Patent Description:
Water is the major component in most beverages, including fermented malt beverages, hard cider, beer, etc., and/or other alcoholic beverages. The more water that is present, given a fixed amount of ethanol present in an alcoholic beverage, the heavier the alcoholic beverage will be. As can be appreciated, shipping or transporting these physically heavier alcoholic beverages can have negative effects on the environment and on the costs of the beverage product.

Reducing the water content of malt beverages can significantly reduce the overall weight of the product by producing a dewatered alcoholic beverage product. Due to the reduced weight of the dewatered alcoholic beverage product, the product can be efficiently transported, shipped, and stored. Once the product reaches an intended destination, and prior to consumption, the dewatered alcoholic beverage product can be reconstituted by simply adding water or, in some cases, carbonated water. Among other benefits, the production of a dewatered alcoholic beverage product can reduce the costs and environmental impact associated with transporting and storing standard, or sales gravity, alcoholic beverages and products.

<CIT>discloses a system and method to produce a beverage concentrate such as a beer extract. A forward osmosis (FO) filtration technique removes pure water from a conventional brewed beer; accordingly, the beer extract can be produced without distillation or other alteration steps that may negatively impact of flavor and aroma components of the beer. A draw solution is used to provide a differential osmotic pressure through a FO filtration device. The diluted draw solution is recycled by reverse osmosis, distillation, and combinations thereof.

The invention provides a method for filtering and stabilizing an ultra-high gravity (UHG) alcoholic beverage, comprising:.

The present invention also provides a system for filtering and stabilizing a UHG alcoholic beverage, comprising:.

<CIT>does not disclose a filtration system comprising a series of filter elements arranged in a fluid flow path, the series of filters comprising a pre-filter comprising at least one coarse particle size filter and a fine-filter comprising at least one fine particle size filter. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method and system that provides a stabilized and bright ultra-high gravity (UHG) alcoholic beverage. In some embodiments, the UHG alcoholic beverage may be pre-treated, or preconditioned, prior to being dewatered. For example, it may be desired to remove dissolved oxygen from a high gravity (HG) alcoholic beverage (e.g., having an alcohol by volume (ABV) of approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>%, etc.) prior to dewatering it into a UHG alcoholic beverage (e.g., having approximately <NUM>% ABV, or more). This pre-treatment can be accomplished by use of nitrogen purged fluid lines through which the HG alcoholic beverage passes. As the HG alcoholic beverage passes through the fluid lines that are purged with the nitrogen gas, dissolved oxygen is removed from the HG alcoholic beverage. Additionally or alternatively, the HG alcoholic beverage may be physically stabilized prior to being supplied to a dewatering system (e.g., a forward osmosis (FO) system, etc.). In some embodiments, the HG alcoholic beverage may be "chill proofed" prior to entering the dewatering system. In any event, physical stabilization may be obtained by the selective addition of any one or more of tannic acid, silica gels (e.g., silica xerogel, silica hydrogel, or the like), polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) treatment, proteolytic enzyme, pectinase enzyme and/or cold treatment, holding the HG alcoholic beverage at a temperature of to -<NUM> to -<NUM> for a predetermined period of time, etc., and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, silica, PVPP, and/or nylon <NUM> (e.g., polyamide (C<NUM>H<NUM>N<NUM>O<NUM>)n, etc.) may be used to sorb proteins, tannins, and/or other material (e.g., haze precursors, etc.) in the HG alcoholic beverage or the UHG alcoholic beverage at a temperature of approximately -<NUM> to -<NUM>. In one embodiment, the chill proofing may include a pre-treatment comprising an enzyme treatment of the proteins in the alcoholic beverage and a depth filtration at a temperature of approximately -<NUM> to -<NUM>.

According to the invention, a method for filtering and stabilizing UHG alcoholic beverage is provided, comprising: receiving the UHG alcoholic beverage from a forward osmosis (FO) system; introducing the UHG alcoholic beverage into a chilled holding tank set at a temperature within a range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>; holding the UHG alcoholic beverage in the chilled holding tank for a predetermined amount of time such that the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is within the range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>, and wherein the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is prevented from falling below a freezing point of the UHG alcoholic beverage; pumping the UHG alcoholic beverage from the chilled holding tank through a filtration system; and collecting the UHG alcoholic beverage filtered by the filtration system.

In some embodiments, a method for filtering and stabilizing UHG alcoholic beverages produced by a forward osmosis system is provided, comprising: conveying a UHG alcoholic beverage into a chilled holding tank set at a temperature within a range of - <NUM> to -<NUM>, wherein the UHG alcoholic beverage is produced by the forward osmosis system and is between <NUM>% and <NUM>% alcohol by volume; maintaining the UHG alcoholic beverage in the chilled holding tank for a holding time set between <NUM> minutes and <NUM> hours such that the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is within the range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>, and wherein the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is prevented from falling below a freezing point of the beverage; pumping, after expiration of the holding time, the UHG alcoholic beverage from the chilled holding tank through a multi-stage filtration system comprising filters arranged in an order progressing from coarse particle size filtration elements to fine particle size filtration elements, wherein the UHG alcoholic beverage contains haze compounds prior to entering the filtration system, and wherein filtration system removes the haze compounds from the UHG alcoholic beverage; and collecting, via a storage tank, the UHG alcoholic beverage pumped through the multi-stage filtration system.

According to the invention, a system for filtering and stabilizing a UHG alcoholic beverage is provided, comprising: a feed stream providing the UHG alcoholic beverage from a forward osmosis system; a chilled tank set at a temperature within a range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>, wherein the chilled tank holds the UHG alcoholic beverage received from the feed stream for a predetermined amount of time such that the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is within the range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>, and wherein the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is prevented from falling below a freezing point of the beverage while being held in the chilled tank; a filtration system comprising a series of filter elements arranged in a fluid flow path; a pump that conveys the UHG alcoholic beverage from the chilled tank after expiration of the predetermined amount of time through the filtration system via the fluid flow path; and a collection tank that stores the UHG alcoholic beverage pumped through the filtration system.

