In recent years, the demand for low- and non-alcoholic beverages has been on the rise as consumers increasingly seek healthier options. Whether for personal health, wellness trends, or lifestyle changes, more people are looking for beverages that offer the same enjoyment without the alcohol content. BevZero’s Equipment Sales and Distribution division has stepped up to meet this growing need by offering the revolutionary ClearAlc Dealcoholization Technology. But what exactly is ClearAlc, and how does it work? Let’s take a closer look at this cutting-edge technology and how it can benefit a beverage producer.

What is ClearAlc?

ClearAlc is BevZero Equipment’s proprietary alcohol removal technology designed specifically to help beverage producers to easily incorporate into their facilities to embrace the rise of the non-alcoholic trend. It allows producers to gently and effectively remove alcohol from wine, cider, and spirits while preserving the original flavor profile, aroma, and mouthfeel. ClearAlc is unique because it not only removes alcohol but also retains the quality and integrity of the beverage, ensuring a final product that is virtually indistinguishable from its alcoholic counterpart.

How Does ClearAlc Work?

The ClearAlc system works by using a highly energy-efficient, single pass vacuum distillation process. This innovative method separates the alcohol from the beverage without exposing it to excessive heat or pressure, which can compromise the flavor and aroma. Here’s a breakdown of the ClearAlc process:

1. STEP 1: PREHEATING

Before introducing the liquid product into the first column for alcohol removal, it is gently heated using the heat recovered from both the dealcoholized product and the rectified alcohol. This preheat is a highly efficient process saving energy and reducing the heat requirement needed for dealcoholization.

1. STEP 2: ESSENCE RECOVERY (Column 1)

The product is gently preheated via a countercurrent flow using warm streams from the created from the process.  Then the volatile aromas (heads) are removed and retained for later use. In this step the wine can also be degasificated.

3. STEP 3. ALCOHOL REMOVAL (Column 2)

After the volatile aromas are removed, the liquid moves to Column 2 where it is dealcoholized and separated into 3 fractions:

• Completed dealcoholized product at 45° C
• Alcohol Rich Vapors at 45% abv
• Heavy aromas A (Tails): Rich in heavy aromas and flavors and are retained for later use.

1. STEP 4: ALCOHOL RECTIFICATION (Column 3)

The alcohol rich vapors at 45% abv go to the rectification column where they are distilled to a high-quality alcohol and are separated into 3 fractions:

• Spirits at 92% abv (Hearts)
• Light Aromas (Heads): Rich in light aromas and flavors and are retained for later use.
• Heavy Aromas B (Tails): Rich in heavy aromas and flavors and are retained for later use.

1. STEP 5: REINTRODUCE AROMAS TO DEALCOHOLIZED PRODUCT TO REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS

While only a small amount of the volatile aromas are needed for reintroduction to the dealcoholized fraction in a non-alcoholic product, the rest of the alcohol that is captured (Heads, Hearts and Tails) can be used to create other products.   By carefully blending portions of the heads and tails with the hearts, distillers can create unique products with nuanced flavors and aromas, balancing smoothness with character.

What are the benefits?

Low Temperature Application

ClearAlc uses an advanced temperature control and vacuum system.  This reduces the maximum temperature of the boiling point lower than comparable technologies. This provides a gentle process preventing any thermal damage during the separation of alcohol and volatile components from the rest of the liquid, ensuring that the delicate flavors and aromas of the beverage remain intact.

Alcohol Removal in a single pass

ClearAlc dealcoholization technology uses a highly energy-efficient, single pass vacuum distillation process.  As the alcohol is separated from the beverage, what’s left behind is a high-quality, non-alcoholic or low-alcohol product that maintains the characteristics of the original drink. ClearAlc is able to remove alcohol down to 0.05% abv.

Superior Flavor Separation and Preservation

The ClearAlc system offers superior flavor separation and preservation capabilities to separate different volatile aromatic compounds (heads, hearts, and tails).  The alcohol can then be rectified to 92% abv to produce an additional product stream.  This flexibility allows producers to create unique high-quality products from spirits to low and no, while preserving the natural flavors and aromas.

Reintegration of Volatiles

The final step of the process involves reintegrating the volatile components back into the alcohol-free base, restoring the beverage’s flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel. This is key for no and low alcohol products:  creating an alcohol free product that retains the characteristics of its original version.

Benefits of ClearAlc for Beverage Producers

The ClearAlc technology is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of beverages, making it a game-changer for beverage producers who want to add a dealcoholization plant to tap into the growing non-alcoholic beverage market without compromising on quality.

ClearAlc offers a number of advantages for producers looking to diversify their product offerings with non-alcoholic or low-alcohol options:

Quality Preservation

One of the key benefits of the ClearAlc process is its ability to retain the beverage’s original taste, aroma, and texture. This is crucial for consumers who want to enjoy the same flavors they expect from traditional alcoholic drinks, without the alcohol.

Versatility

ClearAlc can be applied to a variety of beverages, including wine, cider, and spirits. This flexibility allows producers to create a wide range of alcohol-free or low-alcohol products that cater to different consumer preferences.

Turnkey

Another benefit of ClearAlc is its ability to offer customizable and turnkey solutions tailored to the specific needs of a producer. Whether you’re looking to integrate the ClearAlc technology from greenfield or as an add-on to an existing production facility, ClearAlc can be fine-tuned to achieve your desired outcome.

Cost-Effectiveness

By allowing beverage producers to utilize their existing product lines and simply modify the alcohol content, ClearAlc reduces the need for entirely new production processes. This makes it a cost-effective solution for entering the non-alcoholic market.

Sustainability

BevZero Equipment’s ClearAlc Technology is energy-efficient and uses minimal resources, aligning with the growing consumer demand for sustainable products and production methods.

ClearAlc Dealcoholization Technology from BevZero

As the demand for alcohol-free and low-alcohol beverages continues to grow, BevZero Equipment Sales and Distribution, offers the ClearAlc dealcoholization technology as a solution, balancing innovation, quality, and sustainability. By using a gentle, effective alcohol removal process, ClearAlc enables producers to easily add a dealcoholization plant and start creating beverages that appeal to today’s consumers without sacrificing taste or enjoyment.

If you’re a beverage producer considering your own dealcoholization equipment, now is the perfect time to consider ClearAlc. Contact BevZero or reach out to us at info@bevzero.com today to learn more.

Visit our website if you are interested in learning more about BevZero’s dealcoholization service.