krausen

industrial process

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "krausen" has two primary meanings related to brewing. As a verb, to krausen means to add newly fermenting wort to beer to achieve natural carbonation. This process is also referred to as gyle.1

As a noun, krausen refers to the fermenting wort itself. The word originates from German, where kräusen can mean to curl back from the edge, describing the foam produced during brewing.21

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beer
Maturation and packaging
…of actively fermenting wort (called krausen) generates carbon dioxide, which is vented and purges the green beer of undesirable volatile compounds. Continued yeast activity also removes strong flavouring compounds such as diacetyl. Allowing pressure to build up in the sealed vessel then increases the level of carbonation, giving the beer…
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…of actively fermenting wort (called krausen) generates carbon dioxide, which is vented and purges the green beer of undesirable volatile compounds. Continued yeast activity also removes strong flavouring compounds such as diacetyl. Allowing pressure to build up in the sealed vessel then increases the level of carbonation, giving the beer…
Read More