On November 8, 2024, the 103rd meeting of the MEBAK took place in Freising, hosted by Prof. Dr. Martina Gastl, Head of the Weihenstephan Research Center for Brewing and Food Quality. Under the leadership of Chairman Dr. Martin Zarnkow, 16 members took part in the meeting on site and three online. As part of the supporting program, the participants were given an impressive tour of Steinecker GmbH. Peter Gattermeyer presented the latest developments in brewhouse technology, while Dr.-Ing. Johannes Tippmann introduced the extensive testing facilities at the company's own technical center.
New elections to the Executive Board
Board elections were held during the meeting. Dr. Martin Zarnkow was confirmed as first chairman, as were Dipl.-Ing. Matthias Hansen as second chairman and Dr. Gerold Reil as treasurer. Dr. Sylvia Abakuks was newly elected to the Board, replacing Dipl.-Ing. Marcus Jentsch as secretary after many years.
New chapter “Microbiology” in the collection of analysis methods
A highlight of the meeting was the release of the new chapter “Microbiology” for the online collection of analysis methods. PD Dr.-Ing. habil. Mathias Hutzler and Dr. Andreas Brandl have spent months developing 95 methods that will be expanded in the future. The chapter offers practical routine analyses, comprehensive information on laboratory equipment and tips on evaluating results. Dipl.-Ing. Matthias Hansen presented the chapter to the public for the first time at BrauBeviale 2024.
Working groups and new methods
Significant progress in various areas was presented in the reports of the working groups. In the area of grain and malt analysis, optimizations in nitrogen determination and the colour analysis of roasted malt were discussed, while the wort and beer working group worked on the revision of existing methods, such as the analysis of vicinal diketones and nitrosamines.
The changes suggested at the previous meeting were also successfully implemented in the area of hop analysis. The water chapter was further developed with a focus on drinking water methods. The Glass and Packaging (GuP) working group also worked hard on its projects and publications are expected.
New methods in the “Technical additives” section were added online, including analyses of cleaning agents and disinfectants. A method for the determination of steviol glycosides in beverages is also available.
Conclusion and outlook
The meeting ended with a presentation by Dipl.-Braumeister Hubert Walter on the problem of different enzymes in the determination of the total extract of spent grains. It was decided to continue discussing this topic internationally.
Dr. Martin Zarnkow thanked all participants for their constructive cooperation and the hosts in Freising for the successful organization. The next meeting will take place in April 2025 at the Hopsteiner company in Mainburg.
At the end, Augustiner-Bräu Wagner KG invited the participants to the “Freisinger Augustiner”, followed by a meeting in the “Bräustüberl” of the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan.
