Significance of Use
Beer clarity is a parameter constantly controlled in the brewery. Clarity can be affected by haze, an insoluble or semi-soluble particulate matter which is small enough to form a colloidal suspension in beer. These particles scatter transmitted light and are observed as a degradation in the brilliance of the beer. To assure consistent product quality, the brewmaster needs more than visual inspection.
Several substances can cause haze in beer, but the most frequently encountered problem is due to a cross-linking of polyphenols and proteins. These materials exist in equilibrium in beer and manifest themselves as a haze when they combine to form insoluble colloids. A range of stabilization treatments is available for avoiding haze problems, and the product has to be controlled in several steps during the brewing process, particularly after filtration and before the beer enters the bright tanks.
The HI93124 Portable Haze Meter reports the measurements in EBC (European Brewery Convention) units. EBC units are ¼ of an FTU and FTU units are equal to NTU units (Nephelometeric Turbidity Units). The conversion table between these measurement units is shown below: