The Influence of Hopping on Formation of Carbonyl Compounds During Storage of Beer

Improving beer flavour stability is an important brewing goal. Pilot scale brewing trials (50 L) were performed that focused on the determination of the influence of hop pellet dosage and dosage timing on carbonyl compounds in stored beer. The reducing activity of experimental worts, beers and stored beers appeared to depend on the hop pellet dose. Brews with lower amounts of hop antioxidants showed an enhanced formation of carbonyl compounds over the course of beer storage. A correlation between DPPH reducing activity and the content of some carbonyls, including the important markers 2-furfural and (E)-2-nonenal, was found. Fresh and aged beers hopped by different amounts of hop pellet doses were clearly distinguishable according to their carbonyl content using Cluster analysis. Results of the sensorial analysis corresponded to the analytical criteria values. Results of this study bring further evidence of the indispensable impact of hop antioxidants on the suppression of undesirable carbonyl compound formation in the course of beer staling, which can be significant in beers hopped by aroma hops. However, hop antioxidants are only one of many factors affecting beer staling.