Coming soon: Rice beer

The time may not be long when the Philippines can boast of a locally produced beverage: Rice beer.

Now pursuing this is a project being undertaken by researchers of the Department of Agriculture-Philippines Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice).

Titled ‘Optimization of Process Parameters for Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Beer Production in the Philippines,’ the scientific study is being conducted by Evelyn Bandonill, Henry Mamucod, and Priscilla Sanchez.

The study aims to find out if it is possible to use 100 percent rice and some locally grown additives in the production of beer.

"The idea of using 100 percent rice in beer brewing has not yet been explored in the Philippines despite the fact that rice is ubiquitous in almost all countries, particularly in Asia," said the researchers as reported by Rita de la Cruz of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).

The beer making process was done at the PhilRice Rice Chemistry and Food Science Division at the PhilRice central experiment station in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Preliminary testings indicated that rice is a good material in beer mainly because it is good source of starch. The properties of barley, an important ingredient in beer making, are not so different from rice.

The researchers noted that both grains have husks that are advantageous owing to their less fat and protein content.

Through the study, the PhilRice research team have identified additives other than hops (a bitter ingredient added to the beer mix mainly for flavor).

Duhat and tanglad were used as alternatives for hops to improve the flavor, aroma, and color of beer.

Results of the chemical analysts showed that rice beer has a better quality compared to two commercial beers used in the study. Regarding chemical and sensory quality, the carbonated beer produced from rice had no significant difference from that of the commercial beers.

The taste, though, is yet to be subjected to further general acceptability, as it needs more refinement that suits the consumers’ standards. Nevertheless, the potential of rice as main substrate for beer manufacture has been positive enough to excite local beer manufacturers. – Rudy A. Fernandez