Polyclar stabilizers from Ashland Inc. extend beer shelf life

Shelf life determines how long a beer remains clear and stable under average conditions. In contrast to expiration dates for food, drinking a beer past its best-by date isn’t potentially hazardous, but there is no clear reason to drink hazy beer. The global beer market exceeded $510 billion in 2012 and has led to opportunities for beverage stabilization suppliers such as Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. Its Polyclar stabilizers, a leading brand in polyphenol stabilization for beer, are widely used to prevent the development of colloidal haze — permanently insoluble particulate which can be seen by the human eye and be perceived as haze — thus extending the shelf life of beer.

“Polyclar stabilizers increase the colloidal stability of beverages to reduce haze and produce clearer, more stable beverages,” said Mustafa Rehmanji, global research and development and technical manager for beverages, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. “Our team works directly with our customers to assist them in their use of our specialized technology. The combination of Ashland and International Specialty Products, ISP, increased our reach in the beverage market and extended our network of technical centers. We are devoting increased research and development resources to focus on customer solutions beyond haze.”

The Ashland food and beverage team also provides customized training in stabilization technology.

This year, the Master Brewers Association of the Americas Annual Conference in Austin, Tex., Oct. 23 to 26, is once again serving brewers with the chance to come together, network with peers, discuss critical issues in brewing, discover the methods of others and get to know their colleagues. Experts from Ashland will be on hand in booth 515 to share their beer stabilization knowledge with visitors.

Ashland Specialty Ingredients offers products, technologies and resources for solving formulation and product performance challenges in key markets including personal care, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, coatings and energy. Using natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic polymers derived from seeds, cellulose derivatives and vinyl pyrrolidones, Ashland Specialty Ingredients offers comprehensive and innovative solutions for today’s demanding consumer and industrial applications.