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Could ChatGPT be the future of brewing?

15 January 2024 By James Evison

A Suffolk brewery has used the OpenAI chatbot ChatGPT to develop a new beer, in the hope of blending technology and human skill to create the ultimate brew.

Nethergate Brewery, which is based in Long Melford near Sudbury in Suffolk, used the AI chatbot to produce what it describes as a data-driven flavour profile for the brew.

But it wasn’t only ingredients and help with the brewing process that were requested from ChatGPT by the brewery. Other material for the new beer, including the product’s pump clip, were also being created by AI.

Indeed, the brewery even has website banners, a social media video and press releases created through the use of artificial intelligence.

According to local news, the use of the chatbot began as a bit of fun in the office, but it quickly escalated to the idea of creating the beer, a pale ale which Nethergate has called AiPA.

The beverage has now launched into local Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire pubs, as well as in Nethergate’s own taprooms.

Unchartered territory

Head brewer Ian Carson (or is that AI?) said: “As someone deeply rooted in traditional brewing, the thought of bringing AI into the mix felt like uncharted territory.

“However, this pale ale we’ve created is nothing short of spectacular and a beer that I’m super proud of and very excited about.

“This project has certainly opened my eyes to the benefits of embracing innovation.”

The ale is 3.9% ABV and contains floral notes with a blend of Cascade, Amarillo, Centennial, and Citra hops.

Autonomous

The news follows AB InBev last March, which created the world’s first beer and full marketing campaign made with AI, naming it Beck’s Autonomous.

Speaking to the drinks business about the launch, the global brewer told db that it used ChatGPT and Midjourney to design the beer, branding and marketing.

Before that launch in January 2023, Detroit-based Atwater Brewing also created a beer from a recipe made by an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, which again came about after playing around with AI.

Atwater’s president Katy McBrady told local press that despite the advancement, she revealed that people are still irreplaceable when it comes to creating great beer.

“There is no replica for our creative brewers and the human touch you need to brew craft beer,” she said.

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