Beer we go
15 Jan 2000
Three Liquidata beer analysers from NDC Infrared are helping Whitbread make its blending process right first time at its Magor Brewery in Wales. Installed on filter lines, the analysers check the original gravity and alcohol content of Stella Artois, Heineken and Welsh Bitter.
The Liquidata system uses a near-infrared fibre-optic sensor connected to a microprocessor-based controller. Unlike other measurement techniques, it measures alcohol directly and stably, even during start-up.
The brewery is using the new system to gather trending data to improve its processes. It has already used this information to improve the control of water used to flush through the system between batches, through a more complete understanding of the behaviour of the beer/water interface, the company says.
