopped, and stored for 7—14 days, then fined
and put up—brightened 24—48 hours in the winter time and remained
stable two or three weeks. In summer and autumn, these beers
generally took four, five, and sometimes six days to reach perfect
brightness, and in sonic cases never attained to it.
The beers produced by fire boiling, racked, hopped, fined, and put
on tap 7—10 days after brewing, quickly dropped bright in summer
and winter, and remained perfectly stable for over 14 days during the
hottest periods of summer and for over a month in winter. The same
beers, nicked, hopped, and stored for 7—14 days, then fined and put
on tap, brightened in 12—24 hours in winter and spring, were drink
able in 24 hours in summer and autumn, and usually bright, and in
some cases brilliant, in 48 hours. Details of the behaviour of the beers
in tabular form will enable you to appreciate the differences :—
XX. Brewed June 10, 1903.
Hacked, hopped, fined, and put
up, June 20, 1903.
Si ea:n pressure, 16 1b. Fire.
June 21. Bright.
2G. Brilliant.
July 1.
3.
G.
Very slight
haze.
Hazy.
Dull.
Dull.
Brilliant.
Brilliant.
Brilliant.
Brilliant.
Bright.
Bright.
BA. Brewed Atujnd 8, 1903.
Hacked and hopped August 15,
and stored until August 22,
when fined and put up.
Steam pressure, 10 Ib. Fire.
Aug. 23. Thick. Slightly hazy.
Thick. Bright.
Thick. Brilliant.
24.
2G.
31. Slightly Brilliant,
hazy.
Sept. 2, Bright. Bright.
4. Bright. Slight haze.
These two gyles arc typical of the many experiments we conducted
during this period. The difference between the two beers is so marked
that no one will, we think, dispute our conviction that the boiling is
the determining factor contributing to these results. When we remind
you also that these results have been obtained upon the same gyle, and
that in many cases we fermented quantities of steam-boiled wort in the
same amount and under the same conditions as tho fire-boiled wort,
you will understand that we have not neglected to eliminate extraneous
conditions which might vitiate our deductions. Moreover, we wish to
point put, changes indicated by the eye wore accompanied by changes
CANNON AND FYFFE: WORT BOILING. 45
in the character and flavour of the beers. In every case these points
wore distinctly in favour of the fire-boiled beers.
We suppose that it will be suggested that such low steam pressures
are fatal to stability, but we would point out that it is within our
experience and knowledge that low pressures during boiling are by
no means uncommon, and we have experienced a certain amount of
scepticism as to the need of higher pressures, provided a good boil is
secured. It is, therefore, with considerable satisfaction that we have
been able to continue our work with higher steam pressures. In these
cases the open copper was fitted with a vertical multitubular heater,
and we were able to work up to 45 lb., the limit of the boiler pressure
available. We secured violent ebullition, a thorough splash-boil
keeping down fob, being maintained during the whole period of boiling,
the evaporation being nearly double that of the former system. We
conducted similar parallel experiments) but although we noticed an
improvement in the case of the steam-boiled beers, the improvement was
not so great as one would have expected. On the whole, we may say
that the beers were more stable, an opinion which was cdnfirmed by
the majority of those who were called upon to pass judgment upon the
respective beers. They were, however, far from attaining to the results
shown by the fire-boiled beers, our experiments with these giving
practically the same results as in the two former years. An example
taken from our notes will illustrate the differences:—
XX.' Brewed August 12, 1904.
Racked, hopped, fined, and put up, August 23, 1904.
Steam copper with benter.
40—45 lb. pressure. Fire.
August 24 Bright. Brilliant.
