How nexAir’s Techniques Help Breweries Maintain Consistency and Efficiency

Brewing depends on precision most people never think about. Fermentation temperatures need to stay within a degree or two. Carbonation has to hit exact targets. Even minor oxygen exposure during packaging can ruin an entire batch. Small variations create noticeable differences in taste, aroma, and shelf life.

Gas handling sits at the center of these quality concerns. CO2 carbonates finished beer and pushes it through lines without introducing oxygen. Nitrogen creates creamy texture in stouts and protects kegs during storage. How these gases get delivered and how consistently they flow directly affects what ends up in the glass. nexAir works with breweries to get these details right so every batch tastes like it should.

Carbonation that hits the same target every time

Carbonation affects mouthfeel, aroma release, and how flavors come through. Too much CO2 makes beer harsh and acidic. Too little leaves it flat. The target varies by style, but whatever level you’re aiming for needs consistency across every keg and bottle.

Achieving that requires precise CO2 delivery at controlled pressure and temperature. Fluctuating pressure means some containers get over-carbonated while others fall short. We help breweries set up gas systems that maintain stable conditions throughout carbonation, delivering predictable levels that match your specifications batch after batch.

Protecting beer from oxygen during packaging

Oxygen causes staling, off-flavors, and aroma loss that show up weeks later on shelves. Keeping it out during transfer and packaging requires purging lines, pre-filling containers with CO2, and maintaining positive pressure throughout the process.

Our techniques focus on practical oxygen management for your specific setup. Counter-pressure filling systems minimize oxygen pickup during bottling or canning. Keg purging procedures ensure empties contain CO2, not air, before filling. Gas delivery maintains the purity levels brewing requires because contaminants in your CO2 supply undermine even perfect technique.

Nitrogen for texture and draft systems

Nitrogen creates the smooth, creamy texture defining certain beer styles, particularly stouts. Unlike CO2, it doesn’t readily dissolve in liquid, producing smaller bubbles and denser head. It’s also used for pushing beer through draft lines without adding carbonation and blanketing bright tanks to prevent oxygen contact.

Application technique matters as much as the gas itself. Nitrogen dispensing requires specific pressure settings and restrictor plates that differ completely from CO2 systems. Mixed gas blends need precise ratios maintained throughout delivery. We help breweries set up nitrogen systems properly calibrated for their equipment and beer styles.

Gas purity that protects quality

Food-grade CO2 and nitrogen must meet strict purity standards, but maintaining that purity from delivery through dispensing requires proper storage and handling. Contaminated gas lines introduce off-flavors. Moisture promotes microbial growth. Equipment not designed for beverage applications can impart tastes that ruin beer.

We provide gas handling systems designed specifically for brewing, backed by our expert KnowHow™ in beverage production. That includes appropriate filtration, proper line materials, and delivery equipment rated for brewing’s purity requirements. Regular testing confirms gas quality stays within specifications.

Efficiency through better gas management

Gas costs add up quickly in brewing operations. Leaks in draft systems waste CO2 constantly. Inefficient carbonation uses more gas than necessary. Poor pressure management increases consumption while potentially harming quality.

Our techniques help breweries reduce waste without compromising results—leak detection that finds problems manual checking misses, carbonation approaches that minimize gas use while hitting target volumes, and system designs that eliminate pressure drops forcing equipment to work harder. These improvements typically pay for themselves through reduced gas purchases within the first year.

Brewing consistency comes from controlling variables that affect flavor, carbonation, and stability. Gas handling represents several critical variables, and getting it right requires both proper equipment and sound technique. Contact nexAir and we’ll help you Forge Forward with gas systems that deliver the consistency craft beer drinkers expect.