What is behind the bitter taste of your favorite beer?
The first sip of a very cold beer can wake up various emotions, but what really makes the difference is that bitter touch that makes us frown. It all begins with hops, the magical flower that, after going through a complex cooking process, transforms its chemical composition and adds that characteristic flavor to golden brew.
Breice mathematics: numbers matter
Do you consider yourself a real beer expert? Well, mathematical formulas are your allies. The bitterness is measured in international bitterness units (IBU), and everything depends on the variety, quantity of hops used and the time allowed to boil. However, there is more in this story than only numbers, so don’t keep the calculator yet.
When bitterness hides
Even if you have a calculated theoretical bitterness, this can lose prominence if the malt content in beer creates a sweeter and seductive context. Therefore, several brewers have devised formulas that consider corrective factors based on the original density of the must. But, here comes the million dollar question: Is it really adequate to adjust the bitterness with a parameter that no longer exists when the beer reaches your glass?
The reality behind the density
The original density only tells you a part of the story. The true hero that masks bitterness is not those initial sugars, but the dextrins and other non -fermentable compounds that appear at the end of the fermentation process. Things like the maceration temperature, certain types of malts, and even the yeast you use, play a crucial role.
Innovations in the beer plant
In our distillery, Rusticus, we launched ourselves to the adventure of experiencing with different final densities while we kept the amount of hops constant. After performing multiple sensory tests, we arrive at the brilliant discovery of a new calculation method for bitterness that we call effective bitterness index (EBU).
How is EBU calculated?
The formula is quite simple and is designed to adapt to our innovations: EBU = IBU (1 – 0.007 PDF). Here, PDF represents the final density points obtained after fermentation, while the IBUs are calculated as follows: IBU = (gr x %u x %aa)/(vol x 10). Using practical examples, if your IBU mark 50 and get a final density of 1,015 (15 pdf), that will take you to an EBU of 44.7. That’s how it is! A final 15 -point density can decrease perceived bitterness by 10%!
The future of brewing flavor
As the evolution of the art of the brewery continues, it is exciting to imagine the new techniques that will arise to enhance and balance the bitterness of the beers. In a world where each drop counts, every small detail can make a difference in consumer experience. So, the next time you raise a glass, remember that there is much more behind that delicious sip than only bitterness. Health for beer science!