laboratory informatics


Paar alcolyzer – an instrument that measures ABV, specific gravity, extracts and other parameters by near infrared (NIR). Tis instrument can be integrated with a larger system and also puts out multiple readings; at this point many companies begin to consider interfacing these instruments with some larger system. Such companies also have other instruments, such as balances, spectrophotometers, AAs, pH meters, and chromatography instruments, as well as instrument soſtware that can be integrated. To manage the testing and all the results,


Bell’s uses Autoscribe’s Matrix Gemini LIMS, as well as TotalChrom from Perkin Elmer. BBC uses the LabWare LIMS, as well as TotalChrom and Waters’ Empower. Both brewers use several other types of instrument soſtware, as well. Tere are some needs in brewing that are


the same as in other industries, including the need to integrate systems such as LIMS, ELN, or LES with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and other systems. At BBC, they also have contract brewing results to incorporate, which adds yet another level of complexity to managing the data. As in other industries, both companies need to correlate product data with other manufactured lots of similar product, and both need data for reports to regulatory agencies. Jason Gardner, quality systems


administrator of BBC, pointed out that, with three sites to manage, getting data together for reports and making it available to all who


Informatics can help ensure that every craft brew that goes out is top quality MAKING DATA


AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO NEED IT IS A


SIGNIFICANT ISSUE


need it is a significant issue. Also, as BBC grows, they find themselves in a perpetual state of change as they scramble to configure their systems to accommodate new products and processes. At Bell’s, Luke Chadwick, senior scientist, alludes to similar issues in mentioning that the industry is growing fairly consistently at 20 per cent each year. At Bell’s, Andrew Koehring* is currently


working through the company’s Autoscribe implementation to support its continued growth. At BBC, Gardner’s job is in post-implementation but this involves no less system work than Koehring’s implementation work for Bell’s – there is always some process or data type that could be managed by their LabWare LIMS/ELN.


Why testing is important Testing in the brewing industry is important partly because the government insists on appropriate ABV figures. Te recorded ABV must be correct within some tolerance level stated by the government body involved. In the United States, it is the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB); other countries have similar governmental bodies. According to Luke Chadwick, there is a


great sense of camaraderie in craſt brewing and everyone on the technical side in the


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@scwmagazine


DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 5


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