Feed beer is a co-product produced during the beer brewing process.
During the beer brewing process, various co-products are produced including brewer's grain and brewer's yeast. Another of these co-products is feed beer. Feed beer is a co-product that is unsuitable for human consumption. However, co-products unsuitable for human consumption can still be used for other purposes. For example, feed beer is an excellent source of nutrition in animal feed, as it is a highly digestible food source for pigs.
Are you curious as to how feed beer is produced? Would you like to know how you can use feed beer in your rations? We will be happy to tell you more.
How is feed beer produced?
Beer brewing involves various processes that result in various co-products. This works a little differently in the case of feed beer.
As opposed to other brewery co-products, feed beer has undergone the entire brewing process. Brewer's grains, for example, are produced during the malting process. When the wort is filtered, the coarse barley residue is separated from the liquid mixture. This residue is the brewer's grain. Brewer's yeast is produced during an advanced stage of the brewing process. This happens when the yeast cells are separated from the green beer. Feed beer, on the other hand, is not the product of a specific process. In many ways, feed beer is full-fledged beer. However, due to certain circumstances, it is unfit for the consumer market for human consumption. This beer may have either been returned or was left over when a new production line was started.
Feed beer is a highly suitable addition to pig rations. Want to know more?
Feed beer for the pig farming sector
In addition to brewer's yeast and brewer's grain, feed beer is an interesting addition to pig rations.
Feed beer has a high energy value, primarily due to the alcohol percentage in feed beer. On a product basis, the alcohol percentage is about 4%. This not only makes the feed very tasty, but also stimulates calmness in the barn. On top of that, feed beer barely separates, making it a highly constant co-product. This improves the feed consistency and ensures all pigs receive the same nutrients.
Storage and shelf life of feed beer
Feed beer is generally delivered in batches ranging from 25 to 30 tonnes. This product is shipped by tank lorry.
Feed beer can be stored in an acid-resistant silo. In this case, the product should be regularly (gently) mixed. It is important to regularly clean the silo to safeguard the quality and shelf life of the product. In a clean silo, the feed beer has a shelf life of about four weeks.
Do you have any questions about the storage and shelf life of the feed beer co-product?
Do you have any questions about the feed beer co-product?
Our manager, Jasmijn, will be happy to help you!
Jasmijn van Wakeren
Quality, Nutrition & Sustainability Manager
Frequently asked questions about feed beer.
- What is feed beer?
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Feed beer is a co-product produced during the beer brewing process. This co-product is no longer suitable for human consumption. However, feed beer is an excellent source of nutrition for livestock.
- How is feed beer produced?
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Feed beer is not the product of a specific process. Feed beer is full-fledged beer. However, due to certain circumstances, it is unfit for the consumer market. For example, this beer may have been returned or released when a new product line was started.
- What can feed beer be used for?
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Feed beer is highly suitable as a supplement to pig rations. This co-product has a high energetic value thanks to its alcohol percentage. Feed beer has an alcohol content of 4%, which not only makes it very tasty, but also benefits the atmosphere in the barn. Feed beer hardly segregates, thus benefiting feed consistency.
- How should feed beer be stored?
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Feed beer is delivered in batches ranging from 25 to 30 tonnes and is transported by tanker. To ensure optimal quality and yield, the feed beer should be stored in an acid-proof silo. It is important to regularly (gently) stir the product.