University of Hamburg Research Shows CDR BeerLab® Equals MEBAK in IBU Determination

The accurate determination of bitterness, expressed in International Bitterness Units (IBU), is a cornerstone of beer quality control. Traditionally, laboratories rely on the MEBAK B-400.17.110 reference method, a protocol based on solvent extraction and spectrophotometric analysis. While highly reliable, it requires skilled personnel, dedicated laboratory equipment, and time-consuming sample preparation.

A recent study conducted by the Institute of Food Chemistry at the University of Hamburg evaluated whether the CDR BeerLab® system could deliver results comparable to the MEBAK method while offering operational advantages for routine brewery analyses.

Thirteen different beers, covering a bitterness range of 3 to 50 IBU, were analyzed in triplicate using both approaches. The MEBAK method served as the benchmark, while the CDR BeerLab® employed its photometric analyzer with pre-filled cuvettes and simplified reagent handling.

The evaluation applied rigorous statistical tools:

• Correlation analysis (R = 0.9997; R² = 0.9993)
• Bland-Altman plots for agreement assessment
• Paired t-test and F-test to verify differences in means and variances
• Coefficient of Variation (CoV) to assess repeatability

The results demonstrated excellent comparability:

• Mean differences between the two methods were negligible, with no statistically significant bias (p = 0.12).
• Variability was statistically indistinguishable (F-test p = 0.92).
• Repeatability was strong for both, with mean CoV values of 0.61% (MEBAK) and 1.02% (CDR BeerLab®).
• Bland-Altman analysis confirmed that differences across samples were within narrow ranges, supporting interchangeability.

Beyond equivalence in analytical accuracy, the study highlighted several operational benefits of CDR BeerLab®:

• Rapid analysis compared to conventional protocols.
• Ease of use, requiring only minimal operator training.
• Reduced reagent consumption: approximately 20 times less than the MEBAK method.
• Improved safety profile, avoiding large volumes of isooctane, a hazardous solvent.
• Lower environmental impact thanks to reduced chemical waste.

The University of Hamburg’s comparative study confirms that CDR BeerLab® is statistically equivalent to the MEBAK reference method for IBU determination. For breweries and laboratories, this means a validated alternative is available that combines analytical reliability with speed, convenience, and sustainability.