Gallery™ Plus Beermaster Automated Photometric Analyzer, Gallery Plus Beermaster with the BCM unit, Each - FAQs

What does the Bitterness Column Module (BCM) do in the Gallery Plus Beermaster discrete analyzer? What manual steps remain?

The BCM includes a coated extraction column, it automatically extracts bittering compounds from the beer matrix and then measures them photometrically at 275 nm. Manual sample prep is minimal (e.g., degassing by shaking). This module replaces the labor intensive manual/semi automated bitterness workflows found in many labs.

What are sample/reagent capacities and walk away time for the Gallery Plus Beermaster?

• Sample disk: up to 6 racks, 9 or 18 position racks can be used (configuration can be affected when BCM hardware is installed).
• Bitterness pretreatment: dedicated 60 position block plus a 6 position rack for bitterness reagents.
• Reagent disk: 42 positions (cooled).
• Cuvettes: 360 measurement cells on board.
• Walk away time: typically 1–3 hours, depending on workload.

How fast is the Gallery Plus Beermaster analyzer?

• Up to ~350 colorimetric tests/hour on the Gallery Plus Beermaster platform.
• For bitterness via BCM, ~8 tests/hour is typical.
• The bitterness workflow yields the first result in ~10 min, then about every 7 min thereafter.

Which parameters can the Gallery Plus Beermaster measure for beer/wort/malt?

The Gallery Plus Beermaster system can measure a variety of important parameters through the beer production process, from the source water to the final product. Critical parameters that the Gallery Plus Beermaster system can measure include: Bitterness (using the BCM), β-glucan, diastatic power (DP), alpha amylase (AA), FAN (NOPA), SO_₂, color, pH, total protein, total polyphenols, sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose), organic acids (lactic, malic, citric), ethanol, calcium, magnesium, iron, and more. Methods are optimized to ASBC/EBC/MEBAK reference result levels. The Gallery platform is a certified platform to run these applications per ASBC protocol. Specific Gallery test parameters can be found and downloaded from the ASBC website.

How is Gallery Plus Beermaster different from other beer analysis approaches (manual, semi automated, or flow/segmented flow analyzers)?

• Automated bitterness: The Bitterness Column Module (BCM) extracts bittering substances from interfering matrix components and measures them at 275 nm, sharply reducing manual steps. It typically produces the first result in ~10 min and then about every 7 min in multi sample workflows.
• Walk away discrete analysis: Discrete cell technology automates all steps and delivers results in minutes with minimal hands on time, Our discrete analyzer systems require lower sample/reagent volumes and offer easier operation than continuous flow methods.
• Lower reagent use/waste: The platform’s low volume cuvettes and ready to use reagents are designed to cut reagent consumption and waste versus manual methods.

How is the Gallery Plus Beermaster different from the standard Thermo Scientific Gallery analyzer?

The Gallery Plus Beermaster system has the same throughput and capacity as the Gallery Plus discrete analyzers, but it also features beer-specific automation. It includes the Bitterness Column Module (BCM) to automate bitterness sample pretreatment and measurement.

What is the Gallery Plus Beermaster?

The Thermo Scientific Gallery Plus Beermaster system is a fully automated, discrete photometric analyzer purpose built for beer, wort, and malt analysis. Using discrete cell technology, it can run multiple colorimetric/enzymatic assays from the same sample (e.g., β-glucan, FAN/NOPA, SO_₂) and it uniquely automates bitterness (IBU) testing via an integrated Bitterness Column Module (BCM).

How does a discrete analyzer compare to flow analyzers (FIA/SFA/CFA)?

Compared with traditional continuous-flow systems, Gallery and Gallery Plus discrete analyzers’ random-access, discrete design with disposable cuvettes minimizes carryover, cuts reagent use (typically <100 μL per test), shortens startup/changeover times, and boosts throughput (200–350 tests/hr vs 60–120 tests/hr). Labs also report much lower cost-per-test (up to 20x) due to smaller volumes and less waste. These systems also provide more measuring channels (12 filter positions), greater method stability, and fully automated micro liquid handling, which reduce operator skill requirements and system maintenance.

What reagents and consumables are available? Can I use third party reagents?

We offer ready to use, barcoded system reagents and enzymatic kits for environmental/industrial water and food & beverage testing, these minimize prep time, consumption, and cost per analysis. The platform is also open and flexible to support third party photometric methods and reagents if needed.

What “walk away” and automation features are built in?

After loading samples and reagents, the system can run unattended for up to 3 hours. Automation features include the ability to add samples mid-cycle (for the next cycle) without disrupting current tests, automated start up/shut down, and barcode scanning/LIMS connectivity for traceability.

How much sample and reagent volume do tests require, and how is carryover minimized?

Gallery systems utilize disposable Thermo Scientific DECACELL cuvettes, which prevent carryover or cross-contamination and sharply reduce reagent consumption. Compared to manual or continuous-flow methods, DECACELL cuvettes require smaller sample and reagent volumes (2–240 μL).

How many parameters per sample can be measured and what optics are available?

Up to 20 parameters can be analyzed from one sample. Gallery instruments offer 12 optical filter positions and a 340–880 nm spectral range (with different filter configurations), supporting sensitive detection down to the ppb level for many analytes.

What is the difference between Gallery and Gallery Plus discrete analyzers?

Both platforms share the same core workflow, but the Gallery Plus system is a larger, higher capacity model. Key differences include:

• Throughput: Gallery system performs up to 200 photometric tests/hour, Gallery Plus system performs up to 350 tests/hour.
• Sample capacity: Gallery system can handle up to 90 samples, Gallery Plus system can handle up to 108 samples.
• Reagent capacity: Gallery system has a maximum of 30 reagent positions, Gallery Plus system has up to 42 positions.
• Walk away time: Gallery system provides up to 2 hours, Gallery Plus system provides up to 3 hours.
• Water use: Gallery system uses ~1.5 L/hr, Gallery Plus system uses ~2.5 L/hr

What is a Gallery discrete analyzer and how does it work?

A Thermo Scientific Gallery discrete analyzer is an integrated, benchtop system that automates photometric tests (colorimetric and enzymatic). An optional electrochemical measurement (ECM) unit can be added to the system to perform electrochemical measurements (pH and conductivity). It uses disposable Thermo Scientific DECACELL cuvettes and automates all necessary analysis steps, including liquid handling, incubation, measurement calculations, and reporting, allowing for up to 20 analytes to be measured from the same sample with minimal carryover.