What is brewer's grain?
Text

Brewer's grain is a co-product produced during the beer brewing process alongside brewer's yeast and feed beer .

It's also known as draff, and is comprised of the solid residue produced during the brewing process. Brewer's grain is a valuable co-product that can be used in various foodstuffs. For example, it can easily be used in the production of bread. The majority of the brewer's grain produced finds a new, sustainable purpose in the livestock farming sector. This is because brewer's grain is an excellent source of nutrition for dairy and beef cattle, pigs, poultry and insects

Are you curious as to how brewer's grain is produced? Or did we spark your interest and are you curious what brewer's grain can be used for? Find out more here.

How is brewer's grain produced?

Brewer's grain as a valuable co-product

Media
Bierbostel met een glas bier
Text

How is brewer's grain produced?

Beer is brewed through a variety of processes. Brewer's yeast is also known as draff, and is produced during one of those processes.

The first step of the beer brewing process is called malting. During the malting process, the grain, usually barley, is soaked in water. This activates the germination process. During germination, enzymes are released. These enzymes can turn the starch in the kernel into sugars. Once the barley has germinated, the kernels are dried to stop the germination process. This dried grain is called malt, and this malt is ground down. The ground malt is then mixed with water and heated to different temperature levels (mashing). The malt and water mixture is then filtered, a process referred to as lautering. The lautered liquid is called wort. This forms the foundation of the beer end product and is used to brew the beer. The used (coarse) malt residue left in the filter is brewer's grain

Brewer’s grain is suitable for a variety of applications.

Want to know more?

Left column
Wereld_Livestock_Icon

Brewer's grain for the livestock farming sector

The use of brewer's grain in cattle or pig rations can help reduce feed costs and contribute to the sustainability of the livestock farming sector.

Brewer's grain for cattle

Brewer's grain is a highly suitable co-product for cattle rations. It is a rich source of energy, protein and fibre. As such, it can add to the nutritional value of cattle feed. Moreover, brewer's grain has a positive effect on the volatile fatty acid concentration in the rumen, resulting in a more stable rumen function. Brewer's grain has a low potassium content, which benefits the mineral balance and contributes to the optimal use of magnesium and other elements.

Brewer's grain for pigs

Brewer's grain is increasingly used in pig feed thanks to its positive influence on the digestive processes of pigs. The crude fibre in brewer's grain, originating from the barley, has an effect similar to that of the barley itself. Brewer's grain is rich in fibre and protein and is an excellent energy source for pigs. Moreover, it is rich in minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which are important to the growth and development of pigs.

Right column
Wereld_Insects_Icon

Brewer's grain for insects

Brewer's grain is an excellent source of nutrition for various types of insect, including mealworms and black soldier fly larvae. These insects use the nutrients in brewer's grain to grow and develop, as brewer's grain is a rich source of protein, fibre and other nutrients that these insects need. This is due to the fact that brewer's grain is a rich source of protein, fibre and other nutrients required by all these insects. The insects, in turn, convert the brewer's grain into high-grade protein and fat.

Text

Storage and shelf life of Brewer's grain

Brewer's grain is generally delivered in batches of 25 tonnes. It is delivered in bulk or using a walking floor in a truck or tipping trailer.

The product can be stored in a trench silo or ensiled. It is important to make sure the storage locations are clean. Doing so will improve the quality and shelf life of the co-product. Brewer's grain has a relatively long shelf life. If ensiled properly, it has a shelf life of at least six months. 

Do you have any questions about the storage and shelf life of the brewer's grain co-product?

Contact us

Left column

Would you like more information about brewer's grain for pigs?

Our manager Jasmijn is happy to help you!

Jasmijn van Wakeren

Quality, Nutrition & Sustainability Manager

jvwakeren@looop.company

+316 37 33 42 64

Jasmijn van Wakeren foto rond
Center column

More information about brewer's grain for cattle?

Our manager Joost is happy to help you!

Joost van de Wijgert

Sales Manager 

 

 

jvdwijgert@looop.company

+316 53 19 21 89

Joost van de Wijgert foto rond
Right column

Are you curious about the possibilities of brewer's grain for insects?

Kelly is happy to help you consider the various options!

Kelly Vermeer

Manager Strategic Business Development

kvermeer@looop.company

+316 23 43 26 41

Kelly Vermeer foto rond
Text

Frequently asked questions about brewer's grain

What is brewer's grain?

Brewer's grain, also known as draff, is the solid residue produced during the brewing process. During the beer brewing process, filtration results in (coarse) malt also known as brewer's grain. 

How is brewer's grain produced?

During the malting process, the grain, usually barley, is soaked in water. This activates the germination process. Once the barley has germinated, the kernels are dried to stop the germination process. This dried grain is called malt, and this malt is ground down and mixed with water. The mixture is then heated to various temperature levels. Afterwards, the malt and water mixture is filtered. The filtered liquid is called wort. This forms the foundation of the beer end product and is used to brew the beer. The used (coarse) malt residue left in the filter is brewer's grain.

What are the benefits of feeding with brewer's grain?

Brewer’s grain is an excellent source of nutrition for dairy and beef cattle, pigs, poultry and insects. Adding brewer's grain to the rations can help reduce feed costs. The grain is a rich source of energy, protein and fibre, has a positive effect on the digestive process of the animals and contributes to the sustainability of the sector. 

What can brewer's grain be used for?

Brewer's grain is a highly suitable co-product for cattle and pig rations. On top of that, brewer's grain is an excellent source of nutrition for various types of insect, including mealworms and black soldier fly larvae. 

How should brewer's grain be stored?

Brewer's grain is delivered in batches of 25 tonnes. The co-product is delivered in bulk or using a walking floor in a truck or tipping trailer. To achieve the best possible quality and yield, the product should be stored in a trench silo or ensiled. Brewer's grain has a relatively long shelf life. If ensiled properly, it has a shelf life of at least six months.  

What other co-products are released during beer production?

Various co-products are released during the brewing of beer, including brewers' grains, feed beer and brewer's yeast. Co-products from the brewery are upgraded into animal feed and substrate for insects, among other things.