Non-alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, spirits) is a bigger business than most people realize. While it might not be in the billions of dollars (like the alcohol market), annual revenue for the non-alcohol industry is still over half a billion dollars, according to NielsenIQ.
Furthermore, that number is climbing. Even rising prices for NA beer and nationwide inflation didn’t dampen the momentum!
A possible explanation could relate to the increase in quality – which comes from efforts like flash pasteurization – and options available for purchase. Initiatives like “Dry January” and the expanding variety of high-quality NA beer options have also contributed to this trend, making the industry more promising for brewers.
Pasteurization’s Role in Brewing NA Beer
The process of brewing non-alcoholic beer is both an art and a science, requiring careful attention to detail to ensure that the final product is flavorful and devoid of alcohol.
While there are various methods for producing NA beer, such as dealcoholization, dilution, and controlled or simulated fermentation, the goal is always the same: maintain the characteristics of traditional beer while removing or reducing the alcohol content. This can be a delicate balance, since alcohol usually plays a key role in preserving flavor and stability in traditional beer.
Pasteurization is an essential step in the brewing process, as it serves to extend the shelf life and safety of the beer. Traditionally, pasteurization involves heating beer to a temperature sufficient to kill harmful microorganisms like bacteria, yeasts, and molds, without compromising the beer’s taste or quality.
This step is particularly important in the production of NA beer, which lacks alcohol – a natural preservative obviously found in alcoholic beer. By eliminating potential spoilage agents, pasteurization helps ensure that the beer remains fresh and safe for consumption over a longer period.
In the context of NA beer, pasteurization not only safeguards the product but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the desired alcohol level. Since some residual yeast may remain after the alcohol has been removed or reduced, pasteurization prevents any further fermentation, which could otherwise increase the alcohol content (ABV) in the final product. This makes pasteurization a key component of the NA beer brewing process, as it ensures both quality and compliance with legal alcohol limits.
What Is Flash Pasteurization?
Flash pasteurization is also called “high-temperature, short-time” (HTST) processing. In this process, liquid moves in a continuous, controlled flow for about 15-30 seconds while subjected to temperatures of 160-165°F, followed by a rapid cooling to between 39.2-42°F. This is different from ultra pasteurization, where liquid is heated above 284°F for 2-5 seconds before being brought back down.
A Flash History of Flash Pasteurization
It’s fairly common knowledge that Louis Pasteur discovered pasteurization (in 1857). The origins of the flash pasteurization process, though, aren’t as widely known. If you’re wondering who invented flash pasteurization, this method can be credited to the Dr. P. Phillips Canning Co. (It was originally intended to improve the taste of canned juice.)
Why Use Flash Pasteurization for Non-Alcoholic Beer?
Flash pasteurization offers several key benefits that make it an excellent choice for non-alcoholic beer production. It’s an investment in the longevity and quality of your brew, ensuring that the final product remains safe, flavorful, and shelf-stable.
Flash pasteurization rapidly heats beer to a precise temperature and cools it just as quickly, effectively killing harmful microorganisms that could spoil the beer or cause off-flavors. This method is particularly important for NA beer, which lacks alcohol – again, a natural preservative. By preventing residual live yeast from re-fermenting in the bottle, flash pasteurization helps maintain the desired alcohol levels, keeping them below acceptable thresholds.
Some of the main benefits for using flash pasteurization for NA beer include:
- Enhanced Shelf Stability. Extends the shelf life of NA beer, so it can be distributed over wider areas without risk of spoilage.
- Improved Product Safety. Protects consumers by reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses through the elimination of harmful microorganisms.
- Flavor Preservation. Maintains the beer’s flavor profile by killing microorganisms that could cause off-flavors, without impacting the desired taste and aroma.
- Controlled Alcohol Levels. Prevents any residual live yeast from re-fermenting, thereby ensuring that the alcohol content remains within legal and desired limits.
This pasteurization method may also help you bypass one of the golden “don’ts” for producing non-alcoholic beverages: Don’t add concentrated fruit puree or fresh-pressed juices to the fermentation process. But if this is something you are interested in exploring for your brew, flash pasteurizing the juice before introduction to the beer might be a viable option.
In addition to all these benefits, flash pasteurization simply represents a commitment to quality. Brewers who invest in this process are ensuring that their non-alcoholic beers consistently meet the high standards that consumers expect.
How Flash Pasteurization Works
Flash pasteurization works by quickly heating the beer to a temperature of about 160-165°F for 15 to 30 seconds and then rapidly cooling it. This brief exposure to heat is enough to kill most bacteria, yeasts, and molds without compromising the beer’s flavor, aroma, or color.
To flash pasteurize NA beer, brewers typically use specialized equipment called flash pasteurizers. These machines are designed to handle large volumes of beer and ensure that every batch is treated consistently and effectively.
It is worth noting that, while flash pasteurization plays a major role in the quality and safety of a brew, cleanliness has an equally important part. If proper cleaning and sanitation measures don’t take place, the beer can still become contaminated. Put simply, having clean bottles or cans in the filling process is essential for the process (if you want a product consumers can safely enjoy).
Flash Pasteurization vs. Tunnel Pasteurization
When it comes to pasteurizing beer, there are two main methods: flash pasteurization and tunnel pasteurization. While both are effective at killing harmful microorganisms, flash pasteurization offers several advantages over its tunnel counterpart.
Flash pasteurization is quicker, which means less time is needed to treat each batch of beer. This efficiency can translate into cost savings for brewers, as less energy is required to heat and cool the beer. Additionally, because the beer is heated for a shorter period, there’s less risk of altering its flavor or aroma.
In contrast, tunnel pasteurization involves passing the beer through a series of heated chambers over a longer period. While this method is effective, it can be more time-consuming and energy-intensive. The extended exposure to heat can also impact the beer’s flavor profile, making flash pasteurization a more desirable option for those looking to preserve the delicate balance of flavors in NA beer.
For an in-depth breakdown and to see which option could be right for you, check out our blog post on flash pasteurization vs tunnel pasteurization.
Invest in the Future of Your NA Brew
As the market for non-alcoholic beer continues to grow, driven by consumer demand for healthier and more diverse beverage options, the importance of maintaining product quality and safety simply cannot be overstated. Flash pasteurization is a smart way to achieve those goals and extend the life of your brew. Preserving your NA beer’s unique flavor, while ensuring the safety of consumers, is an absolute win-win.
By choosing flash pasteurization, you make a strategic investment in the future of your brand. The process protects the integrity of the beer, while also giving you peace of mind in knowing that your product meets the highest quality standards.
For brewers looking to stay competitive in the rapidly expanding NA beer market, a flash pasteurizer is more than a technological upgrade – it’s a commitment to excellence. No matter if you’re just starting out or looking to refine your production process, investing in flash pasteurization equipment could be the key to unlocking new opportunities and ensuring long-term success for your brand.
As you consider the benefits of flash pasteurization, you may have questions about pasteurizers. If so, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our engineers are just as passionate about beer as you, and we know a thing or two about building custom pasteurizers to exact customer specifications. If you want to know more, we’re certainly happy to help.