Wort boiling isn’t just a tradition—it’s a vital step in brewing that transforms raw ingredients into the foundation of great beer. Here’s why it’s so important:
1. Sterilisation
Malted barley brings along bacteria and molds that must be eliminated. Boiling sterilises the wort, ensuring your beer starts clean and pure.
2. Stabilisation
Boiling halts enzymatic activity, locking in the perfect balance of sugars and amino acids for fermentation.
3. Removal of Off-Flavours
Unpleasant aromas like sulphury DMS and grassy aldehydes are evaporated, leaving a clean, fresh wort.
4. Hop Extraction
The high temperatures dissolve bitter resins (alpha acids) from hops, stabilising their contribution to bitterness and aroma.
5. Protein Coagulation
Boiling denatures proteins, reducing the risk of chill haze in packaged beer and ensuring long-term clarity and stability.
6. Color and Flavour Development
Heat creates complex colors and flavours via the Maillard reaction, giving your beer depth and character.
7. Concentration
The boil increases the strength of the wort, creating ideal conditions for essential chemical reactions.
What to Add During the Boil?
🔹 Hops or Hop Extracts
Hot wort is the perfect medium for dissolving alpha acids from hops. Looking for top-quality hops? Contact us for more info on the Charles Faram’s range!
🔹 Adjuncts
- Granulated Sugar: Balances acidity and sweetness.
- Glucose Syrup (731): Non-GMO caramel syrup for priming or brew-length extension.
- Glucose Syrup (Glucor 60/80): Cost-effective wheat-derived syrup for flavor and colour tweaks.
- Invertsuc 78: Fully inverted sugar syrup for smoother fermentation.
🔹 Kettle Fining
Carrageenan products like Protafloc or Koppakleer remove haze-causing proteins, ensuring clear and stable beer.
Top Tips for an Efficient Boil
✔️ Use ReFoam to control over-foaming, increase evaporation rates, and improve hop bittering efficiency.
✔️ Tailor your dosage rates to your recipe, equipment, and beer style.
Need Help?
Our technical team is here to guide you through the wort boiling process and help optimise your brewing aids. Contact us today for expert advice—because every great beer starts with a perfect boil!