In some embodiments, a system for filtering and stabilizing a UHG alcoholic beverage is provided, comprising: a feed stream providing the UHG alcoholic beverage, wherein the UHG alcoholic beverage is prepared by a forward osmosis subcomponent to receive as an input, a very-high gravity alcoholic beverage and a draw solution and, via forward osmosis, output an ultra-high gravity alcoholic beverage having a greater alcohol by volume percentage than the very-high gravity alcoholic beverage and spent draw solution; a chilled tank set at a temperature within a range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>, wherein the chilled tank holds the UHG alcoholic beverage received from the feed stream for a predetermined amount of time such that the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is within the range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>; a filtration system comprising a series of filter elements arranged in a fluid flow path; a pump that conveys the UHG alcoholic beverage from the chilled tank after expiration of the predetermined amount of time through the filtration system via the fluid flow path; and a collection tank that stores the UHG alcoholic beverage pumped through the filtration system.

In some embodiments, a method for filtering and stabilizing a UHG alcoholic beverage is provided, comprising: receiving UHG alcoholic beverage from a forward osmosis system, wherein the forward osmosis system comprises: a reverse osmosis subcomponent to receive high gravity alcoholic beverage and output a very-high gravity alcoholic beverage having a greater alcohol by volume percentage than the high gravity alcoholic beverage; and a forward osmosis subcomponent to receive as an input, the very-high gravity alcoholic beverage and a draw solution and, via forward osmosis, output the UHG alcoholic beverage having a greater alcohol by volume percentage than the very-high gravity alcoholic beverage and spent draw solution; introducing the UHG alcoholic beverage into a chilled holding tank set at a temperature within a range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>, wherein the temperature range is above a freezing point of the UHG alcoholic beverage; holding the UHG alcoholic beverage in the chilled holding tank for a predetermined amount of time such that the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is within the range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>; pumping the UHG alcoholic beverage from the chilled holding tank through a filtration system; and collecting the UHG alcoholic beverage filtered by the filtration system.

It should be appreciated that any of the ranges (e.g., temperature ranges, alcohol by volume ranges, etc.) described herein are intended to include any number associated with the upper limit, the lower limit, and/or any of the numbers therebetween.

Additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent from the following Description and the figures.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in connection with filtration and stabilization methods and systems provided after an amount of water has been removed from a UHG alcoholic beverage. As described herein, removing an amount of water content in alcohol-based beverages may increase the overall gravity of the resultant dewatered alcoholic beverage. The terms "alcoholic beverage," "alcohol-based beverage(s)," "alcohol fluid(s)," "alcohol solution(s)," and the like, may be used interchangeably herein to refer to any beer, lager, stout, ale, porter, fermented malt beverage, cider (e.g., apple, pear, etc.), alcoholic malt base, etc., and/or combination thereof. In addition, the terms "high gravity," or "HG," "very-high gravity," or "VHG," and "ultra-high gravity," or "UHG," may be used herein to refer to a relative strength of the alcoholic beverage compared to water. For instance, a UHG beer may have a relative strength or approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>% ABV (and a greater quantity of dissolved solids in the water remaining in the alcoholic beverage than that of a VHG beer), a VHG beer may have a relative strength of approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>% (and a greater quantity of dissolved solids in the water remaining in the alcoholic beverage than that of an HG beer) and an HG beer may have a relative strength of approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>% ABV, and so on. In some embodiments, the UHG beer may have a relative strength of approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>% ABV. As can be appreciated, the UHG beer has a greater amount of alcohol remaining in the alcoholic beverage than that of a VHG beer, a VHG beer has a greater amount of alcohol remaining in the alcoholic beverage than that of an HG beer, and so on. As used herein, the gravity or ABV of the alcoholic beverage may be defined and measured in accordance with Original Gravity as described, at least, by the American Society of Brewing Chemists ("ASBC") method <NUM>.

As previously described, removing water content in alcohol-based beverages increases the likelihood of solid constituents coming together and forming agglomerates of various sizes. These solid constituents may form a temporary or permanent haze in either or both of the UHG alcoholic beverage or the reconstituted sales gravity form of the alcohol (e.g., final consumable product, etc.). These solid constituents may be referred to herein as "haze compounds. " The "hazy" or "cloudy" appearance attributed to the agglomeration of the solid constituents, in most cases, are not desired and may cause a shortened shelf life of the UHG alcoholic beverage. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a post dewatering method and system that treats the UHG alcoholic beverage (e.g., beer, cider, malt beverage, etc.) to provide product clarity and ensure physical stability to the end of the shelf life of the UHG alcoholic beverage. Beer haze is principally caused by a coagulation of protein and polyphenols, with some further contribution from complex carbohydrates (e.g., xylans, pentosans, and beta glucan) and even minerals in extreme cases. Beer haze may be measured in Formazin Turbidity Units ("FTU") according to the ASBC method Beer <NUM>. An measurement of less than <NUM> FTU may correspond to a "brilliant" (e.g., clear, bright, etc.) alcoholic beverage and a measurement of greater than <NUM> FTU may correspond to a "hazy" (e.g., cloudy) alcoholic beverage.

