Bengaluru's brewmaster-turned-data scientist uses AI to decode beer palate shifts

Imagine Getafix going through mathematical analyses of the Gaul villagersquos taste patterns strengths and weaknesses while he mixes the magic brewGetafixrsquos creators Reneacute Goscinny and Albert Uderzo might have dismissed the thought But wouldnrsquot a wise brewer use information to create the perfect potion This question has always intrigued Ankur Napa during his long career as a brewmaster and data analytics studentLike many the Bengalururesident discovered his love for a cold one during his early years in college ldquoI was pursuing my BTech in biotechnology and I remember when people would ask me about career plans I would joke ldquoI am going to be a beer engineerrdquordquo he laughs As fate would have it he ended up with an internship with Kingfisher ldquoIt was supposed to be a casual thing but I fell in love with beerrdquo the 38yearold shares Over the next two decades he worked with some of the leading brands in the beverage industry from SABMiller to Budweiser while also pursuing a Masters in wine brewing and alcohol engineering from the University of PuneThe numbers bubbleThe art of brewing is closely linked with data analytics Napa informs us The industry utilises analytics specifically in marketing and sales limiting it to the supply chain It was his interaction with marketing and sales managers that introduced the brewmaster to algorithms and data ldquoInitially I bristled at the idea of marketing men telling me how to brew beer But then I sat down and spoke with them They would share details of an XYZ brand of ale that is doing well in the period from July to October for instance Therefore we need to put out an ale with a similar flavour profile to competerdquo he shares This insight into consumer tastes set Napa on the path to creating iWortPanels highlighting algorithm parameters used to measure the brewery process Pics CourtesyiWortHe is not the first to tap into the combination of mathematics and brewing ldquoMy inspiration dates back to the 19th century research of William Sealy Gossett He was a graduate of chemistry and Mathematics at Oxford University and head brewer of an humble Irish brewery Guinnessrdquo he laughs It was Gossett who invented the formulae that allowed Guinness to predict the nature of their brew based on the average resin or pH presence of a pile of hops use atmospheric pressure to calculate sales of ales and stoutsNaparsquos technology is a 21st century version of the same thought Starting with its first iteration in 2018 iWort is a cumulative algorithm that now uses AI programming to corelate collated consumer reviews market information sales data and beer recipes to suggest optimised solutions Working out of a residence behind Manyata Tech Park in Nagavara the founder explains ldquoIf a survey of consumers at a brewery brings up the common review of the beer being too sweet my algorithm will automatically suggest a reduction in the residual sugar in the brewing process in the next batchrdquo he explains With these quick solutions the brewer does not have to modify the entire recipe and start all over againVintage treasuresThe other aspect is the historical data analyses that AI is capable of doing Napa suggests that using the algorithm with expanded parameters such as upcoming high or low sale days seasonal changes historical consumption patterns can help focus the production strategy furtherAnkur NapaThe difference is that often brewers do not have access to this data ldquoIncidentally all brewers are familiar with analytics and parameters From pH levels temperatures and fermentation time they crunch numbers However there is a conservatism towards using marketing information in brewing a certain amount of pride of the brewer as an artistrdquo he explainsLarge brands are already working on algorithms assisted by AI to achieve results ldquoGlobal brands tapped into the phenomenon quite early But there is still a hesitance among independent craft breweries Secondly there are limited viable options that a craft brewery can adapt to based on their working modelrdquo he adds While Napa is currently working with smallscale independent breweries in the city he informs us that the virtual platform does have the potential to adapt to the requirements of a larger breweryThings are on the turn though With the rise of independent craft breweries across Bengaluru the founder believes change is inevitable ldquoMany in the FampB industry are turning towards AI as an alternative tool to crunch numbers and derive predictions From market trends to changing consumer responses every data is being tapped in However not many will reveal it since there is a taboo about chefs or brewers turning to technology as a tool They feel it reduces the human or artistic touch But to me mathematics is an art the same as brewingrdquo he concludesWhat is it iWort generates brewing solutions for independent craft breweries based on consumer responses historical data recipes sales and marketing inputsHow it works The data input by the brewers is tracked on a daily basis allowing the artificial intelligence AI and Naparsquos algorithm to calculate any upcoming changes and preempt losses or needs to adapt accordinglyWho it affectsbenefits From effective marketing campaigns altered recipes to curating new brews and beers for a selective market the programme can help brewers be proactive in their approach