Spirits Distillation Testing and Air Monitoring for Quality

Catch the True Spirit of  Quality Control

Quality Control for Spirit Distillation

For a Smooth Taste and Long Shelf Life – Sartorius Helps Keep Your Quality Under Control

Spirits are not prone to microbial contamination due to the high alcohol content, yet contamination can still occur in distilleries resulting in product spoilage or diminished ethanol efficiency. Routine testing at different points in production is key; from raw materials, to production and proofing water through to ambient air in the bottling area.

Trust your spirits with routine QC testing from Sartorius.

Contact an expert

Process Flow Chart for Your Spirit Process*

Discover the different steps in the spirits workflow and click on the icon „+“ to get to know the variety of applications and solutions Sartorius offers for testing during your manufacturing process.

*This workflow may not exactly represent your spirits workflow however generalizes the QC checkpoints

Featured Resources

Application Note

Microbiological Performance Testing of Membrane Filters

In Accordance with EN ISO 7704:2023

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Microsart® Manifolds: Adaptable to Your Needs

High Quality Solutions for High Quality Beverages

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Applications in Your Quality Control (QC) and Our Product Solutions

You are committed to creating high-quality spirits with consistent look, smell, feel and flavor from one bottle to the next. We are committed to providing you the products you need to ensure your spirits’ taste, aroma and quality. For spirits processing QC, we have solutions for the following applications:

Moisture Analyzer MA 160

A fast alternative to the classic oven drying method. Compact design for routine spirits production and incoming inspection. Ideal for deal for cereal graines, additives, sugar, solid process wastes and any organic sample.

  • Easy sample handling, designed for a secure and fast sampling removal.
  • Intuitive configuration and image-guided programs procedure.
  • Large 4.3“ color display, including touch and scroll functionality. Dry programs procedure are image guided.
  • Status light / acoustic signal shows status of analysis of the spirit process.
  • Achieve reference value in three easy steps with Method Development Assistant.
  • Better Clean Design - for easy organic removal from the heating areas.
  • Safe storage of 100 programs for different samples and 9999 results, sorted by date.

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Moisture Analyzer MA 37

Rugged design, 100% reliable with low space requirements and easy operation for spirits production.

  • Intuitive configuration and image guided programs procedure.
  • Large 4.3“ color display, including touch and scroll functionality.
  • Status light / Acoustic signal that shows the analysis status of the spirts process.
  • Better Clean Design - for easy organic removal from the heating areas.

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e.motion Dispenser Membrane filters

Optimize microbiological water testing workflows and save time. Dispense filters automatically eliminating the need for manual operation. Benefits include for spirits production include: 

  • Easy colony counting due to clear colony morphology and distinct grid lines.
  • High speed spirits sample filtration.
  • Avoid re-loading during a shift with 250 filters per pack.

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Microsart® e.motion Dispenser

Automatically dispense membrane filters for water testing by touch of a button, hands-free motion detection or a foot switch to minimize risk of secondary contamination. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Space-saving small footprint.
  • Easy to clean, lightweight and robust.
  • Available with long-life battery option.

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Microsart® Manifold

Facilitate routine microbiological water testing of spirits by selecting the manifold size (1, 2 3 and 6 branch). Compatible with all Sartorius reusable and single use funnels and filtration units. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Robust, full stainless steel material.
  • Easy assembly without tools.
  • Easy to clean and operate. 

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New Video: Microsart® Manifolds: Adaptable to Your Needs - Watch Now

Microsart® e.jet pump

Liquid transfer pump connects to Microsart® Manifold as the vacuum source for filtration of water samples. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Small footprint.
  • Adapt directly to the manifold, no need for a suction flask. 
  • Use Quick connectors to attach tubing and manifolds.

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Biosart® 250 Funnel

Reusable 250 ml funnel for use with a membrane filter on the Microsart® Manifold. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Can be autoclaved multiple times.
  • Large inner diameter ensures high flow rate.
  • Conical shape design ensures no liquid remains in the funnel.