Referring to <FIG>, a block diagram of a UHG post dewatering filtration system <NUM> is in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. UHG post dewatering filtration system <NUM> may include a chilled holding tank <NUM> and a filtration system <NUM> that is configured to reduce the temperature of incoming UHG alcoholic beverage and passes the reduced temperature UHG alcoholic beverage through a series of filters <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the UHG alcoholic beverage may be conveyed along one or more fluid lines <NUM>. The fluid lines <NUM> may comprise one or more pipes, tubes, hoses, gates, valves, and/or the like. In one embodiment, the fluid lines <NUM> may be pressurized to pump and/or otherwise convey UHG alcoholic beverage through the post dewatering filtration system <NUM>.

The UHG alcoholic beverage may be provided via an infeed stream <NUM>. The infeed stream <NUM> may correspond to the exit stream of a dewatering system, such as a forward osmosis (FO), and/or a combination reverse osmosis (RO)/FO system. In one embodiment, the UHG alcoholic beverage provided via the infeed stream <NUM> may correspond to a "rough" dewatered alcohol that has a percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV) between, and including, <NUM>% to <NUM>% ABV. Reaching an ABV above <NUM>% may require the UHG alcoholic beverage to be processed using an FO system and/or a combination RO/FO system, as described herein. Utilizing a conventional RO process alone may only provide a limited ABV for a dewatered alcoholic beverage (e.g., less than about <NUM>%). For instance, UK Patent Application No. <CIT> describes a method for concentrating an alcoholic beverage comprising subjecting the beverage to RO to form a beverage concentrate. However, the final beverage concentrate described in this UK Patent Application only reached a concentration of <NUM>% alcohol by weight. Any attempt to reach <NUM>% ABV, <NUM>% ABV, <NUM>% ABV, or even <NUM>% ABV, of the UHG alcoholic beverage without using an FO system, or a combination RO/FO, as described herein, would result in a time consuming and inefficient process, if at all possible. Further, as RO generated concentrate increases in ethanol content (e.g., beyond <NUM>% ABV, etc.) a loss of solids in the RO generated concentrate may occur. This loss of solids results in a poor quality, or taste, of the beverage when reconstituted into the sales gravity form of the alcohol as the characteristics of the source of the RO concentrate have been removed.

At least one benefit to utilizing an FO process, or a combination RO/FO process, as described herein, includes producing a UHG alcoholic beverage (e.g., having an ABV between about <NUM>% to <NUM>%) that can be stabilized utilizing a cooling and filtration system. Stated another way, the UHG alcoholic beverage can be filtered and stabilized without the use of a centrifuge, or other harmful technique, which may subject the UHG alcoholic beverage to unacceptable shear forces and compromise the integrity of the UHG alcoholic beverage.

Centrifuges, also known as separators or decanters, are well known in the brewing industry, and have been in use for many years. For instance, U. Patent Publication No. <CIT> describes using a centrifuge to remove PVPP from beer and then subjecting the centrifuged beer to a filter for further processing. Similarly, European Patent No. <CIT> describes using a centrifuge and filter to obtain a solids free liquid medium that is further processed to reduce the alcohol content. However, the use of centrifuges has certain drawbacks. For instance, the use of a centrifuge does not itself stabilize the haze in brewed beer. Rather, a centrifuge exerts extreme centrifugal forces on the beer forcing certain solids therein (e.g., proteins, yeast, hops, flavor compounds, etc.) to move from a center of a spinning disc to an outermost radial portion thereof where the solids can be conveyed to a waste tank. These extreme centrifugal forces can subject the beer to unacceptable levels of hydrodynamic shear stress damaging cell viability, decreasing physical stability, and reducing the overall quality of the beer. Among other things, the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> and the successive filter elements of the filtration system <NUM> described herein provide an efficient means for stabilizing the haze in an UHG alcoholic beverage without damaging the final sales gravity form of the product.

The term "rough" as used herein may refer to an unfiltered alcohol that has turbidity, cloudiness, and/or haziness, or the potential to produce the same within a period of weeks. As provided herein, the level of turbidity may be proportional to the number of suspended haze compounds in the UHG alcoholic beverage (e.g., the greater the number of haze compounds in the UHG alcoholic beverage the greater the turbidity of the UHG alcoholic beverage, and vice versa).

The rough UHG alcoholic beverage may be conveyed to the chilled holding tank <NUM> along one or more fluid lines <NUM> (e.g., from the infeed stream <NUM> and/or a UHG alcoholic beverage tank <NUM>). The chilled holding tank <NUM> may comprise a tank or fluid line that is temperature controlled by a chiller <NUM>. The chiller <NUM> may comprise a glycol, or other, cooled system having one or more coolant lines that wrap around a portion of the chilled holding tank <NUM>. In one embodiment, the chiller <NUM> may comprise a plate and frame heat exchanger. For instance, the UHG alcoholic beverage may flow on one side of the heat exchanger, while a coolant (e.g., glycol, etc.) may flow on the other side of the heat exchanger thereby cooling the rough UHG alcoholic beverage. In some embodiments, the fluid lines <NUM>, the inlet, and/or the outlet of chilled holding tank <NUM> may be flow controlled by one or more valves <NUM> (e.g., solenoid valves, gate valves, butterfly valves, needle valves, combinations thereof, and/or the like). Actuation of the valves <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM> (e.g., sending a control signal across bus <NUM>). The bus <NUM> may correspond to a communications, power, and/or combination bus. Additionally or alternatively, the controller <NUM> may control a temperature and set point of the chiller <NUM>. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may correspond to a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, that continually monitors a temperature of the chilled holding tank <NUM> (e.g., via one or more temperature probes, thermocouples, etc.) and adjusts the cooling provided via the chiller <NUM>. In some embodiments, the chiller <NUM> may be set to maintain the chilled holding tank <NUM> at a temperature range of, and including, -<NUM> to - <NUM>. In one embodiment, the UHG alcoholic beverage contained in the chilled holding tank <NUM> may be cooled to a temperature between, and including, -<NUM> to -<NUM>.

