Quality Control for Beer Brewers and Breweries

Efficient Quality Control Solutions for the Best of Brews

Brew with Confidence - Spoilage Detection by Sartorius

The art of brewing and the science of microbiology are an interesting and dynamic partnership which has been centuries in the making, one cannot exist without the other. But besides brewer’s yeast there also lurk other microorganisms whose effects can cause detrimental changes in aroma and flavor and ultimately in the quality of the product. Any brewery, whether a craft, regional or multi-national, all share the same concerns that their product hits the shelf in prime condition and is safe for consumption.

Quality Control solutions by Sartorius help you focus on consumer safety and your own unique taste. Because taste is key.

Flow Chart of Your Beer Process*

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

Click the "+" icon for more info

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

icon-webcast

Tips and Tricks for Brewery Operations and Beer Quality Control

This webinar is a combined presentation of two experts from Sartorius with over 20 years of experience in the brewing industry.

Watch Now

Featured Resources

Pre-Filtration for Detection of Spoilage Microorganisms in Yeast Slurr...

ince 1994, Wachusett has grown to be one of New England’s largest craft breweries: expanding capacity to approximately 90K barrels annually.

Podcast: Tips & Tricks Beer Quality Control

Quality control is imperative during beer production. In this podcast, learn effective tips and tricks for finding contaminant sources and new testing...

Microsart® Manifolds: Adaptable to Your Needs

High Quality Solutions for High Quality Beverages

Contact an Expert

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

You are committed to creating high-quality beer 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 beer’s taste, aroma and quality. For beer 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 brewery applications in production and incoming inspection of yeast, hop, wheat, barley, corn, amylum, 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.
  • 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.

Read More

Moisture Analyzer MA 37

Rugged design, 100% reliable with small space requirements and easy operation in the brewery. 

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

Read More

e.motion Dispenser Membrane filters

Optimize water testing workflows and save time. Dispense filters automatically eliminating the need for manual operation. Brewery benefits include:

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

Read More

Microsart® e.motion Dispenser

Automatically dispense membrane filters for water testing in the brewery by touch of a button, hands-free motion detection or a foot switch to minimize risk of secondary contamination. Brewery benefits include:

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

Read More

Microsart® Manifold

Facilitate routine microbiological water testing in the brewery by selecting the manifold size (1, 2 3 and 6 branch). Compatible with all Sartorius reusable and single use funnels and filtration unts. Brewery benefits 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 in the brewery. Brewery benefits 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. Brewery benefits 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. Brewery benefits include:

  • Save time 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. Brewery benefits include:

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

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. Brewery benefits include:

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

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. Brewery benefits include:

  • Reduces time and handling as autoclaving of funnels and base is eliminated.
  • High speed sample filtration.
  • 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 microbiological quality control of water samples. Brewery benefits 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.

Read More

Prospenser Plus

Robust design and high-quality materials provide accurate and precise dispensing in the brewery setting. 

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

Read More

e.motion Dispenser Membrane filters

Optimize water testing workflows and save time. Dispense filters automatically eliminating the need for manual operation. Your benefits include:

  • High speed 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 by touch of a button, hands-free motion detection or a foot switch to minimize risk of secondary contamination. Your benefits include:

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

Read More

Microsart® Manifold

Facilitate your routine microbiological beer testing by selecting the size of the manifold (1, 2 3 and 6 branch). Compatible with all Sartorius reusable and single use funnels and filtration unts. Your benefits 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 beer samples. Your benefits 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. Your benefits 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. Your benefits include:

  • Save time 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. Your benefits include:

  • All-in-one design saves time and handling steps.
  • Available in different pore sizes and membrane colors.
  • Different ampoule media types available for beer testing.

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. Your benefits include:

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

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. Your benefits 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 of brewery samples. Your benefits 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 beer testing.

Read More

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

Prospenser and Prospenser Plus

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

  • Robust design and high-quality materials provide accurate and precise dispensing.
  • Lightweight and easy to use.
  • Excellent chemical resistance and fully autoclavable.

Read More

Arium® Mini UV Water Filtration System

Quality control of beer 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.

Read More

Filter Papers

To ensure the quality of beer, samples are removed from production and tested. Standardized methods and filter paper grades are available for different applications including removal of turbidity from wort, removal of yeast cells after fermentation and reduction of CO² or to degas the sample prior to tests such as density measurement or specific gravity. Common filter paper grades for beer testing:

  • Grade 6 - Fast filtration for Malt-4 analysis and degassing.
  • Grade 4b - Medium fast filtration for malt analysis.
  • Grade 3 hw - Medium fast filtration with  high wet strength and smooth surface  for clarification.
  • Grade 470 – Made of cellulose and diatomaceous earth for turbidity removal.

Read more

Cubis®️ II Premium Laboratory Balance

Precision Balances offer the highest performance for breweries. 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 to eliminate organic residues or spill stains.

Read More

Quintix® Lab Balance

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

  • 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.

Read More

Prospenser and Prospenser Plus

  • Robust design and high-quality materials provide accurate and precise dispensing for brewery applications. 
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Excellent chemical resistance and fully autoclavable 

Read More

Tacta® Pipette

  • Superb comfort and unparalleled reliability ensures minimal variation for brewery applications.
  • 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.

Read More

Optifit Tips

  • With a perfect fit and seal, Sartorius pipettes deliver the highest possible accuracy and precision for breweries. 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.

Read More

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. 
  • 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. 

Read More

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. 
  • 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.

Read More

MD8 Airport

A portable device to monitor microbiological air quality in your beer production area and at the filling line. Your benefits include:

  • Battery operated and portable
  • Ergonomically designed and easy to clean
  • User-friendly prompting with the option of four languages: English, French, German and Spanish
  • Flexible options for customized use, including adjustable air throughput and air flow rate
  • Storage of last-used parameters, even after automatic shut-off
  • Can be calibrated on-site

Read more

Cubis®️ II Premium Laboratory Balance

Precision Balances offer the highest performance for breweries. 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 breweries.

  • 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.

Read More

Entris® II Lab Balance

Unrivalled value and performance in Precision Balances for breweries 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.

Read More

Looking for More Beverage Quality Control Content?

Visit our Beverage Quality Control resources page to access whitepapers, application notes, videos, webinars and more!

Explore Bev QC Resources

Contact Our Experts

Further Beverage QC Solutions

Wine QC

Bottled Water QC

Spirits QC

Softdrinks QC

Please Fill Out the Form to Get in Touch