The present invention concerns a process for enriching the aroma profile
of beverages, especially beer and wine, by means of extraction, using
pervaporation, of aromas from the original beverage and subsequent
addition of the extracted aromas to the beverage, after total or partial
dealcoholization. The original beverage (1) is fed to the membrane
separation module (4) wherein the permeate side (5) is under vacuum,
provided by a vacuum pump (12). The feed contacts with the membrane
surface and the aromas are selectively permeated to the permeate side of
the membrane, where they suffer evaporation. The vapor permeate stream
(5) is condensed (10) at an appropriate temperature, which can be
cryogenic. After the aroma extraction, the beverage (6) is fed to a
dealcoholization unit (14) for obtaining a non-alcoholic drink (15),
however depleted in aroma compounds. Finally, the extracted aromas (10)
are added to the dealcoholized beverage, thus an aroma enriched product
(16) being obtained without considerably increasing its alcohol content.