The UHG alcoholic beverage is held in the chilled holding tank <NUM> for a predetermined amount of time to allow the UHG alcoholic beverage to reach a predetermined temperature in a temperature range (e.g., -<NUM> to -<NUM>, etc.) that is above the freezing point for the UHG alcoholic beverage. In other words, the UHG alcoholic beverage should not be permitted to drop below a freezing point of the UHG alcoholic beverage. Holding the UHG alcoholic beverage at a temperature below its freezing point may cause the UHG alcoholic beverage to solidify (e.g., freeze, or substantially freeze, etc.). As can be appreciated, a substantially frozen or solid UHG alcoholic beverage could not be conveyed through the filtration system <NUM> or other components of the post dewatering filtration system <NUM>. Further, where the UHG alcoholic beverage is beer, freezing may cause some of the beer solids to form insoluble complexes that will not dissolve again, in effect changing the characteristics of the beer. Accordingly, the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is prevented from falling below a freezing point of the beverage while being held in the chilled holding tank or otherwise processed by the post dewatering filtration system <NUM>. For example, the UHG alcoholic beverage may be held in the chilled holding tank <NUM> for a time period between, and including, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, or even up to <NUM> hours. As can be appreciated, these times may be varied depending on the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage at the infeed stream <NUM>. In some embodiments, the holding times may be increased when the UHG alcoholic beverage at infeed stream <NUM> is warmer than a predetermined threshold value or range. Additionally or alternatively, the holding times may be decreased when the UHG alcoholic beverage at infeed stream <NUM> is cooler than the predetermined threshold value or range.

In some cases, "holding" the UHG alcoholic beverage in the chilled holding tank <NUM> may include slowly pumping, moving, or conveying the UHG alcoholic beverage along one or more fluid lines inside the chilled holding tank <NUM>. Stated another way, the UHG alcoholic beverage does not need to remain in a static, or unmoving, condition in the chilled holding tank <NUM> for the predetermined time period until the UHG alcoholic beverage reaches the predetermined temperature range (e.g., between and including -<NUM> to -<NUM>, etc.).

Once sufficiently cooled, the reduced temperature UHG alcoholic beverage may be passed onto the filtration system <NUM>. In one embodiment, the UHG alcoholic beverage may be pumped through one or more fluid line <NUM> via a pump <NUM>. The filtration system <NUM> includes a series of filters <NUM>, <NUM> arranged to progressively filter solids, ingredients, haze compounds, and/or their precursors from the UHG alcoholic beverage. The filters <NUM>, <NUM> include a pre-filter <NUM> having a first size of filter media and a fine-filter <NUM> having a second size of filter media. In one embodiment, the series of filters <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise one or more filter elements having a fixed size of filter media. This fixed size of filter media may be coarse, fine, or some other predetermined size therebetween, for each filter element. In some embodiments, the first size of filter media may be coarser than the second size of filter media. According to the appended claims, the filtration system of the present invention comprises a series of filter elements arranged in a fluid flow path, the series of filters comprising a pre-filter comprising at least one coarse particle size filter and a fine-filter comprising at least one fine particle size filter. For instance, the pre-filter <NUM> may include one or more "coarse" cellulose and/or polypropylene membranes having a <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer filtration size. The fine-filter <NUM> may include a ceramic and/or polysulfone membrane, a polypropylene filter, and/or a diatomaceous earth (e.g., viscose, silica, and/or perlite, etc.) depth filter. The fine-filter <NUM> may have a "fine" filtration size set smaller, or finer, than the pre-filter <NUM> (e.g., less than <NUM> micrometer filtration size, etc.). In some embodiments, the UHG alcoholic beverage may be pumped through the filters <NUM>, <NUM> and into a storage tank <NUM>, where the filtered and stable product <NUM> may be held prior to packaging. In some embodiments, the "coarse" filter media used in the pre-filter <NUM> may correspond to a filter media having a <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer filtration size and the "fine" filter used in the fine-filter <NUM> may correspond to a filter media having a <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer filtration size. In one embodiment, the "coarse" filter media used in the pre-filter <NUM> may correspond to a filter media having a <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer filtration size and the "fine" filter used in the fine-filter <NUM> may correspond to a filter media having a <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer filtration size.

<FIG> shows a block diagram depicting an illustrative controller <NUM> in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The controller <NUM> may be part of the chilled holding tank <NUM>, the filtration system <NUM>, and/or any other component in the post dewatering filtration system <NUM>. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be separate and apart from the components of the post dewatering filtration system <NUM>. In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> may comprise at least one of a programmable logic controller (PLC), synchronous link controller (SLC), industrial computer system, computer, mobile device, smartphone, combinations thereof, and/or the like. In any event, the controller <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a network interface <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may correspond to one or many computer processing devices. For instance, the processor <NUM> may be provided as silicon, as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), any other type of Integrated Circuit (IC) chip, a collection of IC chips, or the like. As a more specific example, the processor <NUM> may be provided as a microprocessor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), or plurality of microprocessors that are configured to execute the instructions sets <NUM> stored in memory <NUM>. Upon executing the instructions stored in memory <NUM>, the processor <NUM> enables various device and system control in the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> including, but in no way limited to, temperature control, chiller control, pump control, valve actuation (e.g., opening and closing, etc.), timers, PID control, etc., and/or combinations thereof.

The memory <NUM> may include any type of computer memory device or collection of computer memory devices. Non-limiting examples of the memory <NUM> may include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, Electronically-Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), etc. The memory <NUM> may be configured to store the instructions <NUM> depicted in <FIG> in addition to temporarily storing data for the processor <NUM> to execute various types of routines or functions. Although not depicted, the memory <NUM> may include instructions that enable the processor <NUM> to store and/or retrieve data in an automation or system control database.

