Tintometer ET4100 Beer Colorimeter
| Origin | UK |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | ET4100 |
| Pricing | Upon Request |
Overview
The Tintometer ET4100 Beer Colorimeter is a dedicated photometric instrument engineered for the precise quantification of beer color according to the European Brewery Convention (EBC) scale—a standardized method formally recognized by the European Brewery Convention and widely adopted across global brewing laboratories, quality control departments, and malt houses. Based on the principle of visual color comparison against calibrated Lovibond glass color standards—traceable to NIST-traceable reference materials—the ET4100 delivers repeatable, operator-independent EBC values without reliance on subjective human vision. Unlike spectrophotometers requiring complex calibration routines or spectral deconvolution, the ET4100 employs a fixed-wavelength optical path optimized for the 430 nm region, where absorbance correlates linearly with EBC color intensity in clarified beer and related carbohydrate-rich solutions such as wort, malt extract, and caramelized syrups. Its robust, IP65-rated enclosure ensures reliable operation in humid production environments, including brewhouse floors, packaging lines, and mobile QA vans.
Key Features
- Optimized optical system with stabilized 430 nm LED source and matched silicon photodetector for high signal-to-noise ratio and long-term photometric stability
- Dedicated EBC measurement mode—no user-selectable wavelength or unit conversion required; direct readout in EBC units (range: 1–40 EBC, typical for pale lagers to imperial stouts)
- Integrated Lovibond glass filter set (EBC 2–40) mechanically aligned and factory-verified for compliance with EBC Method 8.1.1 and ASBC Beer-1
- Waterproof, corrosion-resistant housing (IP65) with chemical-resistant keypad and sealed optical chamber—suitable for wet cleaning and exposure to ethanol, CO₂, and acidic cleaning agents
- Battery-powered operation (4 × AA alkaline, >2,000 measurements per charge) with optional AC adapter for continuous lab use
- Zero-adjust function with blank cuvette compensation to correct for meniscus variation, turbidity scatter, and cuvette path-length drift
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ET4100 is validated for use with clarified beer samples filtered through 0.45 µm membrane filters (per EBC 8.1.1), wort, malt extracts, caramel solutions, and non-opalescent sugar syrups. It excludes turbid, hazy, or highly fluorescent samples unless pre-treated per ASBC Recommended Practice Beer-1. Instrument performance conforms to EBC Technical Monograph No. 8 (2022 edition) and aligns with ISO 4833-1:2013 for microbiological sample handling compatibility. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant out-of-the-box (lacking electronic audit trail), its manual data recording workflow supports GLP-compliant documentation when paired with controlled lab notebooks and signed verification logs.
Software & Data Management
The ET4100 operates as a standalone, firmware-based instrument with no embedded software stack or connectivity interfaces (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, or Ethernet). All measurements are displayed on a high-contrast LCD and recorded manually. For traceable digital archiving, users may integrate the device into LIMS or ELN systems via external barcode-scanned sample ID entry and manual transcription. Optional Tintometer LogBook™ companion software (sold separately) enables batch-level export of EBC readings, statistical trend analysis (X̄/R charts), and PDF report generation compliant with internal QA SOPs.
Applications
- Routine color verification of finished beer batches prior to packaging (EBC specification check vs. style guidelines)
- In-process monitoring of kettle color development during wort boiling and Maillard reaction control
- Raw material qualification of malt—especially kilned and roasted varieties—against supplier specifications
- Quality assurance of caramel colorants (E150a–d) used in dark beers and RTD beverages
- Teaching and training in brewing science curricula where EBC methodology forms part of core analytical competency assessment
- Field-based QC for contract brewers and small-scale craft facilities lacking full-spectrum spectrophotometry infrastructure
FAQ
Does the ET4100 measure SRM or absorbance at 430 nm directly?
No—it reports only EBC units, calculated internally using the standard conversion factor (EBC = 25 × A₄₃₀, where A₄₃₀ is absorbance in a 1 cm cell). SRM must be derived externally (SRM ≈ EBC × 1.97).
Can it be recalibrated by the end user?
No—optical calibration is performed at the factory using NIST-traceable reference filters. Field verification is conducted with supplied EBC 10 and EBC 25 validation standards.
Is temperature compensation built-in?
No—samples must be measured at 20 °C ± 0.5 °C per EBC 8.1.1; ambient temperature drift affects refractive index and thus apparent absorbance.
What cuvette type is required?
Standard 10 mm square-path quartz or optical-grade glass cuvettes (10 mm light path); polycarbonate is not recommended due to UV degradation and birefringence.
How often should the instrument be verified?
Daily before first use when employed in regulated environments; weekly minimum for R&D applications—using certified Lovibond EBC reference standards.
