P-44

Pitfalls of forced aging in physical stability testing.
Stephen L. MCCARTHY, Gerald D. Melm, and Alastair T. Pringle. Anheuser-Busch, Inc., St. Louis, MO.

In an effort to ensure accuracy and reproducibility in physical stability testing, temperatures of incubators used in several laboratories were monitored. Temperature tracking devices were placed in cans filled with 5% ethanol, then the cans were seamed. One can was placed on the top shelf of each forcing 38 C. incubator, while another was placed on the bottom shelf. After eight days, the cans were moved to analogous positions in the incubators used to cool the samples to -1 C. and form the chill haze to be measured. After another eight days the temperature monitors were removed and the data were analyzed. Temperature results were plotted and compared. Results showed that, in some cases, there were temperature gradients within the incubators, inaccurate temperature displays and temperature variability. At the same time, controlled studies were conducted in the laboratory to determine what temperature variation was sufficient to produce statistically significant changes in the physical stability measures. Recommendations for correcting the discrepancies will be given.

Stephen L. McCarthy is a senior chemist in the Brewing Technical Services department of Anheuser-Busch Inc. He received a B. S. degree in chemistry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1976 and was employed as a senior technologist at Smith-Kline Clinical Laboratories from 1977 to 1984. In 1984 , he joined Anheuser-Busch as a chemist in the Analytical Services group. He currently works in the Brewing Research group. His duties include work on chillproofing, beer oxidation and method development. His work on behalf of the ASBC includes chairing the subcommittees on Iron in Beer by Ferrozine method and also Fermentable Carbohydrates by HPLC, as well as presentations at four annual meetings.