The instruction sets stored in the memory <NUM> may include, but are in no way limited to, control instructions <NUM>, temperature control instructions, timing control instructions, etc. Functions of the controller <NUM> enabled by these various instruction sets will be described in further detail herein. It should be appreciated that the instructions <NUM> depicted in <FIG> may be combined (partially or completely) with other instruction sets or may be further separated into additional and different instruction sets, depending upon configuration preferences for the controller <NUM>. In any event, the particular instructions <NUM> depicted in <FIG> should not be construed as limiting embodiments described herein.

The control instruction set <NUM>, when executed by the processor <NUM>, may enable the controller <NUM> to manage one or more operations of the pump <NUM>, valves <NUM>, chilled holding tank <NUM>, and/or the filtration system <NUM>. The control instructions <NUM> may send signals (e.g., including commands, voltage, etc.) across the bus <NUM> via the network interface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the control instructions <NUM> may control movement of the UHG alcoholic beverage through the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> by actuating valves <NUM>, activating pumps <NUM>, and/or other portions of the system <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the control instructions <NUM> may refer to timing information <NUM> to set timers (e.g., incrementing or decrementing) for maintaining the UHG alcoholic beverage in the chilled holding tank <NUM>. In one example, upon an expiration of the set timer, the controller <NUM> may send instructions to move the UHG alcoholic beverage from the chilled holding tank <NUM> in to the filtration system <NUM>. In some embodiments, the control instructions <NUM> may refer to temperature information <NUM> to set, adjust, and/or maintain a temperature, or temperature range, of the chiller <NUM>.

As provided above, the network interface <NUM> may provide the controller <NUM> with the ability to send and receive communication packets or the like over the bus <NUM>. The network interface <NUM> may be provided as a network interface card (NIC), a network port, drivers for the same, and the like. Communications between the components of the controller <NUM> and other devices in the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> may all flow through the network interface <NUM> of the controller <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram depicting a method <NUM> of filtering and stabilizing UHG alcoholic beverage is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The method <NUM> begins by receiving a rough alcohol, or UHG alcoholic beverage, at a chilled holding tank <NUM> (step <NUM>). The received UHG alcoholic beverage may be provided from an infeed stream <NUM>, or pumped from a UHG alcoholic beverage tank <NUM>, etc. In some embodiments, the dewatered alcoholic beverage may be continuously provided via a pipeline, directly from an FO or RO/FO dewatering system buffer tank, unit, or pipe.

Next, the method <NUM> continues by pumping the UHG alcoholic beverage through the chilled holding tank <NUM> and chiller <NUM> (step <NUM>). In some embodiments, prior to chilling and filtering, the UHG alcoholic beverage may be gas washed. Gas washing may include decarbonating the UHG alcoholic beverage (e.g., beer, etc.) to remove carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>). In one embodiment, another gas may be used to essentially "push" the CO<NUM> out of the UHG alcoholic beverage. Among other things, this process may significantly reduce the H<NUM>S, or other sulfur compounds, in the incoming alcoholic beverages. Additionally or alternatively, the method <NUM> may include a pre-filtration step where nitrogen gas is forced, or expelled, through a sintered steel or ceramic candle (e.g., a disperser, etc.). The bubbles resulting from the pre-filtration step may be small in size and rise to the surface of a tank containing the UHG alcoholic beverage (e.g., where the tank is not under pressure).

The UHG alcoholic beverage may be pumped through one or more fluid lines <NUM> and the chilled holding tank <NUM> via at least one pump <NUM>. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may control the pump <NUM> to move the UHG alcoholic beverage through the system <NUM> at various speeds or flow rates. In some embodiments, the chiller <NUM> may be set to maintain a predetermined temperature range of the UHG alcoholic beverage therein. For instance, the chiller <NUM> may be set to maintain a temperature range between, and including, -<NUM> to -<NUM>. As another example, the chiller <NUM> may be set to maintain a temperature range between, and including, -<NUM> to -<NUM>. In any event, the UHG alcoholic beverage should never be permitted to drop below a freezing point of the UHG alcoholic beverage. Such excessive cooling may cause the UHG alcoholic beverage to substantially freeze, or solidify, preventing the ability of the UHG alcoholic beverage to be conveyed through, or processed by, the post dewatering filtration system <NUM>. Further, running the UHG alcoholic beverage through the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> at temperatures lower than those provided herein may result in the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> removing too many constituent elements (e.g., flavor compounds, etc.) of the UHG alcoholic beverage that could negatively affect the taste and quality of the UHG alcoholic beverage when reconstituted into the sales gravity form of the alcohol.

In some embodiments, the UHG alcoholic beverage is held, or conveyed, in the chilled holding tank <NUM> at the predetermined temperature range for a period of time. Controlling the movement of the UHG alcoholic beverage in the chilled holding tank <NUM> for the period of time can ensure that the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage has been sufficiently reduced. For example, the UHG alcoholic beverage may be maintained in the chilled holding tank <NUM> for a period of time between <NUM> and <NUM> minutes. In one embodiment, the UHG alcoholic beverage may be maintained in the chilled holding tank <NUM> for a period of time between <NUM> minutes and <NUM> hours, or longer. In any event, the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is controlled and prevented from falling below a freezing point of the UHG alcoholic beverage.

