Characterizing Volatile and Nonvolatile Factors Influencing Flavor and American Consumer Preference toward Nonalcoholic Beer
Scott Lafontaine, Kay Senn, Johanna Dennenlöhr, Christian Schubert, Laura Knoke, Jörg Maxminer, Annegret Cantu, Nils Rettberg, Hildegarde Heymann
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide In this study, the chemical and sensory profiles of 42 different nonalcoholic beer (NAB) brands/styles already on the global market and produced through several different brewing techniques were evaluated. A trained panel (i.e., 11 panelists) performed standard-driven descriptive and check-all-that-apply analyses in triplicate to sensorially characterize the aroma and taste/mouthfeel profiles of 42 commercial NABs, a commercial soda, and a commercial seltzer water ( n = 44). These beers were also chemically deconstructed using several different analytical techniques targeting volatile and nonvolatile compounds. Consumer analysis ( n = 129) was then performed to evaluate the Northern Californian consumer hedonic liking of a selection ( n = 12) of these NAB brands. These results provide direction to brewers and/or beverage producers on which techniques they should explore to develop desirable NAB offerings and suggest chemical targets that are indicators of specific flavor qualities and/or preference for American consumers.