Yeast distribution in cylindroconical vessels, new insights into fermentation performance and management

摘要

The progress of large scale fermentations is typically measured by off-line measurement of wort concentration. This assumes that during active fermentation vessel contents are homogeneous. Here is described, for three different lager strains, the results of monitoring of the distribution of viable yeast throughout a 1500 hl cylindroconical. Results are presented showing considerable heterogeneity for all strains throughout most of fermentation. The beneficial effects on yeast quality and process cycle time duration and consistency of management regimes which take this heterogeneity into account are described. Evidence is presented which casts new light on the relationship between yeast distribution and VDK metabolism.