Fermentability of Canadian Two-Row Barley Malt: Wort Turbidity, Density, and Sugar Content as Measures of Fermentation Potential

Abstract

The primary goal of this study was to investigate and compare the fermentation performance of malt produced from eleven Canadian two-row barley varieties grown during the 2007 and 2008 crop seasons. Common malting varieties tested included Harrington, AC Metcalfe, CDC Copeland, CDC Kendall, and feed varieties CDC Dolly, CDC Bold, CDC Helgason and McLeod. As well, three experimental varieties, TR251; TR306; and BM9752D-17, were included in this study due to their varied display of enzymatic activity; of chief interest was the ?-amylase thermal stability. Fermentations were carried out using the standard miniaturized fermentation assay and SMA yeast. Apparent Extract (AE), absorbance, fermentable carbohydrates, and ethanol were measured throughout fermentation. Attenuation, carbohydrate and ethanol data were modeled using the logistic equation, and absorbance data was modeled using the newly developed Tilted Gaussian equation. Results indicate that all but the feed varieties fermented well, achieving low final attenuation, and exhibiting similar fermentation characteristics. Despite only minor performance differences among the top fermenters, it was found that between crop seasons both AC Metcalfe and CDC Copeland fermented as well or better than Harrington, as measured by their respective Apparent Degree of Fermentation (ADF). Harrington displayed substantial performance variation between seasons, while test variety BM9752D-17 fermented the most consistently between years, displaying enhanced fermentation to that of Harrington in 2008. Despite high ?-amylase thermostability, BM9752D-17 did not display enhanced fermentation performance to that of CDC Copeland or AC Metcalfe.