The effects of hop-α-acids and proline-specific endoprotease (PSEP) treatments on the foam quality of beer

Abstract

Influences on foam stability and cling were compared by brewing trials investigating beer hopping rate, hopping type and modification of beer protein composition by the inclusion of a proline specific protease (PSEP). The comparison of the NIBEM, Rudin and lacing foam assessment methods with the level of hopping demonstrated the superiority of hydrogenated hop α-acids with respect to foam stability and particularly lacing. In addition, the NIBEM and Rudin foam analysis tests appear to respond relatively similarly with respect to hopping rate and hop type, with the NIBEM being somewhat more responsive in terms of foam stability measurements. The PSEP trials suggested that protein composition may only have a subtle effect on foam stability. Although more specific to haze active proteins, PSEP treatment in the small and pilot scale trials generally, but not always, resulted in a minor reduction in foam stability. This effect was not observed in 20 hL pilot and industrial scale beer productions. It was verified that both NIBEM and Rudin were positively influenced by increased levels of foam positive proteins. Although both foam tests were responsive to hopping rate and type, it is suggested that the Rudin foam test is somewhat biased towards foam positive proteins, particularly albuminous foam positive proteins (LTP1 and protein Z4), while in comparison the NIBEM foam test appears somewhat biased towards hordein foam positive proteins.