Carbonation is not novel. It has been around for centuries. Carbonation occurs naturally in many products, including beer. However, mechanization of the system did not arrive until much later, the first beverage carbonation becoming popular in 1797. While natural carbonation does still take place in the brewing industry, mechanical addition of carbon dioxide is the major means of acquiring that fresh mouth taste. Craft and industrial breweries accomplish this using a beer carbonator. To produce the product desired by both the producer and its customers.
Why Carbonate Beer?
People, quite against scientific logic, actually like carbonated drinks. When it comes to beer, they state carbonation adds certain qualities that non-carbonated beer lacks. Beer drinkers and brewers believe it introduces or emphasizes several qualities. Carbonation
* Creates a better mouthfeel: a light, refreshing taste sensation
* Produces a more heightened and even clarified nose sensation: specifically how your senses smell hop and malt aromas
* Deceives the drinker into believing the beer colder than it actually is
* Gives the beer a specific type of head
* Provides certain distinguishing characteristics e.g. head and appearance: separates one type of beer and one brewery from another
By injecting the right amount of CO2 at the right time, a craft brewing company can establish a distinct flavor and mouth feel that will help to differentiate their brew from those of their competitors. Whether they do so naturally or using a beer carbonator depends upon the type of beer they wish to produce, the qualities they want to install in their brew and the type of clients they want to attract.
Yet, no matter what the reasons they have for choosing their method of carbonation, it is extremely important that each beer they produce is an exact replica of all the beers of this type. It cannot be stressed enough how important consistency is in the brewing industry.
Beer Carbonation Systems
Companies can introduce carbonation to their brews in one of several ways. The major methods of doing so are
* Brite/Bright Tanks: Uses carbonated stones within a large tank
* Inline Carbonation: Carbonation occurs within a pipe
* In-Bottle: Carbonation is part of the bottling phase
* Centrifugal: Carbonation occurs within the centrifugal separation system
The system employed depends upon intent, philosophy of the company, technological capabilities of current equipment and, of course, the budget.
Beer Carbonator
As a craft brewer, consider beer carbonation as a necessity. It is part of your brewing philosophy. Before you make a decision on what type of beer carbonator to install, make sure you understand both the pros and cons of each method as it pertains to your own special craft beer.