Once chilled for the period of time, the method <NUM> continues by pumping, or otherwise conveying, the UHG alcoholic beverage through the pre-filter <NUM> of the filtration system <NUM> (step <NUM>). The pre-filter <NUM> corresponds to a coarse initial filter, or filter set, that separates larger solids or particulate from the UHG alcoholic beverage. As provided herein the pre-filter <NUM> may comprise one or more cellulose and/or polypropylene membranes having a <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer filtration size. In some embodiments, the pre-filter <NUM> may control a flow of the UHG alcoholic beverage through the filtration system <NUM>. For instance, the pre-filter <NUM> may reduce or eliminate turbulence from the conveyed fluid, providing a substantially laminar flow of the UHG alcoholic beverage entering the fine-filter <NUM>.

The method <NUM> continues by pumping the pre-filtered chilled UHG alcoholic beverage through the fine-filter <NUM> of the filtration system <NUM> (step <NUM>). The fine-filter <NUM> may comprise a ceramic and/or polysulfone membrane, a polypropylene filter, a diatomaceous earth (e.g., viscose, silica, and/or perlite, etc.) depth filter, screen, etc., and/or combinations thereof. In any event, the fine-filter <NUM> may comprise a filtration size, or screen, that is set to be smaller, or finer, than the filtration size, or screen, set for the pre-filter <NUM>. The filters <NUM>, <NUM> of the filtration system <NUM> are disposed in an order, or arrangement, progressing from coarse particle size filtration elements to fine particle size filtration elements. The filtration system <NUM> may be configured to remove or filter solids, ingredients (e.g., proteins, tannins, carbohydrates, etc.), and/or other haze compounds (e.g., such as pectin in the case of cider, etc.) from the UHG alcoholic beverage passed therethrough. In one embodiment, the fine-filter may include a filter having a particulate retention size of <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer.

The filtered, or "bright," UHG alcoholic beverage may be collected in one or more storage tanks <NUM> (step <NUM>). The term "bright" as used herein may refer to a filtered UHG alcoholic beverage that is substantially free of turbidity and/or is not cloudy and will not have the potential to become cloudy or hazy in the course of normal (e.g., temperature and light controlled) storage conditions over time (e.g., <NUM> days, or more, etc.), as described above (e.g., the filtered UHG alcoholic beverage may provide a substantially "brilliant" measurement according to ASBC method Beer <NUM>, etc.). The filtered UHG alcoholic beverage may include a UHG alcoholic beverage without a number of haze compounds found in the "rough" UHG alcoholic beverage. With the haze compounds substantially removed, the filtered UHG alcoholic beverage may have an increased shelf life and overall stability than unfiltered UHG alcoholic beverages. For instance, the post dewatering filtration methods and systems described herein may increase the shelf life (e.g., when compared to an unfiltered UHG alcoholic beverage having an estimated <NUM>-month shelf life, etc.) to three months, six months, or even more. Additionally or alternatively, the filtered dehydrate described herein may have a much lower propensity to agglomeration or separation than an untreated UHG alcoholic beverage. As can be appreciated, at least one benefit to the treatment methods and systems described herein is the production of a stable UHG alcoholic beverage and the final consumable product produced therefrom, which may remain stable over time (e.g., over the course of three to six months, etc.) under normal storage conditions (e.g., at a room temperature of <NUM>, refrigerated at <NUM> to <NUM>, etc.). In some embodiments, a light lager alcoholic beverage may be in the <NUM> to <NUM> FTU based on the ASBC Method Beer <NUM> range fresh and would be considered stable if it the alcoholic beverage was measured below <NUM> FTU after three months.

Referring to <FIG>, a block diagram of a system <NUM> for removing an amount of water from an alcoholic beverage is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may be provided to a forward osmosis (FO) system <NUM> to produce a UHG alcoholic beverage. In some embodiments, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may be provided via one or more fluid lines, pipes, tanks, or the like. In one embodiment, the HG alcoholic beverage may be pumped, or otherwise conveyed, along a fluid line from a manufacturing source.

As shown in <FIG>, the FO system <NUM> may utilize a draw solution to provide the necessary (reduced) osmotic pressure within the FO system <NUM>. The FO system <NUM> may correspond to an FO filtration device containing one or more sets, or banks, of FO filter membranes. In the FO system <NUM>, one side of a filter membrane (e.g., a semipermeable membrane, and/or a series of semipermeable membranes, etc.) may be contacted with the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> to be dewatered and the other side of the filter membrane may be contacted with a draw solution that results in "pulling" at least some of the water out of the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> through the filter. In some embodiments, the FO system <NUM> may be configured to handle a desired volumetric flow through the system <NUM> to accommodate desired production requirements. For example, the FO system <NUM> may comprise one or more FO membranes that provide a flow path for the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> to optimize dewatering and desired throughput. The flow path may include a serpentine pattern, or any other type of tortuous flow, path in which a surface area of the FO membrane in contact with both the HG alcoholic beverage stream and the draw solution ensures a desired level of HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> stream dewatering. It is also contemplated that the FO system <NUM> could include a plurality of FO filters arranged in series or in parallel to address desired throughput production requirements.

The HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> stream and draw solution stream may be pressurized to provide the desired flow rate through the FO system <NUM>. Accordingly, one or more pumps can be used for pressuring the respective streams. Alternatively, one or both of the streams can be gravity fed through the FO system <NUM> in which the streams have sufficient pressure heads to flow through the system <NUM>.

