We analyzed the physicochemical properties of commercially available
top-fermented beer (ale) and bottom-fermented beer (lager) marketed in Korea to
compare the quality characteristics. The following characteristics of beer were
analyzed for their soluble solid content, pH, total acid content, alcohol
content, volatile acid content, reducing sugar content, amino acidity, and
color. As results, the pH ranged from 4.01 to 4.77, 0.10-0.23 (%) for total acid
and 0.25-1.47 (mL/10 mL) for amino acidity. The alcohol content was in the range
of 3.10-5.70 (%) for ale and 3.80-5.20 (%) for lager. The volatile acid content
was in the range of 28.67-97.93 (mg/L) for ale and 32.80-78.87 (mg/L) for lager.
Regarding the color, the EBC value of the ale beers was in the 4.78-93.98 range,
and that of lager beers were in the 5.48-11.98 range. Comparison of the quality
characteristics of the two types of beer, revealed differences in pH, amino
acidity, total acid content, reducing sugar content, and color. In particular,
total acid content (t=−3.782, p⟨0.05), reducing sugar content
(t=−11.744, p⟨0.05), and color (t=−2.882, p⟨0.05) of
ale beer showed significantly higher than those of lager beer.