Production and properties of ale beer with Nuruk, a Korean fermentation starter

Abstract

Nuruk, a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage starter, was evaluated as an additional saccharifying agent comprising up to 1.5% (w/w) of malt weight in ale-type beer processing. Sample characteristics were monitored during fermentation, ripening, and storage. Beer containing nuruk showed higher numbers of total viable bacteria and yeast cell counts. Additionally, ethanol (6.19-6.35%), color (Standard Reference Method), foam stability (228.49-368.24σ), saccharogenic power (307-417), and reducing sugar (3.83-5.25%) increased as the amount of nuruk was increased, while viscosity (3.13-2.07 cP) and bitterness unit (19.68-13.13) were lower than in samples without nuruk. Overall acceptance and aftertaste of the beer were significantly higher in a preference test. These results demonstrate that nuruk can be used to produce a new type of ale.