29 Slightly hazy. Brilliant.
Sept 3 Dullish. Brilliant,
9 Slightly hazy. Bright.
On examining these beers by the boiling test we noticed a marked
difference in the deposits. The steam-boiled beer gave a heavy
deposit, whilst the fire-boiled beer showed merely an inappreciable
quantity of a light amorphous nature. In many cases during this
season the steam-boiled worts showed deposits of a stringy nature
similar in appearance to shredded horse-radish. It may be asked how
46 CAXNOtf AXD FVFPE: WOUT BOILLVO.
far the character of the beers from the fire-boiled worts had been
altered. We give it as our opinion that, on the whole, the fire-boiled
worts gave a beer of a drier character; the steam-boiled worts, a some
what fuller and richer beer when new. The difference in this respect
we do not consider to be so groat when we take into account the after
deportment of the respective beers. We have no hesitation in saying
that the flavour of our fire-boiled beers was of a character which would
secure higher appreciation from the customer. It was distinctly
noticeable that, although materials were in every case the same, the
steam-boiled beers evinced a harsh hop bitterness which remained
upon the palate, whilst the fire-boiled beers wore of a much cleaner
and more delicate character; the fire boiling having apparently been
more effective in cooking the wort and in giving what we may well
express as the more thorough blending of the constituents of the wort;
and these conclusions were also confirmed by the opinions of those who
had an opportunity of tasting the different beers. Further, the per
manence of the " fire" beers and their freedom from the flavours
produced by changes similar to those which the steam-boiled beers
undergo, have left upon our minds a firm conviction as to the relative
qualities of the respective beers.
During the spring and summer of this year wo have been able to
supplement our work by the results obtained by the use of a domed
pressure copper working at 4*lb., a wort temperature of 218° being
regularly maintained. With this system wo noticed a distinct im
provement in the case of the beers racked, hopped, fined, and put on
tap 7—10 days from the date of brewing. During the summer these
beers still went back in 7—10 days, but generally were less hazy than
the beers produced by the two former systems. They recovered their
brightness more quickly and did not develop such a harsh, bitter
flavour after the haziness had passed off. Strange to say, however,
we did not notice such an improvement in the case of beers racked,
hopped, and stored for seven days before fining and putting on tap.
We arc quite unable to account for this difference, although, on looking
through tho results of the previous year's brewing, it is to be noted
that the beers usually behaved better 1)}' the former than by the latter
procedure:—
CANNON AKD FVFFE: WOltT BOILING. 47
XX. Brewed August 19, 1905.
Hacked, hopped, and fined,
August 19.
Steam pressure, GO 1b. Fire.
Aug. 30. Bright. Bright.
Sept. 3. Bright. Brilliant.
7. Bright. Brilliant
12. Bright. Bright.
14. Slightly hazy. Bright.
BA. Breweil August 26, 1905.
Racked, hopped, and fined,
September 4.
Steam pressure, 4 1b. Fire.
Sept. 5. Bright. Bright.
7. Bright. Brilliant
14. Bright Brilliant
20. Slight haze. Bright
Tlic beere subjected to the boiling test still showed a flocculent
deposit, but this was much smaller in amount than in the previous
systems, although still greater than the deposit from the fire beers.
The typical examples which we have recorded, which have been
selected from the largo number of brewings we have had under our
observation during the past four years, incontestable show how the
stability of beer is influenced by the nature of the boiling.
In dealing with the question of wort boiling, most authorities have
insisted that the temperature of the wort exercises by far the most
potent influence upon the " cooking." Instances have been recorded
where the wort in deep fire-heated coppers has reached a temperature
of 216°—217° F., but we have been able to demonstrate that with
very deep coppers fitted with tubular " heaters," and having excellent
circulation, that, although tho wort is raised several degrees above
212° F., the beers still show a certain lack of stability, and throw
appreciable deposits when boiled. But it must be remembered that
in the majority of cases the coppers are of such a size, and the gravity
of the worts sufficiently low as to make it practically impossible to
raise the wort to tho high temperatures which have been recorded in
individual cases whoro high gravitios and huge deep coppers have
been emplojTed. In our own series of experiments we found in the
large steam-heated copper, and the small fire-heated copper, the
temperature of the wort was practically tho same, viz., 212°—213° F.
But as we have shown that, even with tho small fire copper notwith
standing the low wort temperature, a very efficient cooking of the
wort was secured, as evidenced by tho greater stability of tho beers,
it is apparent that wo must look to some other factor than mere
temperature of the wort, to account for the marked differences
48 CASXON AND FYFFE: AVORT IIOILING.
between boiling with fire and boiling by steam. If the temperature of
the wort alone determined the " cooking " of the wort and the after
stability of the beer, one would expect that in a properly constructed
steam copper, working at a pressure of, say, 16 1b., satisfactory,
results should be obtained, since the temperature of steam at 16 lb.
pressure is 240° FM or 20°—25° above the temperature to which the
wort can possibly be raised in practice.
