DETERMINATION OF ANIONS IN BEER BY ION CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract

A method relying on ion chromatography, with suppressed ion detection, for the determination of anions in beer, has been collaboratively tested by members of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, the European Brewery Convention and the Brewery Convention of Japan. Precision values obtained for the determination of chloride, sulphate and phosphate in beer were judged to be acceptable. Repeatability (r98) and reproducibility (R98) values for chloride were 5.7, 12.6, 12.5 and 15.0, 38.4, 36.8 respectively at corresponding mean levels of 68.7, 218.6 and 322.5 mg/litre. r98 and R98 values for sulphate were 7.5, 6.2, 7.6 and 44.8, 54.0, 46.5 respectively at corresponding mean levels of 101.4, 205.1 and 122.6 mg/litre. r98 and R99 values for phosphate were 14.1, 11.9, 24.9 and 78.7, 53.8, 84.0 at corresponding mean levels of 411.5, 224.1 and 397.5 mg/litre. Whilst the r98 value for nitrate was acceptable, the value for R98 was unsatisfactory. The ion chromatographic method for determining chloride, sulphate and phosphate in beer is recommended for use and inclusion in Analytica‐EBC as an International Method. 1995 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling