Determination of the Energy Value of Beer

Beer is an important source of crucial nutritional compounds such as carbohydrates and proteins. Therefore, beer has become an indispensable part of the diet in many cultures. Apart from carbohydrates and proteins, alcohol also contributes to the total energy value of beer. There exist several approaches to the calculation of the energy value of beer, which are defined in brewery analytical methods (EBC, MEBAK, and ASBC) and in legislative rules. Two approaches were compared. The first is the direct calculation method defined in EBC 9.45. The second can be found in Regulation (EU) Number 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Whereas the direct method is fast, simple, and feasible, the calculation method is laborious and time consuming. However, the direct method does not provide accurate results for some types of beer (e.g., nonalcoholic beer or low-alcoholic beer mix manufactured by mixing beer and sweetened soft drinks). Therefore, the modification of the direct method was suggested and verified. In this form, the direct method of determining the energy value of beer complies with the conditions of high-throughput and a green method.