We arc therefore forced to the conclusion that actual wort tem
perature is of little moment so far as the stability of the beer is
concerned, and we arc of opinion that it is rather the manner in
which the heat is conveyed to the wort, which determines the
" cooking" of the wort, and fixes the stability of the beer. Let us
consider for a moment the conditions under which heat is transferred
to the wort in the systerns of fire and steam boiling. With a fire-
heated copper we have upon one side of the copper plates an intense
heat, on the other, comparatively cool wort. If the setting of the
copper is well designed, circulation of the wort is excellent, and a
vigorous boil results; but the wort momentarily impinging upon a super
heated surface is subjected to a high temperature^ and this we believe is
the secret of the observed differences between fire and steam heating.
In the latter case, even working with 60—80 1b. steam pressure, the
contact temperature never exceeds 279*—300° F.f whilst with the
firc-hcated copper the temperature of the plates far exceeds these
temperatures.
Schwachofer has shown that the temperature of the furnace gases
may be as high as 1100*—1500° F., and measurements of the actual
temperatures of the plates on the fire side showed that a limit of
400° F. was reached at the hottest part of the furnace, and tem
peratures of 270°—280° F. wore indicated at cooler points along the
flues. That contact temperature has an important bearing upon the
stability of the beers was confirmed in an unexpected manner during
the course of our experiments. The beers, boiled in our fire copper,
suddenly, and without apparent reason, showed a lack of stability,
they quickly showed haziness, and their character was not so
permanent; they were, in fact, little better than the beers produced
by boiling with steam. On investigation, it was found that the gas
burner employed for heating the copper had become dirty, so that
instead of burning with the usual non-luminous Bunsen flame, a
CAXXON AND FYFFE: WOHT BOILING. 49
luminous smoky flame resulted. In consequence, the bottom of the
copper had become covered with soot. Since soot or carbon is a bad
conductor of heat, it was evident that the contact temperature had
been lowered to a point approximating to the temperatures of the
surfaces of a steam-heated copper. We thoroughly cleaned the burner,
and removed the coating of soot, and with our first trial we again
obtained results which showed the superiority of the fire-boiled over
the steam-boiled worts.
In drawing attention to the unmistakable differences in favour of
fire boiling, we wish it to bo distinctly understood that we have no
desire to unduly laud the one or condemn the other; but we do wish
to direct attention to the conditions under which these two systems
are applied practically in our breweries. The old-fashioned fire copper,
whether small or large, was usually an efficient portion of the plant.
Its form and dimensions were based upon ascertained data and
experience; tho "setting" of the copper, the size of tho furnace, and
the arrangement of tho flues, the outcome of sound practical know
ledge. Hence the brewer was fairly safe in relying upon the craft of
the coppersmith and tho skill of the adept bricklayer who made u
speciality of copper setting. With the introduction of steam, however,
it is to be feared that the same technical knowledge and skill, upon the
part of the engineer and architect, has not been brought to bear upon
tho question of wort boiling. The prime factor in the employment of
steam is economy, and economy has, unfortunately, been allowed to
outweigh every other consideration. Instead of the well-proportioned
old-fashioned fire copper, we have a heterogeneous collection of vessels
of all shapes and sizes—flat-bottom rounds, flat-bottom boiling squares
and steam jacketed pans of small diameter fitted with wide shelving
lengthening pieces to increase capacity—all of which have serious
defects, and have been constructed in utter defiance of the principles of
circulation. Instead of effective heat being applied at the bottom of
tho copper, tho engineer has devised all sorts of means for applying
heat in various places; at the bottom, at the side and in the middle.
By tho aid of pans, which frequently cannot be kept free from
condensed liquor, of steam coils of curious shape and fantastic
arrangement, of heaters of various design, and by the use of steam
traps which are frequently too small or faulty, a more or lets
tumultuous boil is secured. But whilst it is a source of satisfaction to
VOL. III.—1. E
50 CANNON AND FYFFE: WORT BOILING.
the brewer that the evaporation is rapid, and the engineer takes credit
that the boiling is accomplished with a minimum consumption of coal,
it is to bo feared that in too many cases the stability of the beer
is defective since the cooking of the wort, upon which so much
depends, has not been achieved. When we add further that in the
majority of cases an effective and uniform pressure is seldom maintained
owing to the limitations of the plant employed, too small boiler
capacity for the work of the brewery, and sometimes the negligence of
the stoker, we think we have pointed out sufficient of the disadvantages
of steam boiling to convince most brewers that the conditions under
which 8team boiling is usually effected leaves much to be desired, and
that such conditions severely handicap them in their efforts to brew
beers possessing the requisite stability.
