Beer is the Passion of Meens Brewery, Filtration is the Passion of Profiltra

Since 1870, the Meens family has been brewing their Alfa Beers using traditional, artisanal methods. Nestled in the green hills of the Southern part of the Netherlands, this family brewery has always stayed true to its heritage and recipes. Key values of Meens Brewery are timeless & authentic, premium quality, and artisanal & traditional. This dedication is evident in their brewing process, and the appreciation is clear: Alfa Edel Pils has been voted the Best Beer in the world for the second year in a row!

Filtration is Essential in the Beer Brewing Process

Filtration is crucial in the beer brewing process. Meens Brewery uses diatomaceous earth combined with the filter aid Celite Standard Supercel for efficient and quick filtration. The brewery noticed a decrease in the filtration speed and a change in the clarity of the pilsner. They contacted Profiltra to determine if the diatomaceous earth was the cause.

Our Technical Sales Manager, Ingmar Schuurman, worked closely with Meens Brewery to assess the issue in the filter room, conduct measurements, and suggest improvements to optimize the filtration process further. During filtration, clarity/EBC was measured at various stages: before filtration, between filtration and PVPP, and after PVPP. Normally, EBC measurement occurs twice: once before the filling line and at the end of filtration.

Key Findings

• Excessive breakthrough through the diatomaceous earth filter
• The PVPP filter reduces the EBC value too much
• Higher dosages affect the permeability of the filter bed. Reducing the dosage can improve clarity without affecting the run length
• Irregular clarity measurements

Analysis and Custom Advice

Following the analysis and extensive advice, significant changes have been made in the filter room at Meens Brewery. Adjusting the kieselguhr mix and dosage can improve filtration. Training and support for operators enhance knowledge and create a self-learning system. Several recommendations have been incorporated into protocols, and Meens Brewery continues to work on further optimization.

Profiltra offers advice, guidance, service, and customized solutions to various clients and applications. Need advice for your (liquid) filtration application? Contact Profiltra today!