Effects of Accelerated Fermentation on the Chemical Composition and Quality of Beer

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of using a rotary jet head (RJH) on the biosynthesis of byproducts of yeast metabolism and their role in shaping the flavor and aroma profile of bottom fermentation beer (lager style). The tests were conducted on an industrial scale, with fermentation in 3800 hL fermentation tanks. Experiments were conducted in a minimum of six replicates. The main quality indicators, including ethanol concentration and pH, were analyzed, along with key volatile compounds such as acetaldehyde, esters, higher alcohols, and DMS. Additionally, beer samples—both those fermented using forced mixing and those produced conventionally—were subjected to sensory evaluation. The study found that RJH did not cause changes in either the final ethyl alcohol concentration (6.74% in both samples) or the pH measurement results. The rotary jet head increased synthesis of certain volatile components, such as fusel alcohols by 5% and acetate esters by 14% for ethyl acetate and by almost 12% for isoamyl acetate. On the other hand, a more than threefold (8.23 to 2.54 mg/L) decrease in the undesirable acetaldehyde was observed in samples fermented with forced mixing. The resulting beers exhibited statistically significant differences in chemical composition; however, sensory analysis did not reveal these differences. This finding underscores the efficacy of the rotary jet head in expediting the beer production process without compromising its sensory quality.