IP Library Granted Patent US 12686838
Granted Patent B2
US 12686838 · App. 18/168,763 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Process and system for brewing sour beer

Inventors: Mark Fabrizio (Downingtown, PA); Karen Brownell (Lititz, PA); Brittany Vegso (Malvern, PA)
Assignee: Artisanal Brewing Ventures
C12C11/06C12C7/04C12C7/14C12C7/205
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12686838
App. No.
18/168,763
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A process for brewing sour beer includes: heating milled grain, water and enzymes to produce a mash; then combining the mash with hot water to produce a wort; then combining the wort with bioacid in a sour tank and heating the wort to produce a soured wort; then transferring the soured wort to a kettle; heating the soured wort in the kettle; then removing particulate matter from the soured wort; then transferring the soured wort to a cellar.

Claims (31)

1 . A process for brewing sour beer, comprising:

(a) heating milled grain, water and enzymes to produce a mash; then

(b) separating malt liquid from mash solids to produce a wort; then

(c) combining the wort with bioacid in a sour tank and heating the wort through a heat exchanger outside of the sour tank to produce a soured wort; then

(d) transferring the soured wort to a kettle;

(e) heating the soured wort in the kettle; then

(f) removing particulate matter from the soured wort; then

(g) transferring the soured wort to a cellar;

wherein the bioacid comprises at least one of Lactobacillus , lactic acid, or acid malt.

2 . The process defined in claim 1 , wherein step (a) is performed in a first tank, step (b) is performed in a second tank, and step (f) is performed in a whirlpool.

3 . The process defined in claim 2 , wherein the first tank is a mash tun, and wherein the second tank is a lauter tun.

4 . The process defined in claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprises applying and controlling heat to the wort for between about 4 and 14 hours.

5 . The process defined in claim 4 , wherein step (c) comprises applying heat to the wort for between about 6 and 12 hours.

6 . The process defined in claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprises applying hear to the wort at a temperature of between about 45° C. and 50° C.

7 . The process defined in claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprising applying heat to the wort at a temperature of about 48° C.

8 . The process defined in claim 1 , wherein the bioacid comprises Lactobacillus.

9 . The process defined in claim 1 , wherein step (c) includes introducing carbon dioxide to the wort.

10 . The process defined in claim 9 , wherein the carbon dioxide is introduced in a pulsing fashion.

11 . The process defined in claim 1 , wherein step (e) further comprises adding hops to the sour wort.

12 . A process for brewing sour beer, comprising:

(a) heating milled grain, water and enzymes to produce a mash; then

(b) separating malt liquid from mash solids to produce a wort; then

(c) combining the wort with Lactobacillus in a sour tank and heating and recirculating the wort through a heat exchanger outside of the sour tank to produce a soured wort; then

(d) transferring the soured wort to a kettle;

(e) heating the soured wort in the kettle; then

(f) removing particulate matter from the soured wort; then

(g) transferring the soured wort to a fermenter.

13 . The process defined in claim 12 , wherein in step (c) heating and recirculating the wort comprises passing the wort through a heat exchanger outside of the sour tank.

14 . The process defined in claim 12 , wherein step (c) includes introducing carbon dioxide to the wort.

15 . The process defined in claim 14 , wherein the carbon dioxide is introduced in a pulsing or continuous fashion.

16 . The process defined in claim 12 , wherein step (c) is performed for between about 6 and 12 hours at a temperature of about 48° C.