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Microsart® 250 Funnel

Single use 250 ml funnel for use with a membrane filter on the Microsart® Manifold. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Save time in your soft drink workflow compared to reusable funnels.
  • Easy click fit connection.
  • No need to autoclave.

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Biosart® 100 Monitors

Ready-to-use sterile filtration unit combines a 100 ml funnel, lid, filter base, gridded membrane filter and a cellulose pad in one unit. After filtration, simply add  nutrient media and remove the funnel to convert the monitor into a petri dish, eliminating the need to manipulate the membrane. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • All-in-one design saves time and handling steps.
  • Minimize the risk of secondary contamination.
  • Different ampoule media types available for water quality control of spirits.

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Biosart® 100 Nutrient Media

Sterile ready-to-use liquid media in 2.5ml ampoules. For use with Biosart Monitors or Cellulose Pads in Petri dishes. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Eliminates time required to prepare media.
  • Saves space in the laboratory refrigerator.
  • Different ampoule media types available for water testing of spirits.

Read More

Microsart@filter

Ready-to-use sterile filtration unit in 100 or 250ml sizes. Combine a funnel, filter base and gridded membrane filter in one unit. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Reduces time and handling as autoclaving of funnels and base is eliminated.
  • Available in different pore sizes and membrane colors.
  • Reliable results as no liquid remains after filtration.

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Nutrient Pad Sets (NPS)

As alternative to agar plates, NPS are dehydrated media pads in petri dishes, packed in a double layer aluminium protective bag. Available with membrane filters for economical, time-saving microbiological quality control of water. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Eliminate time-consuming, labor-intensive culture media preparation.
  • Eliminates need to keep media pads cool during storage or transportation.
  • Long, 2 year shelf-life.
  • Different NPS media types available for water testing of spirits.

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Prospenser Plus

Robust design and high-quality materials provide accurate and precise dispensing in the spirts production workflow. 

  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Excellent chemical resistance and fully autoclavable 

Read More

e.motion Dispenser Membrane filters

Optimize spoilage detection workflows and save time. Dispense filters automatically eliminating the need for manual operation. Benefits include for spirits production include: 

  • High speed spirit sample filtration.
  • Easy colony counting due to clear colony morphology and distinct grid lines.
  • Avoid re-loading during a shift with 250 filters per pack.

Read More

Microsart® e.motion Dispenser

Automatically dispense membrane filters for spoilage detection by touch of a button, hands-free motion detection or a foot switch to minimize risk of secondary contamination. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Space-saving small footprint.
  • Easy to clean, lightweight and robust.
  • Available with long-life battery option.

Read More

Microsart® Manifold

Facilitate routine spoilage detection of spirits by selecting the manifold size (1, 2 3 and 6 branch). Compatible with all Sartorius reusable and single use funnels and filtration unts. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Robust, full stainless steel material.
  • Easy assembly without tools.
  • Easy to clean and operate.

Read More

New Video: Microsart® Manifolds: Adaptable to Your Needs - Watch Now

Microsart® e.jet pump

Liquid transfer pump connects to Microsart® Manifold as the vacuum source for filtration of water samples. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Small footprint.
  • Adapt directly to the manifold, no need for a suction flask.
  • Use Quick connectors to attach tubing and manifolds.

Read More

Biosart® 250 Funnel

Reusable 250 ml funnel for use with a membrane filter on the Microsart® Manifold. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Can be autoclaved multiple times.
  • Large inner diameter ensures high flow rate.
  • Conical shape design ensures no liquid remains in the funnel.

Read More

Microsart® 250 Funnel

Single use 250 ml funnel for use with a membrane filter on the Microsart® Manifold. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Save time in your spirits workflow compared to reusable funnels.
  • Easy click fit connection.
  • No need to autoclave.

