CO2, let's get started!

In this blog:

  1. Oxidation, your Enemy
  2. Fermenting Under Pressure
  3. Which CO2 Setup is Right for My Brewery?
  4. What Pressure Should I Set?
  5. Which Tank Should I Choose?

1. Oxidation, Your Enemy

First and foremost, let's talk about a significant enemy of beer: oxidation caused by exposure to oxygen. Oxidation can negatively impact the taste, aroma, and color of your beer. When beer is exposed to oxygen, the compounds in the beer can react with it, leading to off-flavors and a change of aromas. Often, you can detect it by a paper- or cardboard-like taste.

Oxidation can also accelerate the aging of beer. For instance, it can reduce the shelf life of hop aromas. Therefore, it's crucial to prevent oxidation during the brewing process to maintain the taste and quality of the beer and extend its shelf life. There are many points in the brewing process where beer can be exposed to oxygen and its harmful effects.

Some examples:

  • Transferring from primary to secondary fermentation.
  • Transferring to your bottling bucket.
  • Transferring to a keg or bottles.
  • Adding hops during dry hopping.
  • Sealing the keg without flushing out the oxygen.

Working with CO2 pressure can prevent nearly all these risks so you can brew beer of the highest possible quality. This sets apart the novice brewer from the professional!

2. Fermenting Under Pressure

Fermenting under pressure is definitely an intriguing option as this technique offers advantages such as accelerated fermentation, higher fermentation temperatures with fewer ester and higher alcohol formation, and the ability to directly tap or transfer under pressure. This makes the process more controllable, allows for faster and more hygienic bottling, and provides an efficient way to carbonate the beer. Any pressure between 0.1 and 1 bar is suitable for this fermentation method.

To ferment beer under pressure, you'll need the following:

  • A suitable fermentation vessel
    Opt for a fermentation vessel designed to build and maintain pressure, such as a Fermzilla fermenter or a pressure-resistant stainless steel conical fermenter. Explore our selection.

  • A spunding valve
    This adjustable pressure relief valve acts as a safety valve that releases excess pressure from the vessel. At the same time, the valve can also function as a control valve, allowing you to maintain the desired pressure in the vessel. By adjusting the valve to a specific pressure - for example, using a spring mechanism - the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation can be dissolved in the vessel. You could simply call it a mechanical airlock. Explore our selection.

  • Temperature control
    For consistent results, it's ideal to use a temperature control system that allows you to regulate the fermentation temperature accurately. A stable temperature is essential for successful fermentation. Explore our selection.
  • An appropriate yeast strain
    Not all yeast strains tolerate higher pressure equally well. Bottom-fermenting yeasts are generally better suited for pressure fermentation, but there are also top-fermenting yeasts that handle this well. Explore our selection.

  • A pressure control system
    Optional, but recommended! To maintain the correct pressure in the fermentation vessel, you need a pressure control system like the Beerstream or a Brewferm CO2 cylinder. We'll discuss them further below!

3. Which CO2 Setup is Right for My Brewery?

At Brouwland, you have the choice between a classic 2 kg CO2 cylinder with a pressure regulator or the Brewferm Beerstream with refills available from your local supermarket.

Good to know
Now that we're talking about it: a pressure regulator is a device that reduces the high pressure of CO2 gas in the cylinder to a lower, safe pressure suitable for use in a tap system, for example. The pressure regulator acts as an intermediary between the cylinder and the device using the gas.

Brewferm Beerstream

For those brewing around 30 liters and looking to quickly transform their vessel into a mobile tap system or pressure tank, the Brewferm Beerstream offers an ideal solution.

In short, the Beerstream is a convenient CO2 adapter with a pressure regulator that allows you to tap beer from a pressure vessel using SodaStream-compatible CO2 cylinders without much hassle! The Brewferm Beerstream is easy and safe to use as it is fully compatible with Ball-lock and Duotight couplings. Moreover, the setup is compact, which is a significant advantage. You can simply attach the cylinder directly to your keg, and you're good to go. Especially if you have limited space in your brewing area or you want to occasionally take your keg with you, the Brewferm Beerstream is a perfect choice. With just one SodaStream cylinder, you can empty up to 6 soda kegs.

