2 min read
How does GC work in Alcohol testing
When you brew beer or cider, you’re not just creating flavour you’re producing ethanol. But how do you know if the ABV...
Flavour Profiling for Alcoholic Beverages
Keep every batch on-brand with clear, repeatable GC data.
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The Challenge You're Facing
Flavour profiling may sound straightforward, but producers know it rarely is. Alcohol-rich samples make it hard to detect trace-level compounds, and subtle flavour drift can creep in without warning. Off-notes often appear too late, after release, when there’s no chance to correct them.
Sensory panels add useful insight, but they can be inconsistent. Third-party testing is reliable, but it takes time and budget you don’t always have. Meanwhile, production teams are under pressure to release faster, troubleshoot flavour shifts, and keep quality tight with limited resources.
You need a method that’s fast, repeatable, and robust enough for real-world production.
Why Gas Chromatography?
Gas chromatography (GC) is one of the most trusted techniques for flavour analysis. It separates and quantifies volatile compounds, even in challenging, high-ethanol samples.
With GC, producers can:
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Detect esters, higher alcohols, aldehydes, sulphur notes, and other key flavour markers at trace levels
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Track subtle drift between batches
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Identify off-flavours before they reach the consumer
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Support product development and supplier checks with clear, objective data
It’s not about replacing sensory panels, it’s about backing them with repeatable science.
A Practical Solution Built for Production
The Ellutia 200 Series GC is an off-the-shelf solution for alcohol flavour profiling. Designed to be compact, reliable, and easy to run, it gives producers the confidence of GC data without the complexity of research instruments.
With the 200 Series GC, you can:
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Detect trace compounds even when ethanol dominates the sample
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Zoom in on subtle volatiles using range switching, without masking from major peaks
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Get consistent, reproducible data that supports confident release decisions
This isn’t a bespoke project or a long integration. It’s a proven instrument, ready to slot into your workflow and start delivering results straight away.
What you gain
When you bring the 200 Series GC into your lab, you gain more than data, you gain control.
You’ll be able to:
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Make faster, evidence-based release decisions
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Keep flavour consistency across every batch
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Catch off-flavours early, before they become costly problems
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Reduce delays and costs from external testing
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Support NPD and supplier evaluations with clear, objective results
It shifts you from reactive problem-solving to proactive flavour management, with confidence at every step.
Get in touch
Tell us about your product, flavour targets, and current challenges.
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