Read More

Biosart® 100 Monitors

Ready-to-use sterile filtration unit combines a 100 ml funnel, lid, filter base, gridded membrane filter and a cellulose pad in one unit. After filtration, simply add  nutrient media and remove the funnel to convert the monitor into a petri dish, eliminating the need to manipulate the membrane. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • All-in-one design saves time and handling steps.
  • Minimize the risk of secondary contamination.
  • Different ampoule media types available for microbiological quality control of spirits.

Read More

Biosart® 100 Nutrient Media

Sterile ready-to-use liquid media in 2.5ml ampoules. For use with Biosart Monitors or Cellulose Pads in Petri dishes. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Eliminates time required to prepare media.
  • Saves space in the laboratory refrigerator.
  • Different ampoule media types available for spoilage detection of spirits.

Read More

Microsart@filter

Ready-to-use sterile filtration unit in 100 or 250ml sizes. Combine a funnel, filter base and gridded membrane filter in one unit. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Reduces time and handling as autoclaving of funnels and base is eliminated.
  • Available in different pore sizes and membrane colors.
  • Reliable results as no liquid remains after filtration.

Read More

Nutrient Pad Sets (NPS)

As alternative to agar plates, NPS are dehydrated media pads in petri dishes, packed in a double layer aluminum protective bag. Available with membrane filters for economical, time-saving spoilage detection. Benefits for spirits production include: 

  • Eliminate time-consuming, labor-intensive culture media preparation.
  • Eliminates need to keep media pads cool during storage or transportation.
  • Long, 2 year shelf-life.
  • Different NPS media types available for microbiological quality control of spirits.

Read More

New Video: Nutrient Pad Sets: For Quality Control of Beer Samples

Prospenser Plus

Robust design and high-quality materials provide accurate and precise dispensing in the spirts production workflow. 

  • Lightweight and easy to use.
  • Excellent chemical resistance and fully autoclavable.

Read More

Arium® Mini UV Water Filtration System

Quality control of spirits is essential for consumer safety. The water used for highly sensitive  chromatographic analysis such as HPLC, GC-MS, or ICP must always be high quality. Arium® Mini lab water system is a compact ultrapure water system for labs with requirements up to 15 liters per day. The option UV lamp (185/254 nm) removes TOC levels down to < 5 ppb. Key advantages:

  • Consistent delivery of high quality ASTM Type 1 water increases sensitivity of analytical results and minimizes chemical ion interference.
  • Comprehensive services include installation and  preventative maintenance for consistent and reliable water quality.

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Filter papers

Many analytical QC tests in brewery labs require a filtration step prior to the testing procedure to pre-process the sample. Circular, pleated filter papers of different grades are placed into a funnel leading to a receptacle and are used to remove turbidity from wort, to remove yeast cells after fermentation and to reduce CO² or degas the sample prior to tests such as density measurement or specific gravity.
The filter papers fitting best into your beer process are these types:

  • Filter paper grade 292a : FT-4-215-320
  • Filter paper grade 1289: FT-4-207-320
  • Filter paper grade 6: FT-4-312-320
  • Filter paper grade 4b: FT-4-309-320

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Cubis®️ II Premium Laboratory Balance

Precision Balances offer the highest performance for spriit producers. Fully configurable hardware and software ensure connectivity, compliance and confidence in results.

  • Avoid sampling errors with the largest 7“ color display with touch, scroll and swipe functionalities; graphic guided procedures/applications are built-in and dozens of QApp Packages are available including statistics, averaging, check weighing with counter and 70 others.
  • Status Center provides system info, notifications, tasks, and alerts. Advanced user management includes centralized password support, high security configuration and login rules with LDAP capabilities.
  • Unique, built-in, interactive motorized auto-levelling function up to 8 kg.
  • Easy to clean rounded edges and chemical resistance.

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Quintix® Lab Balance

Unsurpassed weighing technology for beverage producers available in Analytical and Precision Balances.

