The brewery automated by Powerspex has successfully produced its first batch of beer. Evy Blond is the name of the beer, named after intern Evy.
The brewery is being automated for Pakhuis Twente in Albergen, which plans to use it for "anniversary beer," or beer on commission. This is a complete brewery in container format.
Complex process
The brewery has since been simulated in PsxCad. Then it was up to graduate student Evy Morsink and intern Hans ten Voorde to get it to the point where it could actually be used to brew beer.
"We had to make sure, of course, that the brewery does it and that it works as the paper described," Morsink said. "First understand the full process. That's how we found out that it's a process with a lot of operations; it's really not a luxury to automate this brewery. Without it, though, the process is very complex."
Once the automation is completed soon, brewing beer will not be difficult. "Choose which beer you want to brew, add ingredients and press start. And then just hope for a tasty result," Morsink laughs.
Eighty vials
At Powerspex, they also waited. They brewed 40 liters of blond beer (more than eighty bottles) and it had to sit in the bottle for one to three weeks. "Then Hans and I were able to taste it. After working hours, during Friday afternoon drinks. Tasted really good!"
Why blond beer?
Why was blonde beer chosen in the first place? "Blonde beer is relatively easy to brew. Once finished, it has to be stored in an ambient temperature between 12 and 25 degrees. So very generous, whereas with more special beers the temperature requirements are a lot more stringent. So a good beer to start with."
Do you like that the beer is named after you? "Yes, really a compliment. But maybe I should stop by the hairdresser? I'm not blonde," she laughs.
In permanent employment
Morsink still hopes to finish the project within her internship time. "And if not, it will be an assignment for the next intern. I can then supervise that one, because as of July 1 I will be employed by Powerspex. Internship finished, training completed and then I will officially be an electrical and installation technician."