Image used for demonstration purposes only- not an accurate diagram
What is dispense gas?
Dispense gas (also known as beer gas, keg gas, cellar gas and pub gas) is used to help with the process of dispensing drinks, usually in bars and restaurants and usually in the leisure and hospitality industry. Using dispense gas in the process of dispensing beer and soft drinks is commonly applied worldwide. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) or a nitrogen (N₂) mix are routinely used by pubs and bars to ‘pump’ beverages through beer gas lines or to carbonate fizzy drinks on site. Bars, restaurants and other leisure facility gas suppliers, not only deliver gas to put the ‘fizz’ in drinks and to help transport the beverage from keg to pump, but the gas also contributes to the taste and how it feels in the customer's mouth. CO₂, as a keg gas, helps to keep the keg contents sterile and kept at the right quantities, helps to maintain draft beer equipment and an efficient dispense system.
Nitrogen Dispense Gas
Nitrogen (N₂) can be used as an alternative dispense gas to carbon dioxide. For example, some beers and stouts are ‘carbonated’ with a blend of nitrogen and carbon dioxide as this makes smaller bubbles, and a smoother, creamier drink. Nitrogen can be used with coffee to create a cold drink called nitro-brew.
Nitrogen is frequently used in kitchens and factories. Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze ice cream fast, making it smoother and creamier. It is also used to put bubbles in chocolate bars.
...what about nitro coffee?
Nitrogen is now becoming extremely popular in coffee to produce ‘nitro infused cold brew coffee’. Coffee infused with nitrogen makes the cold beverage taste smoother and feel ‘silk-like’ in texture. The process includes delivering the coffee straight from a nitrogen beer tap system, after its been charged with nitrogen in a keg.
Using Dispense Gas and Nitro Taps Safely
You need to comply with your specific jurisdictional requirements for storing and using CO2 and inert gases, including nitrogen. There are several US National Standards, US Codes and non Regulatory (CGA) guidelines currently being implemented by state or municipality and they’re often interpreted very differently. However, the IFC, NFPA55, NBIC, OSHA and CGA all refer to installing a carbon dioxide detection or monitoring system to ensure the working environment is safe at all times, regardless if there is someone in that area at all times. Our Ax60+ has been designed to offer everything you need to satisfy any variation of the codes required in your state or municipality. The multi-gas detector can monitor for CO₂ and levels of O₂ if there is a nitrogen leak, providing audio and visual alarms if there is an issue. The alarm set points are fully customizable by the user to satisfy any jurisdictional requirement.