Free Online Beer Chemistry Course

[rjmaster19]

I think the confusion is that in one of the articles, it talks about Windisch–Kolbach units for diastatic activity along with Lintner.

Kolbach Index vs Kolbach units. I guess that Kolbach guy had his hands in all kinds of stuff.

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[whitehause]

The mash temp question was a little confusing.
The way I think most of us have learned, especially with todays modified grain, is to start the mash water at a higher temp, then add the grain to bring it down to the target mash temp. I only know of a few instances where you would start as low as 115 deg and then raise it up to your desired mash temp.(a large amount of wheat comes to mind).
When I think of water temp for mash in, I always think of that as a higher temp than my target mash temp.
I guess I should have taken the time to convert Celsius into Fahrenheit, then I would have realized that the target temp would have been too low.

 

[brewtus_]

Didn't like Question #6 on the mashing and lautering quiz. What was emphasized in the lessons was enzymatic hydrolysis and SN1 reactions, asking about non-enzymatic hydrolysis was kind of a cheap quiz question to confuse the reader rather than test knowledge on the subject. I was able to narrow it down to two choices, picked the wrong one. I felt I understood the material concerning stereochemistry and why things happen with enzyme catalysis, but I didn't find anything presented concerning non-enzyme (or acid/base catalysis). Whatever, I should have gone with my gut instinct - I read in too much and got faked out in my own mind. Some other minor complaints that are coming up regularly concerning the presentation in the course vs what we know from practical experience, but still I am happy with the course overall with >93% after all the quizzes. I just wish the quizzes were more essay/problem solving rather than multiple choice.

 

[helibrewer]

Didn't like Question #6 on the mashing and lautering quiz. What was emphasized in the lessons was enzymatic hydrolysis and SN1 reactions, asking about non-enzymatic hydrolysis was kind of a cheap quiz question to confuse the reader rather than test knowledge on the subject. I was able to narrow it down to two choices, picked the wrong one. I felt I understood the material concerning stereochemistry and why things happen with enzyme catalysis, but I didn't find anything presented concerning non-enzyme (or acid/base catalysis). Whatever, I should have gone with my gut instinct - I read in too much and got faked out in my own mind. Some other minor complaints that are coming up regularly concerning the presentation in the course vs what we know from practical experience, but still I am happy with the course overall with >93% after all the quizzes. I just wish the quizzes were more essay/problem solving rather than multiple choice.

Agree.....


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[brewtus_]

And now I'm going to pile on, now that I think about it. After reviewing Palmer on what impacts starch conversion (pH, Temperature and Mash concentration), question #3 is BS as well. The question is: "Select all of the conditions that impact the efficiency of starch conversion. Select all that apply." The choices are: a) Temperature; b) Mash concentration; c) Milling; d) Yeast variety; e) pH.

a, b and e are known per Palmer. d is a stupid answer. But, per the "grading" of the quiz, c) milling should be included.

Milling definitely has an effect on the amount of possible fermentable sugars available in that the coarser the grind, the lower the gelatinization and the lower the calculated yield (i.e less starch in the mash than theoretical calculation). But the question specifically refers to the efficiency of the starch conversion. This is how well the enzymes break down the available starches in the mash, not what the concentration of theoretical starches might be.

The efficiency of starch conversion is only based on available starches in real time, not theoretical starches on an optimum extraction. The only real answers for this question are the ones supported by Palmer. Milling definitely affects the amount of starches available for conversion, but has nothing to do with efficiency of starch conversion. Again, this is the problem with multiple choice tests.

*Edit to add that I did not reveal any actual quiz questions since this post was done AFTER the due date for this quiz.

 

[brewtus_]

Almost three weeks without a single post in this thread. Has everyone already given up on the course? From the looks of the Unit 7 Self Assessment, Fermentation is going to be tough.

 

[POAS]

Very tough. Not too much "brewing" and a whole lot of chemistry!


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[ClaudiusB]

Almost three weeks without a single post in this thread. Has everyone already given up on the course? From the looks of the Unit 7 Self Assessment, Fermentation is going to be tough.

I am still around and won't give up. Unit 7 looks tough but is manageable. I do like the course and have no complains.
Cheers,
ClaudiusB
I

 

[helibrewer]

Still reading the material but not doing the assessments or quizzes any more.


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[Brews]

Still hanging in there. Two left, can't give up now.

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[Danno355]

Still hanging in there taking the quizzes and reading the material. I wonder what the drop rate has been? I had a feeling Fermentation would be one of the tough sections... and it is lol.