  • Optimzed performance directly out-of-the-box with Start Assistant, SmartTouch and intuitive applications.
  • Built-in applications include statistics, totalizing, mixing and density determination; menu lock function available to avoid configuration changes.
  • Easy to clean rounded edges and chemical resistance to eliminate residues or spill stains.

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Prospenser and Prospenser Plus

Robust design and high-quality materials provide accurate and precise dispensing during spirits production.  

  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Excellent chemical resistance and fully autoclavable 

Read More

Tacta® Pipette

  • Superb comfort and unparallled reliability ensures minimal variation for spirits producers.
  • Advanced ergonomics including soft tip attachment and light ejection delivers the best user experience. 
  • Adjustable to improve pipetting accuracy by accommodating for viscosity or liquid temperature .
  • With only three parts to clean, there is a low risk of contamination. Combine with Safe-Cone filters or SafetySpace Filter tips to further increase contamination control and prolong pipette lifetime.

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Optifit Tips

  • With a perfect fit and seal, Sartorius pipettes deliver the highest possible accuracy and precision for spirits producers. Further improve pipetting performance of viscous liquids with low retention tips.
  • Broad volume range and packaging options to suit your application and use.
  • Optifit tips meet the highest purity and quality standards.

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Minisart® Syringe Filters

  • Samples for HPLC, GC-MS, or ICP require proper clarification prior analysis to ensure high sensitivity and accuracy and protect instruments from particle load during spirits production. 
  • Minisart® syringe filters are optimized for sample preparation with maximum chemical compatibility to ensure high performance. Minisart® RC is optimized for aqueous liquids, solvents and a wide range of chemicals.
  • Minisart® NY Plus syringe filters include a pure quartz glass fiber prefilter optimized for sample prep of particle-laden samples prior to HPLC or GC . The polyamide membrane combines fastest flow with low non-specific binding. 
  • Minisart® SRP filters are suitable for venting applications and leachable-free clarification for liquids in a pH range of 1 -14. Minisart® PES offers a combination of PES membrane and PP housing and has a higher chemical compatibility than PES in MBS housing.

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Claristep®

  • Samples for HPLC, GC-MS and ICP require proper clarification prior analysis, however, to ensure high sensitivity and accuracy and protect instruments from particle load during spirits production. 
  • The Claristep® Filtration System can process up to eight samples simultaneously without any vacuum source or power supply. The syringeless filter and the simple manual processing enable customers to simplify their sample clarification. 

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Cubis®️ II Premium Laboratory Balance

Precision Balances offer the highest performance for spirit producers. Fully configurable hardware and software ensure connectivity, compliance and confidence in results.

  • Avoid sampling errors with the largest 7“ color display with touch, scroll and swipe functionalities; graphic guided procedures/applications are built-in and dozens of QApp Packages are available including statistics, averaging, check weighing with counter and 70 others.
  • Status Center provides system info, notifications, tasks, and alerts. Advanced user management includes centralized password support, high security configuration and login rules with LDAP capabilities.
  • Unique interactive, motorized auto-levelling function up to 8 kg or graphic-interactive guide up to 70 kg. Configurable electronic stabilization filters and lecture speeds for fast response in production areas.
  • Easy to clean rounded edges and chemical resistance to eliminate organic residues or spill stains.

Read More

Quintix® Lab Balance

Featuring the highest performing weighing technology available in Precision Balances for spirit producers.

  • Best performance right-out-of-the-box by its Start Assistant, SmartTouch and intuitive applications.
  • Checkweighing, statistics and peak-hold built-in applications; menu lock function available to avoid configuration changes.
  • Easy to clean and high chemical resistance disposable cover to avoid organic residues or spill stains.

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Entris® II Lab Balance

Unrivalled value and performance in Precision Balances for spirit producers backed by 150 years of German engineering expertise.

  • The only Balance in its class with an automatic internal calibration program, 4.3“ color touchscreen or LED touch display and  built-in checkweighing application.
  • Easy to clean and high chemical resistance polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), stainless steel and glass construction to avoid organic residues or spill stains.

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