Wo have alluded to the effective boiling of the wort as " cooking ";
a colloquial term which will be readily understood, although its
significance is not so readily appreciated. Wo believe, however, that
the true explanation of wort cooking will bo found in the investigation
-of the changes or modification which the albuminoids of the malt wort
undergo when subjected to efficient heating. It is usually assumed
that the most important change in the albuminoids is the conversion of
a portion of them into an insoluble form, partly duo to coagulation by
heat, and partly by the influence of hop tannin. The precipitation by
hop tannin is, however, problematical, and the coagulation of the malt
albumins is not complete at 212° F., so that it is apparent that some
thing beyond removal of a portion of the albuminoids is necessary to
determine the stability of a beer. On examining a number of beers we
have been struck by the differences which they have exhibited when a
rough separation of the albuminoids is attempted. We put forward
our figures with reserve, as we know that the exact determination.of
any one nitrogenous constituent of malt wort is at present an
impossibility. By the use, however, of Stutzer's reagent (cupric
hydroxide), phospho-molybdic, or phosphotungstic acid, an approximate
estimate of the bodies belonging to the albumin, peptone, and amide
class can be arrived at. In the following table we give details of the
results obtained in this manner with beers boiled under different condi
tions in the brewery. In order to facilitate comparison, all results
have been calculated to 1055 gravity :—
Pi
to
(a)
Cupric
hydrate
precipitate,
Nx6'25=Albumins
(b)
Phosphotungstic
precipitate,
Nx625.
b-a=
Peptone
Totalb=Amide
Total
Steam,
161b.
0-086
0-228
0172
0*486
Fire.
0*080
0-118
0*263
0-461
Steam.
251b.
0-076
0-160
0-192
0-428
251b.
0-085
0-138
0'224
0-447
Fire.
0-067
0108
0-247
0422
Steam,
851b.
0-110
0*044
0-275
0-429
Fire.
0*087
0-061
0-269
0-418
Steam,
35
1b.
0*085
0045
0-238
0*368
Fire.
0-075
0-045
0-233
0*354
(a)
Cupric
hydrutc
precipitate,
3x625«
Albumins
(b)PhosphotungBtic
precipitate,
Nx6'25.
b-a=Peptono
Total
b~Amide
Total
Steam.
401b.
O'lOl
0048
0-268
0-413
401b.
0102
0-033
0*247
0382
Fire.
0078
0-068
0-251
0-397
Steam.
0-055
0*031
0-267
0-853
Fire.
0055
0-024
0-313
0-392
Pressure.
3*
0-080
0*141
0-206
0-427
3|
0057
0-128
.0-245
0-430
Fire.
0-056
0-120
0251
.
0-427
3- a 3 g
52 CANNON AND FYFFE: WOUT BOILING.
In considering the above figures, which represent the residual
nitrogen in tho beers, it is noticeable that appreciable differences
exist in the amount of the different types of albuminoids. In the
fire-boiled beers there is distinct evidenco that the residual nitrogen
exists to a greater extent in the more stable form of amide nitrogen,
and that the less stable forms belonging to the albumin and peptone
class are present in less amount than in the steam-boiled beers,
and it is particularly tho case with low-pressure boiling that the
albumin and poptone nitrogen is appreciably higher.
It is well known that the albuminoids of malt embrace numerous
constituents, including soluble albumins, albumoses, peptones, amido
acids, and amino bases. These have been derived from the insoluble
proteid of tho barley, partly by the changes during malting and
partly by tho further modification in the mash-tun by the agency of
the enzyme peptase. This degradation of the complex albumin
molecule into simpler substances of a more stable character has an
important bearing upon the question of yeast nourishment, since it is
the simpler nitrogenous bodies belonging to the amido acids and
amine bases which are more readily assimilated by tho yeast plant.
In the same way the changes in tho character of tho nitrogenous
constituents, begun on tho malting floor and in tho mash-tun, are
undoubtedly cotitinued in the copper, with, however, this difference^
that in the coppor this degradation is favoure4 by high temperatures
and the acidity of the wort. It has boon before suggested that the
possibility of modification of the albuminoids in the copper, other than
precipitation, is a point which should not be lost sight of in con
sidering the question of efficiency of boiling.
Windisch says : " About two-think of the albuminous substances of worts
are precipitated on boiling. This occurs in a very short time, pro
longed boiling causing a portion of tho albuminous substances to
redissolve, which leads to albumin and gluten turbidity" The italics
are ours.
