What Is Thermal Pasteurization of Beer and Beverages?
Did you know that when you consume food or beverages that haven’t been properly pasteurized or pasteurized at all that you are more susceptible to kidney failure, or worse? So, why chance the safety of your products? If you’re a brewer, then you know that the quality of your beer is only as good as the ingredients and process used to make it.
The same goes for any other food or beverages that you may manufacture. Thermal Pasteurization is an innovative solution for brewers looking to improve their processes and ensure consistent quality in their products.
It is a great way to ensure that your products are safe for consumption. Let’s take a look at what thermal pasteurization actually is and discuss some of its benefits. After realizing how you could take your brewing production to a new level with this solution, we’re sure you’ll want some resources on how to get started with this process so keep reading.
So, What Is It And What Are The Benefits?
Thermal pasteurization is essentially a process that uses heat to kill the most harmful microorganisms in food and beverage products. There are many benefits of thermal pasteurization, especially if you run a brewery or manufacturing plant. To start with, the process is quick and efficient.
Unlike other methods like boiling, which takes up to six hours to kill bacteria in beverages that could be dangerous for human health (i.e., E-coli), thermal pasteurization only takes 15 seconds at 133°F/56°C to destroy harmful microorganisms such as yeast cells, mold spores, wild yeasts, lactic acid bacteria.
The most common way this heating method is applied is through hot water circulation. This is done where food products pass through stainless steel tubes before reaching packaging machines located behind closed doors on the same line. This means there will be no cross-contamination between products.
In addition to that, this process does not change the flavor of your product or its nutritional value. Another common method used by breweries and beverage manufacturers today is called High-Temperature Short Time (HTST). HTST uses heat exchangers with temperatures between 165°F-180°F (74°C-82°C) to achieve this effect.
It’s important to note that this process does not sterilize the product; it only reduces microbial levels below detectable limits. If there are no viable organisms left in your beverage, then you can say it has been “pasteurized” or “sterilized”. This is why it’s important to have a versatile piece of machinery when brewing.
Increased safety is perhaps one of the most known benefits. By using thermal pasteurization, you’re eliminating harmful microorganisms in your product, as we’ve mentioned. This will allow you to be sure that your customers are not at risk for any food-borne illnesses.
Want A Quick View Of More Benefits?
Breweries have been using different types of pasteurizers such as plate heat exchangers (PHE), tubular heating elements, batch tanks, among others depending on their production capacity and size which can vary from small-scale breweries to large industrial-size food and beverage manufacturers.
Hot water circulated around the product in stainless steel tubes for a short amount of time is all it takes to kill yeast cells, mold spores, wild yeasts, and lactic acid bacteria. If you haven’t already noticed, the main benefits are efficiency, innovation, and safety. Keep in mind that although the technique is highly innovative and efficient that it should not be used as a substitute for proper sanitation and hygiene practices.
There are additional benefits to utilizing a thermal pasteurizer in your brewing production. Let’s take a quick look at just a few more. Some of the other key benefits include;
Extended Shelf Life
This is another popular benefit that expert brewmasters enjoy about this solution. Thermal pasteurization helps to extend the shelf life of your product. This is because it kills what can cause spoilage or contamination.
By using this process, you can ensure that your product stays fresh and delicious for longer periods.
Reduced Spoilage
Thermal pasteurization helps to reduce the amount of food or beverage that spoils, which can save businesses money. Any pathogenic organisms that could be present are eliminated during the process.
Improved Flavor And Quality
Thermal pasteurization helps to improve the flavor and quality of beverages. Keep in mind that your product will be able to keep even longer.
More Environmentally Friendly
Thermal pasteurization is a more environmentally friendly option than some traditional chemical pasteurization processes. It’s also a good thing to note that it does not produce any harmful byproducts.
How Exactly Does Thermal Pasteurization Work?
You might be wondering how the process actually works. We’re going to explain and then provide you with five simple steps to conduct the process itself. As you may already know, thermal pasteurization works by heating food or beverages to a specific temperature for a set amount of time.
This is what kills what may be harmful in the product. The process can vary depending on the type of food or beverage being pasteurized. Typically it involves heating the product to a temperature of 71.67 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least two seconds.
Overall, thermal pasteurization is considered to be a safe and effective alternative to chemical pasteurization processes. So, what are the steps when making beer?
Step One
Sanitize your equipment. This is important to starting off any production cycle because how you start off the process could determine the cleanliness of other materials used throughout the rest of the cycle.
Step Two
Boil water and add it to your fermenting container. The water will help to raise the temperature of the wort (unfermented beer) to the required level.
Step Three
Add the malt extract and stir well. Make sure that all of the malt extracts are dissolved in the water before you continue.
Step Four
Place the container in a thermal pasteurization bath and heat it to 71.67 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit). This is important because the temperature setting is meant to deactivate any microbial flora present.
Step Five
Remove the container from the thermal pasteurization bath and allow it to cool down. You can then add your yeast, which will ferment into beer over around one week.
Thermal pasteurization is an extremely versatile process that can be used in many different ways especially when making a few craft brews, running a full-scale production, or operating microbreweries.
Up Your Game as a Brewmaster
Thermal pasteurization is a great investment for any brewery. It can help to improve the quality and consistency of your beer, while also reducing the amount of time needed to brew it. Additionally, thermal pasteurization can change the art of brewing beer, making it an even more enjoyable experience.
If you are looking for a way to improve your brewery, then thermal pasteurization is something worth considering. Contact us today to learn more about this process and how it could benefit your business.
Match Your Production With Innovation
If you’re considering thermal pasteurization to up your game in the brewing industry you’re making a groundbreaking step in the way you perfect your craft. With over four decades of experience, PRO knows how to make your job simple. We also know how to bring fun back into your production by providing you with state-of-the-art equipment and expert steel design.
If you’re interested in learning more about what could benefit your brewing production, no matter your brewing needs, click here to learn more from PRO.
For more information on tunnel and batch pasteurization contact PRO Engineering/Manufacturing, Inc. at [email protected] or call (414) 362-1500 and ask for Ed Michalski, CEO.
Edward A. Michalski Bio
Ed Michalski started his career in the beverage industry by designing stainless steel, higher flow, spray headers for Pabst Brewing. Along with the header design, he also developed a process to produce the new headers. Ed, along with his brother David, formed PRO Engineering/Manufacturing, Inc.
Based on what they learned by re-designing and refurbishing other manufacturers’ pasteurizers, Ed and PRO started to offer the pasteurizer marketplace superior new pasteurizers.
PRO Engineering/Manufacturing has been designing and manufacturing tunnel pasteurizers and batch pasteurizers for over four decades.
ABOUT US:
PRO Engineering and Manufacturing was established in 1977 by Ed and Dave Michalski as a steel fabrication shop. For more than 40 years, PRO Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. has been delivering solutions for beverage product shelf stability and consumption safety. As leading innovators in post-fill pasteurization, our skilled team offers the best in high-quality pasteurization equipment.
CONTACT US:
Phone: 414-362-1500 | Email: [email protected]
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