carbotek gmbh :: beer in box

beer in box :: question & answers :: faqs

How is CO₂ removed from the beer?

Answer: Via a Vacuum-Circulation pump prior to filling.
After storage, the Bag-in-Box Beer is pumped under pressure in a circular motion and the CO₂ is sucked out until only 1g/L of the original 5g/L remains.

Do Bag-In-Box beers taste any different?

Answer: No
The beer is brewed and produced by traditional methods. The only difference is that the CO₂ is taken out before filling and only put back in the dispense unit. The CO2 concentration of 5-7g CO₂/l is the same. The consumer notices no difference whatsoever. The bags are food safe and have no influence on the taste.

Variable CO₂ content?
Variable dispense speeds can be set on the compensator tap. Is it guaranteed that the beer always has the same concentration of CO₂?

Answer: Yes, the CO₂ content is always constant.
The carbonator has a proportionality valve. This ensures that the mixing ratio between beer and CO₂ remains the same. In this way it is guaranteed that the CO₂ concentration is constant – however it is set.

How can the CO₂ content be set?

Answer: By the pressure of the CO₂ carbonation line
The proportionality valve is designed for a CO₂ pressure of 5.5 bar (5g CO₂/l). To increase the concentration of CO₂, simply increase the pressure.

At what pressure does the beer leave the carbonator?

Answer: The same as a keg
The beer comes out of the carbonator at approx. 2 bar. This corresponds approximately to keg pressure. This pressure can be adapted to individual requirements.

How can the outlet pressure of the carbonator be changed?

Answer: By a spring
A spring regulates pressure reduction in the carbonator. By changing this spring the level of outlet pressure can be increased or reduced.

What are the technical requirements to be able to serve
Bag-In-Box beer?

Answer: The requirements are minimal
In most cases kegs can be replaced by Bag-In-Box beers simply and cost-effectively, with minimal outlay on installation. All that you need per line is:

a carbonator
a pump (Flojet)
a CO₂ cylinder with a 7 bar pressure manometer

It is essential that the beer is cooled (max 8°C) at the point of carbonation.

Does the CO₂ for the pressure membrane pump and for the beer come from a CO₂ cylinder?

Answer: Yes, it can be done like that.
The pump needs a drive pressure of 5.5 bar (air, CO₂ or N₂). This is also the pressure to which the proportionality valve in the carbonator is adjusted. The CO₂ for drive and carbonation can be taken from the same cylinders. That means: a CO₂ cylinder with a manometer and 2 line outlets. One line is used to operate the pump, and the other to recarbonate the beer. (Tee joint likewise possible.)

What does the Reinheitsgebot (purity decree) say?

Answer: Nothing was known about CO₂ at the time of the Reinheitsgebot,
which simply specified brewing ingredients. These are: hops, water, malt and yeast. We have a notice in the list of beverages recommending that the consumer pays attention to the addition of CO₂ (E 290).

Is the whole thing patented?

Answer: We have of course applied for appropriate patents for the carbonator, so that we ourselves can also market our development work.

What kind of savings can be made with Bag-in-Box Beer?

Answer: We calculate that moving to Bag-in-Box Beer can result in savings of 15-20 € / hl.