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Case Study: Preserving product identity

Industry

Beer

Challenge

A beer company was unaware of its product’s shelf life and how long it took for its sensory characteristics to change.

Results

It was discovered that beers were being sold with diminished properties over time, depending on storage conditions. This led to increased consumer rejection.

-10%
Return rate
+12%
Product acceptance

“We were able to evaluate product stability and shelf life, ensuring sensory standards were maintained throughout the storage period.”

Sensory Manager

Brewing company

The Challenge

A brewery needed to determine how long the flavour of its beer remained unchanged. The goal was to reduce a high return rate caused by the loss of sensory attributes over time. While the products were safe to consume, they were being rejected by consumers due to noticeable sensory changes.

 

The Solution: Sensory Shelf-Life

To solve this, the company implemented Sensesbit to carry out a sensory shelf-life study (SSL). Using a staggered testing design with trained panellists, the company evaluated how key sensory attributes changed under both controlled and accelerated storage conditions—simulating real-life scenarios. Sensesbit enabled real-time data capture and statistical interpretation, making it easier to detect critical changes and define a reliable sensory shelf life.

The Results 

With us, the brewery achieved:

  • 10% reduction in return rate due to improved shelf-life control

  • 12% increase in product acceptance, reflecting a better consumer experience

Beyond identifying the sensory shelf life, the company was able to optimise its logistics strategy by reducing storage times and increasing product rotation, ensuring freshness and protecting brand perception in the market.

👉 Are you ready to make data-driven sensory decisions?