Understanding DMS and DMSp

Understanding DMS and DMSp: a long-standing brewing challenge and recent innovations to develop DMS-free barley.

The presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in finished beer has challenged maltsters and brewers for decades. DMS contributes a distinct aroma of cooked corn, vegetable, or tomato sauce, which in many cases is considered a significant flaw. The primary mechanism for DMS formation is the degradation of S-methylmethionine (SMM or DMSp) derived from malt to DMS during wort boiling. The standard tactics to combat the problem are applications of heat: proper kilning in the malthouse to degrade SMM and sufficient wort boiling and evaporation in the brewhouse. Recent innovations in breeding have identified the genetic control of SMM formation and successful backcrossing efforts have introgressed the DMSp-free trait into a contemporary barley background. Carlsberg has released lines with the DMSp-free trait stacked with a number of other innovative traits. 

This free webinar is co-hosted by the Brewers Association and American Malting Barley Association. Registration is required. 


Speakers:

Dr. Glen Fox | Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Science at the University of California
Professor Glen Fox was appointed the Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Science at the  University of California in July 2019 after 30 years of research in Australian, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and  China. Dr Fox holds MSc, PhD and DSc degrees. He has over 150 publications consisting of books, book chapters and  journal papers and over 200 conference presentations. His areas of research are grains, malt and brewing  quality. His current research focus is on starch and protein structure and their interactions and their impacts on  wort and beer quality. Another research interest is using a number of ‘omics platforms to understand the complex biochemical changes during malting and brewing and the final compositional profile of beer. He also has research  investigating infrared spectroscopy for rapid assessment of grain, malt and beer quality. In 2018, he was elected a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Brewing and Distilling. Professor Fox is in charge of the undergraduate and  graduate brewing programs at UC Davis, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company research laboratory. He is also on numerous industry committees. 

Dr. Birgitte Skadhauge | Vice President, Carlsberg Research Laboratory (Carlsberg Group R&D); Adjunct Professor, University of Copenhagen
Birgitte holds a Ph.D. in Plant Genetics and Biochemistry from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in  Copenhagen. With nearly three decades of experience in brewing science, fermentation and crop research, her  work has focused on barley genetics, trait development, and innovation in brewing and fermentation technologies. Birgitte has held multiple leadership roles within Carlsberg, and she is a member of the company’s  global leadership team. She has contributed extensively to scientific literature and holds numerous patents related to raw materials, traits and beverage production. In addition to her industrial leadership, she serves on several  boards and scientific advisory boards and is a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters. 

Dr. Søren Knudsen | Director, Reinvent Planet & Health at Carlsberg Research Laboratory
Søren holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen. Søren has led and coordinated long‑term research programs in cereal genetics, breeding, and sustainable crop development.  These programs focused on barley, wheat, and emerging perennial crops, integrating mutant screening with  high‑throughput genetic technologies for trait development. Key achievements include the development of the  novel mutant detection technology FIND‑IT; the identification and characterization of hundreds of mutants  relevant to malting, brewing, feed value, disease resistance, and climate resilience; and the successful translation of selected traits into breeding pipelines.