The permeate water and draw solution define a spent draw solution that may be subsequently transferred to an RO system <NUM> for recycling, in which the spent draw solution is treated to remove the excess water content. In some embodiments, the excess water removed may be collected (e.g., via a tank, pipe, or other fluid line) at a water purge <NUM>. The UHG alcoholic beverage, produced via the FO system <NUM>, may be ready for the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> (e.g., via the infeed stream <NUM>, etc.). In one embodiment, the UHG alcoholic beverage may have a reduced water content such that the UHG alcoholic beverage has an ABV range between, and including, approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>%. In some embodiments, the UHG alcoholic beverage may have an ABV range between, and including, approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

The spent draw solution may be returned to its original strength for reuse which may be achieved by passing the water and draw solution through a cascading set of RO stages. In a first RO stage, the retentate solution from the first RO stage may be transported to another RO filtration stage. The retentate solution from the second RO stage may be transported to yet another RO filtration stage, and so on. This cascading or serial treatment of the spent draw solution is continued until the resultant solution has the desired water content amount. This resultant solution can then be used again in the FO filtration in the FO system <NUM>. In some embodiments, the permeate stream from each RO stage may be returned to a previous RO filtration stage that has a similar water content so that there is a continual circulation of the draw solution until treated to a desired water content amount.

In some embodiments, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may be pre-treated, or preconditioned, to better place the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> in a condition to be dewatered. For example, it may be desired to remove dissolved oxygen in the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM>. This can be accomplished by use of nitrogen purged fluid lines through which the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> passes. As the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> passes through the fluid lines that are purged with the nitrogen gas, dissolved oxygen is removed from the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> supplied to the FO system <NUM> may be physically stabilized (e.g., prior to dewatering, etc.). In some embodiments, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may be "chill proofed" prior to entering the FO system <NUM>. In any event, physical stabilization may be obtained by the selective addition of any one or more of tannic acid, silica gels (e.g., silica xerogel, silica hydrogel, or the like), PVPP treatment, proteolytic enzyme, pectinase enzyme and/or cold treatment, holding the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> at a temperature of to -<NUM> to -<NUM> for a predetermined period of time, etc., and/or combinations thereof.

The treated HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> stream exits the FO system <NUM> downstream as the UHG alcoholic beverage. The UHG alcoholic beverage may then be conveyed to the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> via the infeed stream <NUM>.

When the UHG alcoholic beverage is to be prepared for consumption, a metered amount of water may be added back to the UHG alcoholic beverage, along with desired carbonation (e.g., carbonated water, etc.). In this manner, the UHG alcoholic beverage can be shipped and transported with a certain amount of water removed thereby reducing the overall weight of the product and, prior to consumption, the product can be rehydrated and/or carbonated.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a system <NUM> for efficiently removing an amount of water from a supplied alcoholic beverage (e.g., an HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> and a VHG alcoholic beverage, etc.) in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, an HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> stream, comprising an ABV between, and including, <NUM>% to <NUM>%, may be provided to the RO system <NUM> via one or more fluid lines. In some embodiments, the RO system <NUM> may provide an initial water content removal operation on the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> supplied thereto. For instance, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may be conveyed, under pressure (e.g., pumped, etc.), to the RO system <NUM> (e.g., an initial dewatering station in the system <NUM>) comprising one or more semipermeable membranes. The semipermeable membranes may serve to remove water content from the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM>. Water removed by the RO system <NUM> may be collected from one side of the one or more semipermeable membranes in a water purge <NUM> tank, or fluid line. In some embodiments, this water may be reused, recycled, or packaged, etc. Upon removing water content from the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM>, the RO system <NUM> provides a VHG alcoholic beverage on the other side of the one or more semipermeable membranes. In some embodiments, this VHG alcoholic beverage may have an ABV between, and including, <NUM>% to <NUM>%. This VHG alcoholic beverage may then be fed into the FO system <NUM> (e.g., a secondary dewatering station in the system <NUM>), which then produces a UHG alcoholic beverage, for example, having an ABV of approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>%. In some embodiments, the UHG beer may have a relative strength of approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>% ABV, and any value therein and therebetween. The UHG alcoholic beverage, produced via the FO system <NUM>, may be ready for the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> (e.g., via the infeed stream <NUM>, etc.). In some embodiments, the FO system <NUM> described in conjunction with <FIG> may be similar, if not identical, to the FO system <NUM> described in conjunction with <FIG>.

In one embodiment, the FO system <NUM> may utilize a draw solution to provide the necessary (reduced) osmotic pressure within the FO system <NUM>. The spent draw solution may be conveyed, or otherwise provided, to a distillation or subsequent RO system <NUM>. The distillation or RO system <NUM> may dewater the spent draw solution, and excess water may be drawn off in the second water purge <NUM>. The draw solution exiting the distillation or RO system <NUM> may then be reintroduced into the FO system <NUM>. In some embodiments, this recycling process of draw solution between the distillation or RO system <NUM> and the FO system <NUM> may be the same or similar to the draw solution recycling process described in conjunction with <FIG> (e.g., between the RO system <NUM> and the FO system <NUM>, etc.). In any event, the purged water from the first water purge <NUM> and/or the second water purge <NUM> may be reused, recycled, conveyed, or directed elsewhere.

<FIG> is a flow diagram depicting a method <NUM> of dewatering alcoholic beverages in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, method <NUM> begins with the receipt of an HG alcoholic beverage (step <NUM>). The HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may be provided from an infeed stream, or pumped from HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> tank, etc. In one embodiment, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may be continuously provided via a pipeline, for example, directly from an alcoholic beverage supply source. In some embodiments, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may be received via truck, railcar, pipeline, on-site storage, or other vessel. In some cases, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may have an ABV of <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

Next, the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> is conveyed (e.g., pumped, moved, etc.) along a fluid line to an initial dewatering system. The HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> may be conveyed to an RO system <NUM> where the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> is converted into a VHG alcoholic beverage (step <NUM>). For example, the RO system <NUM> may separate the HG alcoholic beverage <NUM> into separate streams. The streams may comprise a VHG alcoholic beverage stream and a removed water stream. In some embodiments, the water removed via the RO system <NUM> may be collected in a first water purge <NUM>. As provided above, this water may be reused, recycled, and/or packaged. The VHG alcoholic beverage stream may have an ABV between, and including, <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