The pressure regulator of the Brewferm Beerstream includes a pressure gauge to measure the output pressure, a standard 1/4" MFL connection, and a pressure relief valve to safely release pressure if it gets too high. Generally, a pressure regulator on a CO2 cylinder is an essential tool for using gas safely and effectively.

  • Connect your CO2 cylinder to the pressure regulator.
  • Attach your CO2 hose to the desired vessel.
  • Adjust the desired pressure steplessly up to a maximum of 2 bar.

Also available as a complete starter kit,
including soda keg and beer tap.

When your CO2 cylinder is empty, you can easily purchase a new SodaStream CO2 cylinder at your local supermarket or order online and return the empty cylinder. Here's a link to the various distribution points.

Brewferm CO2-cylinder 2 kg

For those brewing more than 40 liters or wanting their cylinder to last longer, consider getting a larger Brewferm CO2 cylinder. A new gas cylinder filled with 2 kg of food-grade CO2 (E290) contains enough carbon dioxide to dispense at least 400 liters of beer. It's TÜV-approved and suitable for all European countries with a standard CO2 flange connection (W21.8 x 1/14” RH).

With Pressure Regulator

A pressure regulator has two gauges: one to measure the pressure in the cylinder (which can get quite high in bar) and one to measure the outgoing pressure used to dispense beer from the vessel.

The outgoing pressure from the cylinder is set using an adjustment knob on the pressure regulator. When the pressure in the cylinder exceeds the set pressure, the pressure regulator reduces the supply of CO2 gas to the vessel. This prevents too much CO2 from entering the vessel and ensures the pressure in the vessel remains constant.

The remaining pressure in your cylinder can be compared to the fuel gauge in your car. It indicates when your tank is almost empty. Does your gauge go into the red? Then it's time to have a new cylinder ready or to get the current one refilled.

Also available as a complete starter kit with soda keg.

4. What Pressure Should I Set?

For forced carbonation of beer, a pressure of approximately 1 bar (12 to 15 psi) is commonly used. This may vary depending on the desired amount of carbonation and the beer's temperature.

Table
This table provides a good indication. In the table, you'll find 'CO2 volumes' which indicate how many volumes (parts) of carbon dioxide are dissolved in an equal volume of beer. One volume means that 1 liter of CO2 is dissolved in 1 liter of beer. This corresponds to roughly 2 grams of CO2 per liter of beer. Beer styles can vary in their desired CO2 levels, from lightly sparkling to highly carbonated. While a Duvel contains about 8 grams of CO2 per liter, a commercial pilsner will have around 5 to 6 grams of CO2 per liter.

Follow the line corresponding to your beer's temperature until it intersects with the column of the set pressure. In that cell, you'll find the CO2 volume you will achieve.

You can also use our handy slide calculator for your calculations!

Here's how to proceed with your keg:

  • Clean your keg with Chemipro Wash, rinse with water, and clean again with Chemipro San. Tip: use your CO2 cylinder to push the Chemipro San solution out of your pressure vessel via the beer line. Then disconnect your CO2 cylinder and relieve the pressure from your keg using the relief valve. This not only cleans your lines immediately but also fills your keg with CO2 instead of oxygen.
  • Transfer your home-brewed beer to the keg, secure the lid and add some CO2 just to be sure.
  • Select the desired carbonation level and adjust your pressure regulator.
  • Place the keg upright in the refrigerator and connect the CO2 hose. Leave the keg at the desired pressure for about 5 days and your beer is ready to drink!
  • Before serving the beer, you may need to reduce the pressure (depending on the carbonation pressure you used) to avoid excessive foaming.

If you're less patient, you can try the following:

  • Place the keg on its side, set your   regulator to about 1 to 1.5 bar, and roll or shake the vessel back and forth for 5-6 minutes or until you no longer hear it "bubbling."
  • Put the vessel in the refrigerator and remove the CO2 hose. Let the beer rest for a few hours.
  • Next, select the desired pressure and adjust your pressure regulator. Release any excess pressure remaining in the vessel and reconnect the CO2 hose.
  • Leave the keg at this pressure overnight, or about 24 hours, and your beer is ready to serve!

