27.1.

18
AOAC Official Method 950.07
Acidity (Total) of Beer
First Action 1950
Final Action
A. Indicator Titration Method
Bring 250 mL H2O to bp and continue boiling 2 min. From
fast-flowing pipet add 25 mL beer previously decarbonated by shak-
ing and filtering, 920.49 (see 27.1.01). After emptying pipet, con-
tinue heating 60 s, regulating heat so that solution resumes boiling
during final 30 s. Remove from heat, stir 5 s, and cool rapidly to
room temperature.
Add 0.5 mL 0.5% phenolphthalein. Titrate with 0.1M NaOH
against white background. Make frequent color comparisons with
sample of equal volume and dilution to which has been added ap-
proximately anticipated amount of alkali but no indicator. Titrate to
first appearance of faint pink. Read buret. Add 0.2 mL more alkali;
color should then be permanent, definite pinkish red, indicative of
overtitration. Take first buret reading as end point.
Observe strictly all details of method. However, 100 mL H2O,
10 mL beer, and 0.2 mL indicator may be used in place of amounts
specified above. (Use potentiometric titration method, B, for beers
of dark color which, even when diluted, may not permit judging
phenolphthalein end point with necessary precision.)
Report results: (1) as lactic acid, to nearest 0.01% (1 mL 0.1M al-
kali = 0.0090 g lactic acid); or (2) as mL 1M alkali, to nearest 0.1 mL,
necessary for neutralization of 100 g beer.
B. Potentiometric Titration Method
Use pH/reference electrode system. Decarbonate beer com-
pletely by shaking, 920.49 (see 27.1.01). Using 50 mL undiluted
sample (or such amount as best suits titration assembly), titrate
potentiometrically with 0.1M NaOH to pH 8.2. Add alkali in 1.5
mL portions to ca pH 7.6, and in 0.15 mL portions from there to pH
8.2. Make sure that complete equilibrium and good convergence
are attained before reading buret at exactly pH 8.2. Report results
as in A.
Precautions.—Observe all details of good potentiometric tech-
nique, including following: Standardize potentiometer against
fresh 0.05M potassium acid phthalate, 964.24(c) (see A.1.04), be-
fore and after any set of titrations; read potentiometer to nearest
0.02 unit; use flexible shielding around electrode leads and motor
cords; ground motor and motor cords, preferably to H2O pipes;
avoid contact between electrodes and glass beaker; use proper stir-
ring speed to ensure quick mixing but to avoid foaming which may
temporarily trap some of alkali added; stop titration at ≤pH 8.6 to
minimize alkali contamination of glass electrode; check batteries
frequently. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for potentiometer
used.
Reference: ASBC: Beer 8.

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