Matthews (J. Fed. Tnst. Brewing, 1897, p. 388), in discussing the
nutrition of yeast, says: " The free acids of the hop and the acid phos
phates of the worts have a strong modifying effect on tho albuminoids
of the wort. The net results seem to be a not insensible reduction
of the total nitrogen, and a slight diminution of the peptones and a.
marked increase in the amides, and the changes are in all probability
CANNON AND FYFFE: WOUT BOILING. 53
favourable to the nutrition of tho yeast besides conferring on the
wort a certain stability of composition and protecting it in an extra
ordinary way against tho action of bacteria during the period of tho
activity of the yeast."
In the above quotations tho question of temperature is not referred
to, and in no published work upon tho subject of boiling has the
question of temperaturo and its bearing upon stability been referred
to. As we consider temperaturo, or more accurately the surface
temperature to which the wort constituents are exposed, to bo the
real determining factor, we feel that we may, without unduly
extending our paper, record a few analyses showing tho differences
in the nitrogenous matter of worts when boiled under different
conditions.
Coaguiablo
AJbumius
Peptone
Amide
Totnl
Mash-tun
wort.
0*063
0*249
0*245
0*187
0*74*
Steam boiled,
161b.
0 026
0-165
0*189
0*256
0*626
Fire.
0-009
0*146
0-192
0-254
0-601
Steam,
0-081
0-105
0-109
6-368
0*663
Fire.
0-035
0-092
0*123
0'365
0*615
In another experiment we attempted to follow tho mash-tun worts
throughout tho boiling operation, but there are great difficulties in
securing samples which will enable close comparison to bo made. In
tho following table the results calculated to 1055 gravity are given for
each copper:—
Albumins
Peptones
Amides
Total
1st wort
before boiling.
0*200
0*185
0-467
0*852
1st wort
after boiling
by steam.
0-156
0-170
0*431
0 807
2nd wort
beforo boiling,
0*247
0 *197
0*464
0-908
2nd wort
after boiling
by etcum.
0-J71
0*149
0*412
0*732
54 GANNON AKD FYFFE: WORT BO1LJNG.
The mixed worts before, and the beers after, fermentation gave as
under:—
Albumins
£optoncsAmides
Total
Wort.
0-1370'133
0*440
0-710
Steam.
Beer.
0 -0760 160
0*192
0*428
Wort.
0-126
0-130
0-446
0-700
Fire.
. Beer.
0-067
0*103
0-247
0-422
In presenting these results, which we are bound to admit are
incomplete in many respects, we have no desire to put forward any
definite theory to account for tho whole of the differences exhibited
when worts are boiled by steam and by fire respectively, nor do wo
wish to bo dogmatic in our suggestions as to the changes occurring
in the constitution of the albuminoids of the wort during boiling.
Much further work is obviously desirable, for the experiments we
have outlined open out a field of investigation, which, if continued,
cannot fail to disclose profitable and more definite knowledge of some
of the changes occurring during the brewing process. During the
last two decades, biological science has progressed with enormous
strides, and its results have had an important bearing upon practical
brewing. We venture to think, however, that this tendency to
consider the mere presence of an organism as tho sole determining
cause of disease in beer is erroneous and unjustified in tho light of
man}* facts of common practical knowledge. The attitude engendered
by this belief has led to the neglect of the purely chemical side
of the subject, and the important relation which the constituents of
the soil bears to the development of an organism has been overlooked.
Biological science abounds in examples, indicating that organisms
either do not develop in media which are devoid of constituents
necessary to their nutrition and well-being, or that their growth is
fostered by the presence of small quantities of some constituent which
they are able to readily assimilate. It is not, therefore, going beyond
present-day facts if we suggest that the work of the future lies in the
direction of discovering the nature of the food necessary to tho growth
DISCUSSION. 55
of disease organisms rather than the continued isolation of innumer
able species of ubiquitous organisms. In a word, we believe the
stability of a beer largely depends upon the formation in the wort
of constituents which are readily assimilated by yeast. By their
elimination during a vigorous fermentation by a healthy yeast, the
food necessary to the growth of disease organisms disappears. Our
experiments at least show that in specific cases, beers which were
exposed to precisely tho same infection remained perfectly stable,,
owing to certain subtle changes which had taken place during the
boiling of the wort by fire.
Discussion.
