Targeted healthy compounds in small and large-scale brewed beers

•Higher levels of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was found for SS beer.•Wide variations of pyridoxine and fermentable sugars content was found.•For regular beer, folate content was statistically higher in SS beer.•Amines exceeded 10 mg/l in only 8.7% of samples.•330 mL/day of beer contribute to 5.6% of the requirements of folates. The determination of targeted healthy compounds in the most popular small and large-scale brewed beer sold in Italy was carried out. Nitrogen compounds, fermentable sugars, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, β-glucans, pyridoxine, folates and silicon were quantified. Further, amine content was determined since raw materials and brewing technology can affect their level. Significantly higher values for total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, nitrogen, folate and putrescine content were found for small scale beers. However, the statistical results were affected by the different beer styles in the small scale and large scale brewed beer groups, since the content of these components can vary between beer styles. Positive Pearson correlation was found between total phenolic content and EBC colour. Wide variations in pyridoxine, β-glucans and fermentable sugars levels were observed both for small and large scale beers, while average silicon content of two groups was similar.