The method <NUM> continues by conveying (e.g., pumping, moving, etc.) the VHG alcoholic beverage along a fluid line to the FO system <NUM> (step <NUM>). In step <NUM>, the VHG alcoholic beverage and a draw solution are converted into a UHG alcoholic beverage and spent draw solution, respectively. This step can increase the gravity of the VHG alcoholic beverage, having an ABV of <NUM>% to <NUM>%, to a UHG alcoholic beverage, having an ABV of <NUM>% to <NUM>%, <NUM>% to <NUM>%, or greater. The conversion of the VHG alcoholic beverage into a UHG alcoholic beverage may be similar, if not identical, to the process described in conjunction with the FO system <NUM> of <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the spent draw solution may be converted into a fresh draw solution (e.g., via a distillation and/or RO system <NUM>) for reintroduction into the FO system <NUM> (step <NUM>). Among other things, this process provides an efficient use of water in the system and allows for excess water to be reused, recycled, and/or packaged.

The method <NUM> may continue by providing the UHG alcoholic beverage to the post dewatering filtration system <NUM> via the infeed stream <NUM> (step <NUM>). In some embodiments, this step may include conveying the UHG alcoholic beverage to the dewatered alcoholic beverage tank <NUM> or directly to the chilled holding tank <NUM> via the fluid line <NUM>. Here, the method <NUM> described in conjunction with <FIG> may be performed to filter and stabilize the UHG alcoholic beverage. Stated another way, after producing the UHG alcoholic beverage via FO, the method <NUM> may continue at step <NUM> of the method of filtering and stabilizing UHG alcoholic beverage <NUM> described above.

In some embodiments, the process <NUM> described above may loop continuously, as long as step <NUM> is provided with an HG alcoholic beverage stream, and as long as the spent draw solution/fresh draw solution exists.

The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been described in relation to UHG alcoholic beverages (e.g., beer, cider, malt beverages, etc.) and post dewatering filtering and stabilizing of the same.

Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiments illustrated herein show the various components of the system collocated, certain components of the system can be located remotely, at distant portions of a distributed network, such as a LAN and/or the Internet, or within a dedicated system. Thus, it should be appreciated, that the components of the system can be combined into one or more devices, such as a server, communication device, or collocated on a particular node of a distributed network, such as an analog and/or digital telecommunications network, a packet-switched network, or a circuit-switched network. It will be appreciated from the preceding description, and for reasons of computational efficiency, that the components of the system can be arranged at any location within a distributed network of components without affecting the operation of the system.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links connecting the elements can be wired or wireless links, or any combination thereof, or any other known or later developed element(s) that is capable of supplying and/or communicating data to and from the connected elements. These wired or wireless links can also be secure links and may be capable of communicating encrypted information. Transmission media used as links, for example, can be any suitable carrier for electrical signals, including coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, and may take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.

While the flowcharts have been discussed and illustrated in relation to a particular sequence of events, it should be appreciated that changes, additions, and omissions to this sequence can occur without materially affecting the operation of the disclosed embodiments, configuration, and aspects.

A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used.

In yet another embodiment, the systems and methods of this disclosure can be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit element(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array such as PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means, or the like. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementing the methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the various aspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for the present disclosure includes computers, handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital, analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Some of these devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiple microprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and output devices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be readily implemented in conjunction with software using object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms. Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially or fully in hardware using standard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whether software or hardware is used to implement the systems in accordance with this disclosure is dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the system, the particular function, and the particular software or hardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems being utilized.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partially implemented in software that can be stored on a storage medium, executed on programmed general-purpose computer with the cooperation of a controller and memory, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the systems and methods of this disclosure can be implemented as a program embedded on a personal computer such as an applet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server or computer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated measurement system, system component, or the like. The system can also be implemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into a software and/or hardware system.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are considered to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein and other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are periodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having essentially the same functions.

Embodiments include a method for filtering and stabilizing an ultra-high gravity (UHG) alcoholic beverage, comprising: receiving the UHG alcoholic beverage from a forward osmosis (FO) system; introducing the UHG alcoholic beverage into a chilled holding tank set at a temperature within a range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>; holding the UHG alcoholic beverage in the chilled holding tank for a predetermined amount of time such that the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is within the range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>, and wherein the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is prevented from falling below a freezing point of the UHG alcoholic beverage; pumping the UHG alcoholic beverage from the chilled holding tank through a filtration system; and collecting the UHG alcoholic beverage filtered by the filtration system.

Claim 1:
A method for filtering and stabilizing an ultra-high gravity (UHG) alcoholic beverage, comprising:
receiving the UHG alcoholic beverage having <NUM>% to <NUM>% alcohol by volume (ABV) from a forward osmosis (FO) system;
introducing the UHG alcoholic beverage into a chilled holding tank (<NUM>) set at a temperature within a range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>;
holding the UHG alcoholic beverage in the chilled holding tank (<NUM>) for a predetermined amount of time such that the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is within the range of -<NUM> to -<NUM>, and wherein the temperature of the UHG alcoholic beverage is prevented from falling below a freezing point of the UHG alcoholic beverage;
pumping the UHG alcoholic beverage from the chilled holding tank (<NUM>) through a pre-filter (<NUM>) of a filtration system (<NUM>), the pre-filter comprising at least one coarse particle size filter;
pumping the UHG alcoholic beverage pre-filtered by the pre-filter (<NUM>) of the filtration system (<NUM>) through a fine-filter (<NUM>) of the filtration system (<NUM>); and
collecting the UHG alcoholic beverage filtered by the pre-filter (<NUM>) and the fine-filter (<NUM>) of the filtration system (<NUM>).