The Chairman, in opening tho discussion, remarked that his;
experience of steam boiling had been that a perfectly stable and good
beer could be got provided one boiled properly. If, as he understood,
Mr. Cannon's experiments were conducted with low pressure steam at
16 lb., it was not surprising that disappointing results were obtained,
and therefore he. asked Mr. Cannon if he had tried steam boiling with
an efficient coil or jacket, because fountains and circulators caused a.
great deal of movement which might bo wrongly attributed to a "good
rousing boil" and be productive of evaporation rather than true
boiling and cooking of worts. Ho (tho Chairman) had worked with
fire coppers and steam coppers at a pressure of 35—40 lb. side by
side, but had not found differences in brightness and stability of the
resulting beers. When boiled with low pressure steam beers were
undoubtedly apt to bo loss satisfactory than when boiled with fire or
with steam of sufficiently high pressure.
Mr. Fokd asked what the nature of the haze was which Mr. Cannon
took as a criterion of instability. Was it due to albuminous matter,
wild yeast or bacteria ?
Mr. Ballingal asked if the yeast crops from the first pitchings had
been tried in other brews, in other words did Mr. Cannon carry
forward his yeast from one experiment to another ?
Mr. Cannon in replj' said there was no doubt that they had a
thorough boiling in their copper working, it being a well constructed
steam jacketed copper. He was not prepared to say that a fire
copper was to be their salvation and a steam copper their damnation,
5G DISCUSSION.
as he believed that one could have a fire copper boiling badly and the
beer would be no better than with a steam copper, but in the majority
of instances he maintained the steam was applied in such a way that
beers of very doubtful stability were obtained. As regards the crops
of yeast, he was afraid he could not answer off-hand, as his colleague,
Mr. Fyffe—who had been unable to come north with him—had tho
control of all the practical work. In most cases the yeast was taken
off a previous brow on a large scale and used for pitching both
fermentations. He fancied there were some experiments made in
which they were pitched from one brew to another. In their
experiments it was not considered an important point, and he did not
think it had much influence on the nature of tho work. Tho haze in
the majority of c«isc3 was, without doubt, duo to the presence of a
secondary yeast, as the beers were not subject to gluten haze or resin
haze. In this particular brewery there was a pet secondary yeast
-which used to make its appearance and give this greyish appear
ance which was not appreciated. His point entirely was that if the
cooking of the wort and the precipitation of the albuminoids was
•complete tho beers were proof against thoanfection. Other forms of
haze did show at times, but it was found in the winter time that
fire-boiled beers were not subject to chilling but would remain brilliant,
while steam-boiled beers not infrequently showed haze. The experi
ments, he pointed out, were mostly carried out in tho summer time,
and the haze was not due cither to gluten or resin, but almost entirely
JLo secondary yeasts.
Mr. Ford, in thanking Mr. Cannon for his explanation, said that
probably this contamination by wild yeast might account for the
difference of result noticed by the Chairman and Mr. Cannon. He
was in agreement that certain chemical changes would bo brought
•about by direct fire boiling which would not be by steam boiling.
Possibly in the fire-boiled wort there might be a greater degree of
acidity, which as yet there was no way of measuring. It was fairly
certain that the initial state of the wort as regards this had a distinct
influence on the purity of the fermentation, and on the resulting beer.
A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Cannon for his paper and to the
Chairman for presiding terminated the meeting.
Mr. John F. Bell wrote as follows:—" In expressing my apprecia
tion of Me3srs. Cannon and Fyffe's valuable paper on wort boiling, I
DISCUSSION. 57
beg to state in support of same that my experience of steam boiling, as
regards the keeping qualities of a beer, is similar to that of the authors',
and although they seem to have boiled their worts at a low pressure, it
is questionable if a higher pressure would have produced better results.
I have boiled wort from 16 lb. up to 40 lb. pressure in deep steam
jacketed open coppers with the same unsatisfactory results at 40 lb., to
those whicli wo got at 16 lb., the worfc being actually at a higher
temperature than that given by a fire copper, which leads one to
assume that the difference in thorough cooking must be caused by the
very much higher heat which tho bottom layer of wort conies into
contact with when boiled by fire. In my opinion, however, the
question will never be satisfactorily solved until the actual nature of
the changes which take place during boiling is found out. That a wort
of greater stability is obtained by a lire boil seems to be the general
rule, and it is probable that brewers who have been successful with
steam boiling, owe their success, not to the thorough cooking of their
wort, but to the use of good sound materials, which in all probability
would stand even worse treatment than that which is given it by
insufficient cooking. The authors are to be congratulated on their
experiments so far as they have gone, and it is to be hoped that wo
vrill hear more from them on this interesting and important subject."