The maximum ethanol level recorded was 4.74% (v/v) when HG fermentation was employed in beer 3 where an initial wort dissolved solid content of 16.89% was used (Table 5). Higher ethanol levels were recorded for the HG beers compared with the normal beers for all the beer types. The ethanol levels recorded at this stage were after about 24 h of alcoholic fermentation after
addition of masusu and may increase with time as the beer ferments further. The beer is consumed in an active state of fermentation and has a shelf life of about 4 days. Optimisation of fermentation conditions such as temperature, inoculation by known fermenting yeast
strains and yeast pitching rates may result in higher ethanol levels being obtained. It would then be necessary to find ways of diluting the beer to maintain acceptable ethanol levels, flavour and beer consistency.