How Breweries Use Neural Networks to Improve Beer Flavors

The craft beer industry has thrived on innovation as brewers experimented with new ingredients, processes, and technologies. Now, innovation has evolved to the next level as breweries incorporate new technology like neural networks to craft their recipes. The goal? To perfect and personalize beer flavors like never before.

What Are Neural Networks?

Neural networks are a form of machine learning that mimics the way human brains process information. These networks learn by analyzing data patterns and applying the insights to make decisions or predictions. In the case of brewing, neural networks help brewers streamline new recipe creation by analyzing vast amounts of data to identify flavor profiles, predict customer preferences, and optimize the brewing process.

4 Ways Breweries Are Using Neural Networks to Improve Beer Flavors

1. Analyzing Flavor Data
The brewing process is complex, with countless variables that can affect the final flavor of a beer. Everything from the type of hops, yeast, and malt to the fermentation time and temperature can make a difference. By providing the neural network software with data on ingredients, fermentation processes, and previous brews, breweries can identify how subtle changes in these elements will affect the final product. These networks can suggest optimal combinations of ingredients and processes to achieve a desired flavor profile, allowing brewers to adjust recipes with greater precision and consistency.

2. Predicting Customer Preferences
One of the most exciting uses of neural networks is their ability to predict what customers want in a beer. Breweries collect data from customer reviews, social media, and market trends to better understand what drinkers are looking for. Next, they give this information to neural networks to process alongside sensory data from different beer styles, identifying what flavors, aromas, and mouthfeel attributes are most likely to resonate with consumers. This helps brewers craft new beers that are not only unique but also more likely to become best-sellers.

3. Enhancing Experimentation
Craft beer enthusiasts love experimental brews, and neural networks offer a way to enhance the creative process. Brewers typically go through multiple iterations of a new recipe, adjusting ingredients and processes based on their observations and feedback from taste tests. Neural networks, however, can help streamline this process. Brewers can input different ingredient combinations into the specialized software, which can suggest new flavor profiles that haven’t been tried before. The technology can also predict how changes in the brewing process will affect the final product, helping brewers fine-tune their new recipes more efficiently.

4. Optimizing Brewing Processes
Consistency is crucial for brewing beer. While many craft breweries pride themselves on creativity, ensuring that a flagship beer tastes the same from one batch to the next is essential to build customer loyalty. Neural networks can assist by monitoring and optimizing these variables in real time to ensure consistent quality. For example, if a fermentation tank is slightly off temperature or a hop variety doesn’t match previous batches, the brewer can be alerted, allowing them to make real-time adjustments to maintain the beer’s flavor integrity. This level of control improves flavor consistency and reduces waste and inefficiency in the brewing process.

How Breweries Are Embracing Technology

Several breweries are already exploring the potential of neural networks to enhance their brewing processes. Companies like IntelligentX Brewing in the UK have garnered attention by creating tech-driven beers, using consumer feedback to continuously refine their recipes. Other breweries are collaborating with tech companies to develop customized solutions tailored to their specific needs.

In some cases, breweries use technology not just to create new beer flavors but also to improve the sustainability of their operations. Neural networks can help optimize the energy consumption of brewing equipment, reduce waste, and minimize the environmental impact of production – all while ensuring that the beer tastes better than ever.

While neural networks can never replace the artistry and craftsmanship of beer brewing, they can complement traditional brewing techniques. As technology continues to evolve, breweries may use it to create hyper-personalized beers based on individual preferences or even experiment with new types of fermentation methods that wouldn’t have been possible without machine learning. While some beer purists may be wary of tech’s influence, brewers working hand-in-hand with specially designed software can push the boundaries of what’s possible in flavor development, and that can only mean one thing: better beer.

Tap Into New Flavors at The Growler Guys

With craft brewers blending the artistry of brewing with cutting-edge technology,  these breweries are unlocking new possibilities for creating beers that are not only delicious but also tailored to consumer preferences. Whether you’re a fan of classic lagers or experimental sours, integrating tech into brewing will ensure there’s always something new and delicious on tap – and you’ll find it at The Growler Guys. Our locations have an extensive tap list highlighting all your current and soon-to-be favorites. Stop in to grab a pint, a flight, or a growler fill, and cheers to innovation!