A method of preparing a wort with an increased level of free amino nitrogen (FAN) comprising: a) preparing a mash from a grist comprising malt and/or adjunct; and b) adding a protease having at least 80% sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

A method of preparing a wort with an increased level of free amino nitrogen (FAN) comprising: a) preparing a mash from a grist comprising malt and/or adjunct; and b) adding a protease having at least 80% sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

The invention relates to methods for preparing a beverage comprising at least 2 g/L β-glucan, wherein said β-glucans have an average molecular weight in the range of 80 to 200 kDa. The methods involve mashing barley kernels comprising at least 10% β-glucans and having a ratio of DP3/DP4 in said β-glucan of at least 3 in the presence of α-amylase and endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase activity. The beverages have a viscosity providing a good mouth-feel, and at the same time they comprise β-glucans, which are able to aid in lowering LDL cholesterol levels. The beverages are generally stable and can be stored for months at room temperature without a significant decrease in β-glucan content.

The invention relates to methods for preparing a beverage comprising at least 2 g/L β-glucan, wherein said β-glucans have an average molecular weight in the range of 80 to 200 kDa. The methods involve mashing barley kernels comprising at least 10% β-glucans and having a ratio of DP3/DP4 in said β-glucan of at least 3 in the presence of α-amylase and endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase activity. The beverages have a viscosity providing a good mouth-feel, and at the same time they comprise β-glucans, which are able to aid in lowering LDL cholesterol levels. The beverages are generally stable and can be stored for months at room temperature without a significant decrease in β-glucan content.

A process for preparing a cereal-based beverage, the method comprising: —providing malt or unmalted cereal grains; ˜mashing said malt or unmalted cereal grains to solubalize fermentable sugars therein the mashing comprising: —a first step wherein the malt or unmalted cereal grains are exposed to protease activity and optionally glucanase activity, the first step being carried out in a temperature interval A; —a subsequent second step wherein the malt or unmalted cereal grains are exposed to beta-amylase and alfa-amylase activity carried out in a temperature interval inhibiting the protease activity of the first step; —filtering the mashed malt or unmalted cereal grains to obtain a wort; —fermenting said wort to obtain the malt-based beverage; wherein the process comprises the addition of malt rootlets to the wort, characterised in that said malt rootlets are added to the malt or unmalted cereal grains during the second step of the mashing process at which protease activity is inhibited.

A process for preparing a cereal-based beverage, the method comprising: —providing malt or unmalted cereal grains; ˜mashing said malt or unmalted cereal grains to solubalize fermentable sugars therein the mashing comprising: —a first step wherein the malt or unmalted cereal grains are exposed to protease activity and optionally glucanase activity, the first step being carried out in a temperature interval A; —a subsequent second step wherein the malt or unmalted cereal grains are exposed to beta-amylase and alfa-amylase activity carried out in a temperature interval inhibiting the protease activity of the first step; —filtering the mashed malt or unmalted cereal grains to obtain a wort; —fermenting said wort to obtain the malt-based beverage; wherein the process comprises the addition of malt rootlets to the wort, characterised in that said malt rootlets are added to the malt or unmalted cereal grains during the second step of the mashing process at which protease activity is inhibited.

The invention relates to a process for the production of wort, comprising the enzymatic treatment of grist in up to 100% unmalted (grain) form, for further processing into high quality beverage products. By the addition of a combination of exogenous enzymes (α-amylase, isoamylase/pullulanase, FAN generating activity (proteases) and beta-glucanase activity) to the mash and by the simultaneously thermal activation of the maltose-generating endogenous β-amylase, it is possible to obtain a wort based on up to even 100% barley. The invention further relates to a process for the production of a high quality beer or beer product and to the high quality beer produced according to the process.

The invention relates to a process for the production of wort, comprising the enzymatic treatment of grist in up to 100% unmalted (grain) form, for further processing into high quality beverage products. By the addition of a combination of exogenous enzymes (α-amylase, isoamylase/pullulanase, FAN generating activity (proteases) and beta-glucanase activity) to the mash and by the simultaneously thermal activation of the maltose-generating endogenous β-amylase, it is possible to obtain a wort based on up to even 100% barley. The invention further relates to a process for the production of a high quality beer or beer product and to the high quality beer produced according to the process.

A method of preparing a wort with an increased level of free amino nitrogen (FAN) comprising: a) preparing a mash from a grist comprising malt and/or adjunct; and b) adding a protease having at least 80% sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

A method of preparing a wort with an increased level of free amino nitrogen (FAN) comprising: a) preparing a mash from a grist comprising malt and/or adjunct; and b) adding a protease having at least 80% sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.