Membrane Filtration Technology for the Production of Alcohol-free Beer
GEA AromaPlus Membrane Dealcoholization Unit
Supporting small to large feed rates, and configurable for both batch and continuous processes, the dedicated AromaPlus system is built on our reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filtration technology. Whichever process you choose, the AromaPlus technology removes alcohol to 0.5% or to 0.05% ABV.
Frame-mounted and ready for installation, the AromaPlus unit includes filtration modules fitted with special reverse osmosis membranes, pumps, internal piping, a clean-in-place (CIP) dosing unit and control technology for semi-automatic operation. The unit layout is modular, enabling the alcohol content of the beer, desired degree of dealcoholization and other factors to be adapted according to the specific process. Depending on their size, AromaPlus units are designed to batch process 50 to ≥ 1.000 hL per day, although larger dealcoholization units for continuous processing are available.
Dealcoholization by pressure
Reverse osmosis works at filtration temperatures of approximately 10 to 15 °C, presenting no thermal stress to the beer. The composite membranes allow water and alcohol to pass through and, as such, essential ingredients that comprise the aroma, color and turbidity are retained. GEA uses thin-film polymer membranes because they have a higher chemical resistance than the cellulose acetate membranes originally used for dealcoholization.
Dealcoholization of craft beer
The AromaPlus system is also cost-effective, so that even smaller breweries can consider investing in a dedicated dealcoholization unit on site.
Operating parameters and performance data
- Capacities from 50 hl batch operation up to ≥ 50 hl/h continuous processing
- Alcohol reduction down to 0.05% ABV
- Low operating temperature (approx. 10-15 °C)
AromaPlus at-a-glance
- Compact system design with straightforward instrumentation and control requirements
- Skid-mounted, prewired system
- Batch processing or continuous production
- Automatic control and visualization with touchscreen for easy operation
- Easy-to-clean membrane system
- Clean-in-place (CIP) dosing unit and integrated CIP routines
- Spiral-wound reverse osmosis AromaPlus membranes
Customer Stories
Non-alcoholic beer: Preserving the magic of taste
Presented by The Brewers of Europe and produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, the GEA, film is part of the Brewing Ambition series, which gives a snapshot of a European beer culture with a strong heritage and a bright future ahead.
Staying close to our end customer
Adnams Brewery (UK) responds to growing low-alcohol demand by producing award-winning Ghost Ship 0,5% using GEA’s AromaPlus membrane dealcoholization technology .Fergus Fitzgerald, Adnams Head Brewer wanted to get close to the flavor and sensation of Ghost Ship 4.5% abv, Adnams’ main seller.
Andechs Monastery Brewery
GEA’s reverse osmosis dealcoholization technology preserves the original character of the Andechs wheat beer.
Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas Oy
A Scandinavian first for dealcoholization of beer with the GEA AromaPlus.
Downloads
Related Products
Beer Recovery Unit
GEA cross-flow filtration with robust ceramic membranes are used for the effective recovery of beer from tank bottoms. Modular plants are supplied on compact skids in three standard sizes with processing capacities of approximately 250 hl, 500 hl and 1000 hl per day depending on the dry solids content of the product.
CIP Recovery Unit
It is now possible to recover more than 90 percent of a spent caustic solution by using pH-resistant nanofiltration (NF) membranes. Benefits include reduced operating costs and better performance.
Condensate Polisher
Condensate from evaporation plants is used as boiler feed water, process, cooling, and rinsing water or is directly discharged into a drainage ditch. For this purpose, the condensate must be purified. Impurities in the condensate can be removed by membrane filtration, in the particular case by reverse osmosis, and high condensate qualities can be...
Membrane Unit to Produce FAB
GEA’s cross-flow membrane filtration units have been specifically designed to deliver a clear, colorless, tasteless and aroma-free neutral alcoholic base. The neutral alcohol base used in a hard seltzer derives from a fermentation process with no distillation step.
GEA Insights
Video: GEA's 2025 year in review
This year was a big one for GEA. Can you remember all the milestones and highlights?
Touching lives, lifting communities
The GEA Foundation launched this year with a promise: to make a tangible difference in people's lives. From scholarships in Germany to clean water in Tanzania, the foundation is already proving that when companies commit to giving back, lives change.
Farmers reap benefits of tailored GEA batch milking system
Automated milking has become the first choice for many modern dairy farms. The benefits are compelling, and with a new batch milking solution from GEA, automated group milking for large dairy herds is possible without the need – and expense – of rebuilding existing facilities.
