A automated beer-brewing system and method includes plural brewing containers, supply containers, and post-beer-brewing containers to bottle the brewed beer and to handle waste fluids and solids. Plural pipes couple the brewing containers to the group post-beer-brewing containers and beer-brewing containers. Plural brew-cycle control valves are coupled to each of the pipes, to locate all of the control valves in a central region of the system.

A automated beer-brewing system and method includes plural brewing containers, supply containers, and post-beer-brewing containers to bottle the brewed beer and to handle waste fluids and solids. Plural pipes couple the brewing containers to the group post-beer-brewing containers and beer-brewing containers. Plural brew-cycle control valves are coupled to each of the pipes, to locate all of the control valves in a central region of the system.

Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for processing non-fermented liquids. In some embodiments, non-fermented liquids may be processed into fermentable liquids in relatively short time (e.g., less than or equal to 30 minutes). In certain embodiments, the non-fermented liquids may be processed in relatively small batches (e.g., having a volume of less than or equal to 2 liters). The systems and methods described herein may be useful for producing fermented (e.g., alcoholic) beverages by a consumer. Advantageously, the systems and methods may be for use by a consumer where, upon introduction of a non-fermented liquid into the system, a fermented beverage is produced (e.g., in relatively small batches and/or in relative short times) as compared to traditional fermentation systems and methods (e.g., requiring relatively long fermentation times and/or relatively large batches). In certain embodiments, the systems and methods produce fermented beverages in a substantially continuous manner (e.g., as compared to traditional fermentation systems which utilize batch and/or semi-batch processes). Such systems may be useful for, for example, on-demand brewing of alcoholic beverages.

One embodiment of the present invention is a nested fermentation method for making a beverage, such as an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer, a wine, or the like, the method comprising the steps of: creating a first solution, wherein creating the first solution comprises fermenting first fermentation ingredients; creating a second solution, wherein creating the second solution comprises removing a first portion of alcohol from the first solution; creating a third solution, wherein creating the third solution comprises removing a first portion of water from the second solution; creating a fourth solution, wherein creating the fourth solution comprises adding second fermentation ingredients to the third solution and fermenting the second fermentation ingredients in the third solution.

One embodiment of the present invention is a nested fermentation method for making a beverage, such as an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer, a wine, or the like, the method comprising the steps of: creating a first solution, wherein creating the first solution comprises fermenting first fermentation ingredients; creating a second solution, wherein creating the second solution comprises removing a first portion of alcohol from the first solution; creating a third solution, wherein creating the third solution comprises removing a first portion of water from the second solution; creating a fourth solution, wherein creating the fourth solution comprises adding second fermentation ingredients to the third solution and fermenting the second fermentation ingredients in the third solution.

One embodiment of the present invention is a nested fermentation method for making a beverage, such as an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer, a wine, or the like, the method comprising the steps of: (1) performing a first fermentation process on first fermentation ingredients to form a first solution; (2) removing a first collection of alcohol, aromatics, and water from the first solution to generate an intermediate solution; (3) adding additional fermentation ingredients to the intermediate solution; (4) removing additional alcohol, aromatics, and water from the intermediate solution after fermentation of the additional fermentation ingredients; (5) repeating steps (3) and (4) as necessary to create a concentrated solution; and (6) adding aromatics and/or alcohol to the concentrated solution.

One embodiment of the present invention is a nested fermentation method for making a beverage, such as an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer, a wine, or the like, the method comprising the steps of: (1) performing a first fermentation process on first fermentation ingredients to form a first solution; (2) removing a first collection of alcohol, aromatics, and water from the first solution to generate an intermediate solution; (3) adding additional fermentation ingredients to the intermediate solution; (4) removing additional alcohol, aromatics, and water from the intermediate solution after fermentation of the additional fermentation ingredients; (5) repeating steps (3) and (4) as necessary to create a concentrated solution; and (6) adding aromatics and/or alcohol to the concentrated solution.

One embodiment of the present invention is a nested fermentation method for making a beverage, such as an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer, a wine, or the like, the method comprising the steps of: (1) performing a first fermentation process on first fermentation ingredients to form a first solution; (2) removing a first collection of alcohol, aromatics, and water from the first solution to generate an intermediate solution; (3) adding additional fermentation ingredients to the intermediate solution; (4) removing additional alcohol, aromatics, and water from the intermediate solution after fermentation of the additional fermentation ingredients; (5) repeating steps (3) and (4) as necessary to create a concentrated solution; and (6) adding aromatics and/or alcohol to the concentrated solution.

One embodiment of the present invention is a nested fermentation method for making a beverage, such as an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer, a wine, or the like, the method comprising the steps of: (1) performing a first fermentation process on first fermentation ingredients to form a first solution; (2) removing a first collection of alcohol, aromatics, and water from the first solution to generate an intermediate solution; (3) adding additional fermentation ingredients to the intermediate solution; (4) removing additional alcohol, aromatics, and water from the intermediate solution after fermentation of the additional fermentation ingredients; (5) repeating steps (3) and (4) as necessary to create a concentrated solution; and (6) adding aromatics and/or alcohol to the concentrated solution.

An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biochemical production, with front end oil separation. Prior to or after saccharification, oil can be removed from a sugar/carbohydrate stream. After saccharification and prior to a sugar conversion process, the sugar/carbohydrate stream includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose can be produced, with such sugar stream being available for biochemical production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein and/or fiber. In other words, oil separation and sugar stream production occurs on the front end of the system and method.