Opportunities for brewer’s spent grain as a food ingredient

It is estimated that about 39 million tons of brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is produced annually worldwide and sold for animal feed. In the Netherlands the total production of this side stream is 0.5 million tons annually. Spent grain is a residual waste stream that is left over from the brewing of beer.

Using BSG for human consumption

Brewer’s spent grain is very high in protein and energy. Now it is mainly used in the feed sector, while spent grain could also produce delicious healthy bread. Low-carbohydrate bread with fewer sugars. You can also add BSG directly to products such as cookies, biscuits, muffins, yogurt and milk and ready-to-eat snacks. BSG for human consumption can achieve a greater profit, bakers and flour manufacturers get a sustainable circular product and you use local circular production. 

So why is brewer’s spent grain mainly used in the feed sector?

BSG now spoils within a day due to the very high water, sugar, and protein content. This makes it difficult to transport and further process into food within a short period of time. Until recently, there were preservation methods available but none of them combined food safety, efficiency and profitability in one process. However, technology is advancing. There are new methods for sterilizing brewer’s spent grain who are efficient, have low operating costs and can handle huge quantities of freshly drained brew grains on a scale never seen before.

Global ‘Brewer’s spent grain’ online event

During Foodvalley's online 'Brewer's spent grain' event on 8 February 2022, from 16.00 to 18.00 (CET), the organisation will show which applications for beer brine already exist, besides animal feed. The event will cover market trends, insights and opportunities.

Foodvalley.nl