Master Brewer Certification Brewer Brewing Equipment & Technology 5

Question 1

What is the purpose of 'underletting' in a mash or lauter tun?

Accepted Answer

Adding cold water below the grain bed to lift and float the bed for vorlauf or to assist lautering

Answer

Underletting introduces liquor beneath the grain bed to gently float it, preventing compaction and aiding vorlauf or reducing stuck sparges.

Question 2

In high-gravity brewing with dilution, a brewery uses a 'de-aeration' system on its dilution water. Why?

Accepted Answer

To remove dissolved oxygen from dilution water before it contacts beer, preventing oxidation

Answer

De-aerating dilution water removes dissolved oxygen that would otherwise oxidize finished beer, preserving flavor stability and extending shelf life.

Question 3

What is 'thermal mass' in a brew kettle context, and how does it influence the brewing process?

Accepted Answer

The amount of heat energy stored in the kettle material and wort, affecting how quickly the system responds to heating or cooling inputs

Answer

Thermal mass describes the heat energy stored in the vessel and its contents; high thermal mass systems respond slowly to heat input changes, requiring larger or more powerful heat sources to achieve a timely boil.

Question 4

A compressed air-driven diaphragm pump is sometimes used in breweries for which specific application?

Accepted Answer

Transferring viscous or shear-sensitive materials like yeast slurry without damaging cells

Answer

Air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps are gentle on shear-sensitive materials like yeast slurry and can run dry without damage, making them ideal for yeast handling.

Question 5

What does 'Total Dissolved Solids' (TDS) measured in brewing water indicate, and why does it matter for equipment?

Accepted Answer

The concentration of dissolved minerals and salts, which affects scale buildup in heat exchangers and can impact flavor

Answer

TDS measures mineral content in water; high TDS can cause scale deposits on heat exchanger plates and boil kettle surfaces, reducing heat transfer efficiency over time.

Master Brewer Certification Practice Test

Master Brewer Certification Practice Test

Master Brewer Certification Brewer Brewing Equipment & Technology 5