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LIQUID FILTRATION
From
Turbidity toTransparency Mastering Hard Seltzer Filtration Techniques By Dr. Ilona Schneider
H
ard seltzer is a rising sensation within the realm of alcoholic beverages. This drink made its mainstream market debut only a few years ago and is experiencing an escalating trend in numerous nations. Across the world, hard seltzer is seizing markets with remarkable force and boasted an approximate global worth of $15.8 billion (14.6 billion euros) in 2022. Of this substantial sum, around $13.6 billion (12.6 billion euros) can be attributed to U.S. demand alone. Future projections indicate a robust annual surge of over 30%, propelling worldwide sales to about $36.8 billion (34 billion euros) by 2025.1 Meanwhile, in Germany, where the sector remains relatively modest at roughly $54.2 million (50 million euros) in 2022, a staggering 88% annual growth rate is anticipated in coming years that could propel the market's magnitude beyond $347.2 million (320 million euros) by 2025.2 Hard seltzers are commonly perceived as a pristine product devoid of odor and displaying a transparent appearance. This quality holds significant market potential, contingent on the implementation of appropriate filtration technology to enable its realization. With the entry of many long-established alcoholic drink
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manufacturers into the market, the process of production introduces a novel learning curve. The difficulty lies in the potential for the raw materials (depending on quality), as well as the processes of fermentation and flavoring, to induce haziness, introduce coloration, or even modify the taste of the liquid. Thus, a multistage filtration procedure assumes a crucial function by facilitating clarification, eliminating unwanted color, and tuning out off-flavors to yield a final product that is both palatably pure and visually clear. The clarification phase effectively eliminates yeast, haziness, and other potential particles. Color and aroma refinement is meanwhile accomplished using filter media infused with activated carbon. Prior to bottling, a final filtration process helps to ensure the clarity and longevity of the beverage. Such techniques allow producers to achieve optimal safety, quality and consistency, empowering them to craft a hard seltzer that’s not only crystal clear but also exceptionally delightful.
Filtration: Unlocking Optimal Outcomes While the straightforward ascent of these alcoholic beverages can be readily understood, the process of perfecting them
remains complex. Hard seltzers can be crafted using various approaches that combine carbonated water with a wide spectrum of raw materials. Among the initial commercially available hard seltzers, some were crafted from lemons or underwent fermentation from malt. In contrast, the prevailing practice in North America involves employing mineral water as a foundation, infused with a small proportion of high-proof alcohol distilled from cane sugar.3 Even well-established manufacturers must meticulously examine the intricacies of producing a beverage that aligns with consumer anticipations. One factor contributing to this challenge is the pursuit of absolute clarity.
Clarifying Filtration For hard seltzer, the initial fermented liquid requires meticulous filtration using plate and frame filters (the standard in basic process depth filtration) or stacked disc cartridge housings. The former consists of a series of alternating plates and frames arranged in a stack. The plates are equipped with depth filter sheets that capture suspended microorganisms and particles while allowing the clarified liquid to pass through.
