Sensory Analysis Coupled with Gas Chromatography/Mass spectrometry Analysis in Craft Beer Evaluation

Abstract

The beer market today shows extremely diverse styles and offers many possibilities for consumers to try new aromas and tastes. Most modern breweries have a similar technology and equipment and use quality raw materials, but the differences between beers’ physical–chemical properties are always detectable. In ensuring the same beer quality is being delivered to the consumers, sensory analysis is in some cases even more important than the chemical or physical–chemical analysis, since consumers focus on constant quality and sensory properties of their chosen beer. Sensory evaluation is not an easy task and involves flexible methods for determination of differences and changes between beers. It is commonly used in breweries to provide a constant quality in finished products, but also to ensure the quality of different raw materials (water, malt, hops) and to minimize the influence of the production process on final quality of beer. The results of this research indicate that sensory analysis is of great importance, since sheer physical–chemical analysis can be outweighed by it. Certain beers that showed that, despite a high concentration of off-flavors (e.g., dimethylsulphide), the overall sensory score was not affected (10/Koelsch style) while for some beers, a small excess of a sensory threshold lead to extreme sensory deterioration (sample 4/Lager).