METHOD OF PRODUCING YEAST FERMENTED BEVERAGES

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of producing yeast fermented beverages, which method comprises the following consecutive continuous processing steps: a. introducing wort into a series of one or more propagation vessels in which it is combined with a recirculated stream of yeast-containing residue and in which the yeast is allowed to propagate under aerobic conditions whilst being kept suspended; b. transferring the yeast-containing wort from the propagation vessel into a series of one or more fermentation vessels in which the yeast is kept suspended under anaerobic conditions and is allowed to metabolise carbohydrates present in the wort; c. transferring at least a part of the fermented wort from the series of one or more fermentation vessels to one or more separators to remove a yeast-containing residue; d. recirculat ing part of the yeast-containing residue to the series of one or more propagation vessels; and e. feeding the remainder of the fermented wort to subsequent processing steps; wherein the wet yeast content of the wort in the series of one or more fermentation vessels is maintained at more than 100 g/l. The utilisation of very high yeast concentrations offers the advantage that fermentation times and/or fermenter volume can be reduced substantially. Furthermore, continuous fermentations conducted at high yeast concentrations are less vulnerable to microbial infections.