Nitrogen is an essential element that plays a pivotal role in modern brewing, significantly enhancing both the brewing process and the quality of the final product. Across Australia, breweries are increasingly adopting onsite nitrogen generation as a dependable and cost-effective nitrogen solution. This article explores the integral role nitrogen generators are playing in enhancing brewery operations.

How Nitrogen is Used in Breweries

Nitrogen contributes to the development of flavours and textures while preserving beer by preventing spoilage and oxidation. Nitrogen's main uses in breweries include:

1.    Nitro Beer Production: Nitrogen is a key ingredient in crafting nitro beers, which are known for their smooth, creamy texture and rich and thick head. By injecting nitrogen under high pressure, brewers create a finer bubble compared to carbon dioxide, resulting in a softer mouthfeel and a visually appealing creamy foam.

2.    Oxidation: Nitrogen prevents oxidation during various stages of the brewing process by displacing oxygen. This helps maintain the beer's intended flavour and freshness from production through to consumption.

Applications of Nitrogen in the Brewing Process

With the ability to enhance both the brewing process and the sensory qualities of beer, nitrogen is indeed an essential component in contemporary breweries. Here are the key applications of nitrogen in breweries:

Purging and Sparging: Nitrogen is used to purge oxygen from storage tanks and lines, ensuring the beer remains free from oxidation, which can adversely affect taste and stability. In the sparging process, nitrogen is bubbled through the beer to remove dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide, influencing the flavour and quality of the final product.

Tank Blanketing: Nitrogen gas is used for tank blanketing, creating an inert atmosphere above stored or fermenting beer to protect it from oxygen exposure.

Product Quality: Nitrogen is critical in brewing certain types of beer as it produces beers without excessive fizziness, which changes the taste and feel of the brew. Unlike carbon dioxide, nitrogen does not dissolve easily in liquid, resulting in a smoother and creamier beer typical of nitro beers such as stouts and porters.

Cask Conditioning: For breweries that still employ traditional cask conditioning, nitrogen can be used instead of or alongside carbon dioxide to condition the beer.

Packaging: In canning and bottling, nitrogen is essential for displacing oxygen from the container's headspace before sealing. This practice helps preserve the freshness and improves the shelf-life of the beer, ensuring the beer tastes as intended when it reaches the consumer.

Benefits of Onsite Nitrogen Generation for Breweries

In addition to the benefits nitrogen brings to the brewing process, installing a nitrogen generator in breweries offers several advantages over traditional cylinder gas. It provides a continuous, reliable nitrogen supply, and is a more efficient and cost-effective solution. Implementing an onsite nitrogen generation system in breweries delivers tangible benefits, including:

1. Cost Efficiency: Generating nitrogen onsite is significantly more cost-effective over the long-term compared to purchasing and storing nitrogen in cylinders. Breweries can cut costs related to delivery and rental, and achieve a fast return on investment.

2. Reliable Supply: Onsite nitrogen generators provide a consistent and reliable supply of nitrogen, eliminating uncertainties like unexpected price hikes or shortages often associated with external suppliers. This reliability is crucial for breweries that need to ensure uninterrupted production schedules and maintain quality standards across all batches.

3. Tailored Purity and Volume: Onsite systems allow breweries to control the purity and flow of nitrogen, tailoring it to specific characteristics of different beers or brewing processes. This flexibility ensures nitrogen is used optimally across various stages of production, maintaining the high quality and consistency of each brew.

4. Enhanced Safety: The safety benefits of onsite nitrogen generation are clear. Generating nitrogen at lower pressures significantly reduces the risks associated with manual handling and high-pressure cylinder connections. This inherently enhances safety in the workplace, providing peace of mind and reducing the potential for accidents.

5. Space Saving: Breweries can free up valuable space within their facilities without the need for bulky nitrogen cylinders. This space can be utilised for additional brewing capacities or storage.

Nitrogen Generation Technology for Breweries

There are two primary technologies to consider with nitrogen generation: Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Membrane technology. A PSA nitrogen generator is recommended for most brewery applications because it provides higher nitrogen purity levels required for brewing beer. This technology utilises two adsorption vessels containing a carbon molecular sieve to separate nitrogen from ambient air, alternating between the vessels to generate a continuous gas flow. Read more in our blog, Membrane and PSA Nitrogen Generators Explained.

Choosing the Right Nitrogen Generator for Your Brewery

When selecting a nitrogen generator for a brewery, it's important to consider the scale of operations, the volume of nitrogen needed, and the specific applications within the brewing process. Gas Generation Australia offers a range of nitrogen generators, from modular units ideal for small craft breweries to large-scale systems designed for major production facilities.

Gas Generation Australia has selected high-quality European PSA nitrogen generators with patented technology that will provide a competitive edge to your production processes. We can also supply PSA nitrogen generators as a modular system that allows the capacity to expand easily and at a low cost.

Nitrogen generators are transforming the way breweries operate, providing numerous benefits that enhance product quality, improve safety, and reduce costs. As the brewing industry in Australia continues to grow, the adoption of onsite nitrogen generation is a smart choice for breweries looking to innovate and sustainably expand their operations.

Making the Switch

Investing in a nitrogen generator, while initially more expensive, quickly becomes the most financially smart decision for your nitrogen supply. Our experts are ready to walk you through this process, providing a detailed cost-benefit analysis tailored to your operations. Contact Gas Generation Australia today to learn how our onsite nitrogen generation solutions can elevate your business operations.

About Gas Generation Australia

Gas Generation Australia offers cutting-edge onsite nitrogen generation solutions designed specifically for breweries. Our systems ensure consistent and efficient production of high-quality nitrogen, enabling breweries to craft exceptional beers. With a strong emphasis on innovation and customer service, we are dedicated to supporting Australian breweries in enhancing their operational efficiency and sustainability.

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