5. Which Tank Should I Choose?

To work with CO2 pressure, it's best to choose a suitable fermentation vessel or pressure tank. Not all vessels can withstand the pressure exerted by your CO2 cylinder. Therefore, look for suitable unitanks, kegs, or Britetanks. Read on for a complete overview!

Brewferm Soda-kegs

Those who have been involved in the fascinating world of homebrewing for a while have likely heard of these reusable kegs. Kegging is a popular way to store and carbonate beer, and it offers the most convenient option for serving your beer on tap.

The stainless steel soda kegs can handle pressures of up to 8 bar! With that working pressure, you can carbonate virtually any beverage, from beer to cocktails. Additionally, they are equipped with a pressure relief valve for safety. The large, arm-wide opening is incredibly useful when you need to fill or clean the vessel. Moreover, there are two ball-lock compatible connections: one for gas and one for your beer. When you release the ball-lock coupling, the hose is immediately closed. These couplings open up a world of possibilities for your microbrewery!

What do you need to get started with a Soda Keg?

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Oxebar PET Pressure Kegs

For those looking for a budget-friendly entry into the art of kegging, we recommend these reusable plastic kegs. They are compact, lightweight and can handle more than 2 bar pressure. Oxebar Mono is a PET polymer blend with a combination of different polymers that significantly improve gas barrier properties. Compared to standard PET plastics, Oxebar Mono ensures less oxygen ingress and less CO2 loss. Thanks to this extremely low gas transmission, your drinks stay fresh for longer. 

Another advantage, besides the price, is the capacity of the kegs. You can choose between 4 l, 8 l or the maximum 20 l. Go for a handy take-away size like the 4 l keg or build a full-fledged tap system with a 20 l keg. For the smallest sizes, you will need a tap set with Ball-lock couplings, the 20l version, on the other hand, is fully equipped!

What do you need to get started with a Oxebar Keg?

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Fermzilla Unitank – The Budget-Friendly Entry Model

The FermZilla by Kegland is a compact conical fermenter that provides homebrewers with a high degree of control. This fermentation vessel, in combination with the accompanying pressure kit, is an ideal starter model for up to 2.4 bar.

You can choose between 27 litres or 55 litres with yeast collection ball or between 30 litres and 60 litres without yeast collection ball.

What do you need to get started with a Fermzilla Unitank?

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Top-Quality from Ss Brewtech

Ss Brewtech stands out due to their innovative approach to brewing equipment and accessories. Their product development is inspired by large, professional brewing installations. The extensive range of unitanks and brite tanks is ideal for those seeking added value or for (semi-)professional brewers. Brouwland is proud to be the main distributor of Ss Brewtech, so you can count on our comprehensive service!

Most Ss Brewtech pressure tanks are equipped with a convenient carbonation stone. This stone ensures even and efficient distribution of carbon dioxide in the beer. It increases the surface area for CO2 gas to dissolve in the beer, speeding up carbonation.

Ss Brewtech Unitank

This tank has it all! It's a single vessel that can be used for both fermentation and conditioning the beer, hence the name 'Uni' tank. This reduces the number of transfers and consequently minimizes the notorious risk of oxidation. Ss Brewtech Unitanks are compatible with many accessories like pressure regulators, spunding valves, and temperature controllers, allowing you to control the fermentation and work under (up to 1 bar) pressure.

You can choose from various sizes. For sizes up to ½ BBL (approximately 70 litres), a 2 kg CO2 cylinder should suffice. If you opt for a larger volume, it's advisable to use a larger cylinder. The possibilities are virtually endless, so feel free to contact us to discuss a customized solution for your project! Explore our selection.


Ss Brewtech Brite Tanks

Brite tanks are the perfect addition to your current fermenters. They are not suitable as fermentation vessels due to their non-conical shape.

Rather, they are designed as maturation and serving tanks, providing your brewery with greater capacity and allowing you to serve directly from the tank.

Forced carbonation of beer is a breeze with a good brite tank. Explore our selection.


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Posted in: Beer

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