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There are 4 modules in this course
Welcome to Beer Quality: Color and Clarity led by distinguished professor Charles Bamforth, Ph.D. In this course, you will learn about beer color and how it impacts a consumer's perception of beer. Also discussed are the scientific factors affecting beer color and clarity. The methods of measuring and altering beer color are presented, as are ways to troubleshoot problems with beer color.
In this module, we begin discussing how beer color and clarity influences the consumer. We'll review some informal research that was conducted regarding consumer perception of beer based on clarity. If you clarify a beer, does it take anything away? We'll discuss this question.
What's included
5 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 29 minutes
Meet Your Instructor: Charlie Bamforth•6 minutes
Introduction to Color & Clarity•1 minute
Significance of Color and Clarity - Part 1•4 minutes
Significance of Color and Clarity - Part 2•8 minutes
Significance of Color and Clarity - Part 3•11 minutes
3 readings•Total 21 minutes
Optional Textbook - COLOR & CLARITY: Practical Guides•10 minutes
Course Navigation and Safety Statement•1 minute
Textbook Reading (Optional)•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Significance of Color and Clarity Review•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Learning Goals•10 minutes
Measuring and Chemistry of Color
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we'll discuss color, some of the basic science behind it, and how humans perceive it. We'll review the Beer-Lambert law equation as well as well as the ASBC and EBC methods of measuring color and look at light absorbance of various beers. Then, we'll review methods and devices used to measure color and discuss what to consider when choosing a method. We'll go over the main source of color in most beers, the Maillard Reaction. And, you'll understand how the oxidation of polyphenols affects beer color, ways of adjusting beer color, and discuss what to do when your beer color is not what you were expecting.
What's included
7 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 36 minutes
Color Explained•5 minutes
Measuring Color - Part 1•6 minutes
Measuring Color - Part 2•5 minutes
Measuring Color - Part 3•6 minutes
Chemistry of Color - Part 1•6 minutes
Chemistry of Color - Part 2•5 minutes
Troubleshooting Color•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Textbook Reading (Optional)•10 minutes
Textbook Reading (Optional)•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Measuring Color Review•30 minutes
Chemistry of Color Review•30 minutes
Turbidity Problems & Colloidal Stability
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we start our discussion regarding turbidity in beer and the role of bits in beer clarity. We'll discuss what invisible haze is and how it affects beer clarity, compare biological haze with non-biological haze, and compare and contrast chill haze with permanent haze. We'll also look at how we measure, interpret turbidity issues, discuss how bits and haze are measured, and touch on the role of microbiology in beer stability.
What's included
7 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 37 minutes
Turbidity Problems in Beer - Part 1•8 minutes
Turbidity Problems in Beer - Part 2•3 minutes
Turbidity Problems in Beer - Part 3•6 minutes
Turbidity Problems in Beer - Part 4•5 minutes
Turbidity and Colloidal Stability - Part 1•4 minutes
Turbidity and Colloidal Stability - Part 2•5 minutes
Turbidity and Colloidal Stability - Part 3•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Textbook Reading (Optional)•10 minutes
Textbook Reading (Optional)•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Turbidity Problems Review•30 minutes
Turbidity and Colloidal Stability Review•30 minutes
Clarity and Stability & Turbidity
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we discuss how grist, hops, malting, and mashing influence beer clarity and stability. We'll also discuss how wort, fermentation, cold conditioning, filtration, stabilizers, and packaging influence clarity and stability. We'll also offer methods of troubleshooting turbidity and touch on beta-glucan, arabinoxylan, starch, oxalate, and dead bacteria. We'll also offer methods of troubleshooting turbidity involving protein, foam stability, and polyphenols.
UC Davis, one of the nation’s top-ranked research universities, is a global leader in agriculture, veterinary medicine, sustainability, environmental and biological sciences, and technology. With four colleges and six professional schools, UC Davis and its students and alumni are known for their academic excellence, meaningful public service and profound international impact.
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.