The primary ingredient in beer is water and the chemical composition of the water used to brew beer is known to affect the flavor and the color of the final brew, as well as aesthetic qualities like head and smoothness. Several brewing companies use the quality of their water in marketing campaigns designed to convince consumers of the superiority of their product. We measured the trace metal content of eleven different domestic and imported beers (both ales and lagers) by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, ICP-MS and titration for Ca, Mg and 20 trace metals. Calcium levels ranged from 8.5 to 87 mg/L and magnesium levels ranged from 30 to 172 mg/L for the beer tested. Iron levels varied from 0.25 to 1.0 mg/L. Aluminum concentrations averaged 145 �g/L, followed by Mn (79 �g/L), Zn (46 �g/L), Ni (�g/L) and Cu (�g/L).

Trace metals in beer

247th National Meeting (2014)

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