EFFORTLESS BEER DISPENSING: THE BENEFITS OF BOTTLED GAS FOR HOME BARS

Is there anything better than entertaining at home? A home bar gives you the space to experiment with making beers and cocktails whenever you feel like it. You can even show off your mixology skills to your friends and family.

Make your home bar the talk of the town, no matter the weather or season. Whether it’s a beautiful summer’s day or the run-up to Christmas, you can dazzle your guests with themed drinks and refreshing beers. At Adams Gas, we are experts in home bar gas and offer a range of bar gas cylinders to make your home bar dreams a reality. But why is bottled gas better for home bars?

We’ll answer this by exploring how bottled gas aids in beer dispensing, looking into its advantages, offering tips for choosing the right gas and providing essential advice for using bottled gas in this blog.

How Does Gas Help Dispense Beer?

Think of how the beer comes out of a bar tap; there is a precise way the pour is done to achieve the right amount of head – the white foam on top of the beer – if anything in the process goes wrong, then you’ll have a pint full of foam. This is beer dispensing; it uses CO2 bottles and nitrogen bottles to help you get the right amount of fizz in your pint.

The gas is connected to the beer keg and exerts pressure, allowing the beer to flow smoothly. It also helps maintain freshness and prevents oxidation, ensuring each pour is as crisp and flavourful as the first.

Want more information on why gas is used in pubs? Read our blog ‘Beer and Cellar Gas Efficiency for Pubs’.

Advantages of Using Bottled Gas for Beer Dispensing

You might wonder about the advantages of bottled gas over a pre-gassed keg. While a keg may seem the easiest option, bottled gas for beer dispensing can offer a range of benefits that make it the superior choice. Let’s look at what benefits there are:

Enhance Quality

One of the biggest advantages of bottled gas for home bar dispensing is the improved taste of the beer. For example, you can adjust the levels of fizz that beer has, ensuring a consistent and amazing beer-drinking experience.

Extended Shelf Life

Oxygen is considered ‘the enemy of beer’, as it can cause it to spoil and lose its flavour. A pre-gassed keg could end up wasting beer due to oxidation or spoilage. Choosing bottled gas, such as CO2 and nitrogen, creates a protective barrier around the beer. How is this done? It is achieved by displacing oxygen from the keg, extending the shelf life of the beer and preserving its taste and aroma.

Convenience and Portability

Bottled gas is readily available and easily transported, especially when compared to pre-gassed kegs, making it ideal for home bars or portable draft systems. It cuts the need for bulky and complex setups, allowing you to enjoy freshly dispensed beer anywhere, indoors or outdoors.

Adams Gas delivers bottled gases throughout Kent, South and Central London, and East Sussex. If you order from outside these areas, don’t worry, we’ll send your order to your local stockist. Check out our how-to-order page for more information.

Versatility

Different gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen, offer versatility in beer dispensing. Carbon dioxide is commonly used to maintain carbonation levels, while nitrogen is often used to serve nitrogenated beers like stouts and nitro cold brew coffee. You can cater to a wide range of beer styles and preferences with the right gas choice.

How to Choose the Right Gas for Your Needs

Home bars provide a space that you can use for socialising, relaxing, and having fun cooking up new recipes for cocktails or pouring pints, ready to embrace those glorious summer days.

To make your cocktails or pour pints, you’ll need to right the gas for the job. There are many types to choose from, so getting overwhelmed with choice is easy. To help, we’ve outlined some of the most common gases used in beer dispensing.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

CO2 is the most used gas for home bars as it supplies the necessary pressure to push beer from the keg and maintain carbonation levels. We stock a range of CO2 bottles, cylinders, and canisters at Adams Gas, so you’re sure to find the right gas for your home bar.

Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is utilised for serving nitrogenated beers that require a creamy mouthfeel and a cascading effect when poured. It comes in various forms, from nitrogen bottles to nitrogen cylinders, and can be combined with CO2 for specific beer styles or as a standalone gas.

Gas Mixtures

Some systems utilise gas mixtures that combine CO2 and nitrogen to achieve specific pour characteristics. These mixtures are commonly used for serving beers that require a balance between carbonation and a smooth, creamy texture. Here are some examples of the types of gas mixtures you can choose from:

• 25% CO2/75% Nitro – used for nitrogenated beers.
• 30% Nitro/ 70% CO2 – blended gas used for ales and lagers.
• 60% CO2/ 40% Nitro – used for stouts and carb beers.

Choosing the right gas cylinder size and pressure rating for your setup is also important. A larger cylinder may require less frequent refilling but may be more difficult to store and transport.

We have a large range of gas cylinders, from the 6.35kg CO2 gas refill to the 2L Cellar Beer Gas 60/40 mix. You can shop the collection on our website.

Tips for Using Bottled Gas for Beer Dispensing

To use bottled gas safely and effectively for beer dispensing, follow these tips:

Regulator and Pressure Adjustment

You can use a reliable regulator to control the gas pressure. We have a range of clip on regulators available for all types of gas, from butane to CO2.

As we’ve mentioned, different beers require varying levels of carbonation. So, it’s important to adjust the pressure accordingly. You can always refer to the beer style guidelines or consult with experts to decide the right pressure for best results.

Regular Maintenance

Ensure proper maintenance of your gas systems by cleaning the lines and faucets regularly. This prevents the build-up of bacteria, yeast, or other contaminants, which can affect the flavour and quality of the dispensed beer.

Safety Precautions

Following safety guidelines is vital when handling bottled gas; we have a series of safety guidelines for you to familiarise yourself with.

Make use that you store it in a well-ventilated area away from open flames or heat sources. Always check for leaks before connecting the gas supply and familiarise yourself with emergency procedures.

Gas Supply Backup

It’s advisable to keep a spare CO2 or nitrogen cylinder on hand, especially for larger gatherings or extended periods of beer dispensing. This ensures uninterrupted service and avoids disappointment when hosting events.

Gas is an essential part of any home bar. It can improve the taste and quality of your beer, make dispensing easier and more efficient, and save you money in the long run. At Adams Gas, we supply cellar and beer gas commercially and domestically and can help you achieve your home bar dreams. For more information, get in touch with us today.

For more information on EFFORTLESS BEER DISPENSING: THE BENEFITS OF BOTTLED GAS FOR HOME BARS talk to Adams Gas