Today in 1889, US Patent 411337 A was issued, an invention of Constantin Hoffmann and Lorenz Ebert, for their “Means for Boiling, Cooling Beer.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:

The present invention relates to apparatus for sterilizing and cooling beer-wort, whereby the latter is kept completely protected against any injurious actions of the atmosphere during the whole cooling process-that is to say, from the boiling-copper to the fermenting-vat. According to the present cooling process the beer-wort is cooled either on coolers or by means of special apparatus. This takes place with the admission of ordinary atmospheric air, which has a deleterious effect upon or infects the beer-wort. That such an infection frequently takes place is proved by the many changes in the beer-wort during the cooling processes heretofore practiced, and by the various abnormal phenomena of fermentation which occur despite the employment of sound yeast. In order to obviate these inconveniences, we provide the known cooling apparatus with a casing which can be hermetically closed and bring the beer-wort, which runs boiling hot, and therefore free from germs or sprout, to the cooling apparatus into contact with sterilized air. By the introduction of sterilized air into the casing of the cooling apparatus at a certain overpressure during the cooling the beer wort remains quite free from germs or sprout, and after that the air necessary for the fermentation is introduced according to requirements and the exhalation of the same is effected.

Today in 1986, US Patent 4612196 A was issued, an invention of Henry Goldstein, Charles L. Cronan, and Etzer Chicoye, assigned to the Miller Brewing Company, for their “Preparation of Low Alcohol Beverages by Reverse Osmosis.” Here’s the Abstract:

A traditional flavored fermented alcoholic beverage of low alcohol content is prepared by reverse osmosis with a thin layer composite membrane which has a support layer of polysulfone, a barrier layer of polymer prepared from a polyamine and a polyacyl, and a fiber backing. The membrane has a molecular weight cut-off of less than about 100 for organics and rejects the volatile components which contribute to flavor and aroma and permits about 25 to about 30% alcohol in the beverage to pass.

Today in 1890, US Patent 436498 A was issued, an invention of Carl Hafner, for his “Apparatus For Brewing.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:

My invention relates to an improved apparatus for use in the process of making beer.

In the usual process of boiling beer or wort with hops the essential oils, aroma, and volatile oils escape and are wasted or are condensed and passed back into the brew-kettle during the boiling process; but as the essential oils, aroma, etc., vaporize and escape when the hot liquid remains at a temperature of about Reaumur, and as it is necessary after boiling the wort with the hops a certain time to allow the boiling liquid to cool oft in the open air, it will thus be seen that these volatile matters will still escape.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved apparatus for use in the process of manufacturing beer, whereby the essential oils, volatile matters, etc., are saved and afterward added to the beer, and whereby a great saving is made in hops. These objects are accomplished by and my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, more fully described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

Today in 1892, US Patent 349178 A was issued, an invention of Stanislas Rouart, for his “Cooling Air and Apparatus Therefor.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:

The main object of my invention is to effectively cool the air of rooms or spaces in which it is necessary or desirable to maintain a free circulation of air as, for instance, in cellars for storing or treating beer, etc.