The Process Of Beer Production For Export At A&B Vietnam

In the globally competitive beverage industry, a standardized, modern, and rigorously controlled process of beer production is the key factor for success. This process ensures consistent quality in every shipment and is crucial for meeting strict international standards, building brand trust, and sharing the spirit of Vietnam with the world.

With the goal of becoming a leading beer manufacturer and exporter, A&B Vietnam proudly operates a closed loop, automated production line featuring advanced European technology. Managed by a team of seasoned experts and governed by stringent quality management systems like ISO 22000, HACCP, FDA, and HALAL, we meticulously control every stage. This guarantees that each product reaching global consumers is a masterpiece of quality and safety, embodying the true taste of Vietnam.

The 5 Stages In The Modern Beer Production Process For Export At A&B Vietnam

The beer production process at A&B Vietnam is a series of tightly integrated stages monitored continuously, 24/7. This comprehensive process guarantees that every exported product not only achieves premium quality but also meets the highest standards of food safety.

Stage 1: Raw Material Selection And Handling

The foundation of an excellent batch of beer begins with high-quality raw materials. We use only the finest ingredients, which have traceable origins and pass a strict quality control (QC) inspection.

• Malt: Selected from reputable suppliers, our malt ensures uniform germination and optimal enzyme levels to create the desired color and characteristic flavor of the beer.
• Hops: We directly import hops from world renowned growing regions. We use a diverse blend of hops, such as bittering, flavor, and aroma varieties, to create a balanced and complex profile for each product line.
• Water: The water source is treated through a modern multi-stage filtration system to completely remove impurities and heavy metal ions. The mineral composition is precisely adjusted to suit each specific beer style, a critical factor for the final product’s purity.
• Yeast: A&B Vietnam utilizes pure yeast strains, which are cultivated and preserved under sterile conditions to ensure stable fermentation performance and a clean, characteristic flavor profile.

All raw materials undergo microbiological and physicochemical testing in our in-house laboratory before entering the beer production process. Our rigorous traceability system ensures complete transparency and safety. With these premium ingredients, A&B Vietnam begins the mashing process to convert starches into fermentable sugars.

Stage 2: The Mashing Process

This core stage transforms starches into fermentable sugars, which determines the beer’s final alcohol content and flavor. The following are the key beer production process steps in this phase:

• Malt Milling: The malt is milled using a modern roller mill, where the fineness is precisely controlled to break down the internal starch structure while keeping the husk intact. This husk later serves as an effective natural filter bed.
• Mashing: Milled malt is mixed with hot water in large-scale industrial mash tuns. At A&B Vietnam, we strictly control the temperature profile. For example, maintaining a temperature of 67°C optimizes the activity of α-amylase enzymes, creating more unfermentable sugars that give our export Lagers a full-bodied mouthfeel.
• Lautering and Sparging: The sweet wort is separated from the spent malt grains. Afterward, hot water at 76°C is sprayed over the grain bed to rinse and recover the maximum amount of residual sugars, optimizing raw material efficiency.
• Boiling and Hopping: The wort is boiled vigorously for 60 – 90 minutes to sterilize and concentrate it while extracting bitterness and aroma from the hops. The hopping schedule is managed precisely. Bittering hops are added early for a foundational bitterness, while aroma hops are added near the end to preserve their valuable essential oils.

At the end of the brewing stage, we have a wort rich in sugars and infused with hop flavors. The wort is now ready for the most critical phase in the process in beer production: fermentation and maturation, where yeast converts sugar into alcohol and CO2.

Stage 3: Fermentation And Maturation

This is the magical stage where yeast transforms sugars into alcohol, CO2, and hundreds of other flavor compounds.

• Rapid Cooling and Aeration: The hot wort is rapidly cooled to the ideal fermentation temperature (e.g., 10-12°C for Lager) using a plate heat exchanger. This quick chilling prevents bacterial contamination and creates a cold break that helps clarify the beer. A controlled amount of pure oxygen is then introduced to promote healthy yeast growth in the initial phase.
• Primary Fermentation: Yeast is added to the wort in stainless steel cylindroconical tanks (CCTs). An automated cooling jacket system maintains a stable temperature, ensuring the fermentation process proceeds perfectly and develops a clean, true-to-style flavor.
• Maturation (Lagering): The young green beer is matured at low temperatures (near 0°C) for several weeks to several months. This process allows the flavors to become smoother and more refined while naturally clarifying the beer as fine particles slowly settle.

After maturation is complete, the beer has developed its core flavor profile. To achieve the perfect clarity and stability required for the export market, it moves to the filtration and stabilization phase.

Stage 4: Filtration And Stabilization

To meet global commercial standards, beer must have perfect clarity and lasting quality.

• Filtration Technology: A&B Vietnam employs advanced sterile membrane filtration technology. This process not only removes the last traces of fine particles to achieve absolute clarity but also ensures a biological stability of up to 12 months. This is a mandatory requirement for products to withstand long-haul refrigerated container shipping to demanding markets like Europe and the United States.
• CO2 Carbonation: The CO2 level in the beer is precisely adjusted to create the perfect carbonation, resulting in a refreshing and crisp sensation upon tasting.

Once the beer has achieved its final clarity, stability, and flavor, the final step in the process of beer production at A&B Vietnam is packaging. This filling and packaging process ensures safety and preserves the beer’s quality on its journey to consumers worldwide.

Stage 5: Filling And Export Packaging

This final stage is conducted on a fully automated line, ensuring sanitation and preserving the product’s integrity.

• Counter Pressure Filling: Beer is filled into cans or bottles in a pressurized CO2 environment. This technique minimizes contact with oxygen, the number one enemy of beer flavor.
• Seaming/Capping: Cans are immediately sealed with a high-speed automatic seamer.
• Pasteurization: The product passes through a flash pasteurization system to enhance microbiological stability and extend its shelf life.
• Packaging and Final QC: Products are automatically labeled and packed into cartons according to international standards. They then undergo a final quality control (KCS) check before leaving the facility. A&B Vietnam uses high grade aluminum cans with a special lining to completely prevent oxidation, preserving the fresh taste of the beer for international consumers.

Key Factors Influencing Export Beer Quality

Creating a world-class beer product involves more than just the process. At A&B Vietnam, we believe excellence comes from the strict control of the following influential factors:

• Quality of Raw Materials: High quality beer ingredients are the irreplaceable foundation.
• Absolute Hygiene: The entire system of pipes and tanks is cleaned using an automated CIP (Cleaning-In-Place) process.
• Temperature Control: This is a decisive factor for enzyme and yeast activity.
• Oxygen Management: We minimize the beer’s exposure to oxygen at all stages post-fermentation.

Our closed loop beer production process, combined with modern beer packaging, guarantees you a supply of beer with absolute consistency and superior stability, meeting the most demanding standards of the international market. A&B Vietnam’s flexible production capacity is ready to meet orders of any scale, helping you stay proactive in your business planning.

If you are a distributor, supermarket chain, or international enterprise seeking a reliable and strategic beer manufacturing partner, contact our team of experts today. We are ready to discuss opportunities for sustainable cooperation and growth with you.

A&B Vietnam