 

[ncbrewer]

Still in the course. I think the final exam will be a killer for me. Without a background in organic chemistry, I find I have trouble remembering the material from one unit - remembering details from the whole course will be a real challenge.

 

[youngdh]

I'm still hanging with the class. As long as exams remain open book I can search the material to hone in on an answer . I will admit the Biochem is serving no purpose to improving my HB skills. I view that part of the course as "the right of passage" for the Chem/Biochem majors taking it for credit .

DY


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[dstranger99]

Yeah, I'm still with it too, The Fermentation quiz is pretty much ALL chemistry, so the test should be pretty tough. Prior to that, the "Boiling-Hopping" section was no cake walk.....

 

[Bigscience]

I'm still in. I don't feel like I'm learning much and there seems to be more beer chemistry trivia like question and not really geared to making me a better brewer. I think there could have been more on the utilization of hops and some deep dives on the calculations. Since this unit and a water one would be their best chance to shine as chemists, I don't have much hope for a more biochem subject of fermentation.

Am I the only one who feels that the early sections had better content?


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[helibrewer]

I would have preferred an approach that concentrated on how the brewer can affect the chemistry. I like knowing the chemistry, I was a Bio major, knowing the Kreb's cycle and glycolysis is all well and good but how can I as a brewer use this to make better beer?? What specifically can or should I do to drive reactions one way or another and what is the expected outcome? I equate this to my job as a pilot. I can know everything about the aircraft systems but if I can't change how those systems operate in flight, when something goes wrong, then it's useless knowledge....it's trivia.


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[Danno355]

I know Dr Morvant is on the board and he has been very receptive to ideas. I believe he has done a pretty good job creating a production vs chemistry overview. Like I said in an earlier post, I really do find myself thinking on a more molecular level, understanding what is happening when I am brewing. Maybe we can talk him into creating a Chemistry in the Brewhouse course next. See Doc? We already have your course title!

 

[POAS]

I guess I think that this course was not necessarily intended to make one a better brewer. Maybe just a more informed brewer with respect to the chemistry of beer. I'm still hanging in there, too late to quit now. I have learned a lot in this course, though I'm not sure if it will improve my home brew, but more knowledge is never a bad thing...

 

[coyote68]

I'm still with it.. quitting is not an option for me. i do not have a chemistry background but i have learned a tremendous amount from the course.

 

[ClaudiusB]

I'm still with it.. quitting is not an option for me. i do not have a chemistry background but i have learned a tremendous amount from the course.

Great attitude!

 

[Oceantendency]

I took Organic Chem courses, but that was over 13 years ago, hop utilization was helpful, but only in the additional resources section and just like the other units there were tid bits of info to be picked up on, but not through the videos just the additional resources section. Hey guys, think of it like this; how much or how lil you learn, if you pick up on certain aspects that make you more aware during the process, that would be beneficial, right? So for a free course to pick up on any beneficial stuff is helpful and anything learned is appreciated, right?

TO be honest after working, hanging with my girls, by the time I get quiet time to sit down and go through the lessons without especially my youngest climbing all over me...it's draining. However I've book marked some pages that are great reference points.

I love the fact that my wife laughs at me for drinking a beer while taking Chemistry of Beer...and I say Why the hell not?

 

[LAHammer]

Drinking a brew while listening to a lecture makes college much more enjoyable.


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[dstranger99]

I just glanced at the most recent test, just came out today. My brain exploded.....

 

[Wingnutt73]

Is it to late to do this? Just saw this post and do I really need to be a OU student?

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

Is it to late to do this? Just saw this post and do I really need to be a OU student?

I believe the course is almost over.
No you do not need to be a OU student. they offer a large selection of free online courses. You only get credit if you are a OU student. If your looking just to better your knowledge base then take a look at some of the other courses or wait and see if they hold another session of this class after this semester completes.

 

[dstranger99]

I just glanced at the most recent test, just came out today. My brain exploded.....

Just finished. Only got 3 wrong. Not too shabby ......

 

[govner1]

Just finished the Fermentation quiz. I only missed one! Miracles do happen!

 

[Irrenarzt]

That is a miracle! Congrats!

I didn't study as I've been busy as hell and I got 6 out of 10 correct. Not bad considering I was freeballing it.

 

[ClaudiusB]

Just finished the Fermentation quiz. I only missed one! Miracles do happen!

Great performance!

I took the test on Thursday.

 

[youngdh]

I took the Fermentation quiz on Monday. It was probably the toughest one so far and all about chemistry. Miraculously I got 8 out of 10 correct. Thank goodness for open book test otherwise it would have been "best guesses" for my answers.


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