O-11
Novel technologies in dispense hygiene
Presenter: Stephen Livens, Brewing Research International, Nutfield, Surrey, United Kingdom
Co-Author: C. Giles, Brewing Research International, Nutfield, Surrey, United Kingdom

Serving a "bad" beer is a sure way to lose a customer. Not surprisingly, the brewer views issues of dispense and dispense hygiene very seriously, and consequently the manufacturers of dispense-related equipment are becoming increasingly competitive in this area. The manufacturers promise improved efficacy or cleanability and in particular that new technologies and novel developments are able to extend the period between line cleaning for as long as six weeks, an attractive prospect for bar owners. However there is no independent reassurance for the brewer that such claims are true. BRi has developed a set of standardized methods that are now being applied to assess the effectiveness and hygienic design of novel dispense hygiene technologies such as electromagnetic devices, ice cleaning technology, and off-site cellar monitoring. Independent testing provides brewers with protection from unproven equipment and protects the manufacturer's investments in these new technologies. The presentation will discuss the suitability of standardized methods for the assessment of novel technology, including results from ice cleaning and electromagnetic devices. Such tests indicate the usefulness of novel technologies within the cellar and how these methods compare to the current, industry-recommended techniques. In particular, the results of these tests show how successful, novel technologies may help to monitor and control good cellar management in the future.

Stephen Livens holds an honors degree in microbiology. He has had extensive experience working as a microbiologist, firstly within nutritional toxicology and cancer research and then for the past ten years within the brewing industry. He joined BRi for the second time in 2002 from Young and Co's Brewery, where he spent four years developing their microbiology laboratory. At BRi, Stephen is responsible for the microbiology section of the Process Department. He provides consultancy to members and non-members, providing support services such as brewery audits and analysis of samples. As part of this support he is also responsible for training in all matters of brewery hygiene and microbiology. Courses include "An Introduction to Microbiology" and "Yeast Management and Brewery Hygiene." Stephen's role as a senior scientist within BRi means that he is also responsible for management of member and non-member projects, especially within the area of dispense hygiene, which is an area of increasing importance to the brewing industry. Stephen is also a member of the UK IGB Southern Section committee.