Glossary

Beer Gas (blended gas):  blend of carbon dioxide and nitrogen used in draught systems. The presence of nitrogen results in smaller bubbles than carbon dioxide alone. This produces beer with a denser head and a creamier mouth feel. Beer gas is popular with darker styles of beer such as stout. Beers served with beer gas instead of carbon dioxide alone are sometimes called nitro.

Beer Mix: Premixed high-pressure cylinder comprised of approximately 60% Carbon Dioxide and 40% Nitrogen. This blend is only intended for the pressurization of kegged ales and lagers, on long draw draught dispensing systems.

Beverage Grade CO2 (Carbon Dioxide): Carbon Dioxide that meets the stringent quality standards set forth by the CGA (Compressed Air Association) and the ISBT (International Society of Beverage Technologists. Beverage Grade CO2 is the only grade intended for human consumption. 

Brix: Brix (symbol °Bx) is a unit representative of the sugar content of an aqueous solution. One degree Brix corresponds to 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution and thus represents the strength of the solution as a percentage by weight (% w/w) (strictly speaking, by mass). If the solution contains dissolved solids other than pure sucrose, such as other sugars, minerals etc., then the °Bx only approximate the dissolved solid content. The °Bx has traditionally been used in the wine, sugar, fruit juice, honey and other industries. It is intended to represent exactly the same thing as the degree Plato (°P), widely used by the brewing industry, and the degree Balling which, while it is the oldest of the three, is still in use in some parts of the world and found in textbooks which are considered current today. [1] While all three are intended to represent the same thing (the number of grams of sucrose in 100 grams of solution) in fact they do not, though the differences are small.

Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide (chemical formula CO2) is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and exists in Earth’s atmosphere in this state. CO2 is a trace gas being only 0.038% of the atmosphere.

Carbonation: Occurs when carbon dioxide is dissolved in water or an aqueous solution. This process yields the “fizz” to carbonated water, sparkling mineral water, and soft drinks; the head to beer; and the cork pop and bubbles to champagne and sparkling wine.

Carbonated: usually refers to the dissolving of carbon dioxide in an aqueous solution. The process usually involves high pressures of carbon dioxide. Upon lowering of this pressure, the carbon dioxide is released from the solution as bubbles. This effect is observed in carbonated beverages. Since the carbonation of aqueous solutions requires pressure, the opening of containers of such solutions is accompanied by an audible pop. Carbonation can also describe a chemical reaction, one example of which is a key step in photosynthesis.

Carbonic Gas: A colorless, odorless, incombustible gas, CO2, formed during respiration, combustion, and organic decomposition and used in food refrigeration, carbonated beverages, inert atmospheres, fire extinguishers, and aerosols.

CO2: Carbon dioxide (chemical formula CO2) is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and exists in Earth’s atmosphere in this state. CO2 is a trace gas being only 0.038% of the atmosphere.

Foodservice: Foodservice (US English) or catering industry (British English) defines those businesses, institutions, and companies responsible for any meal prepared outside the home. This industry includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.

G-Mix (Guinness Mix): Premixed high-pressure cylinder comprised of 25% Carbon Dioxide and 75% Nitrogen. This blend is only intended for the pressurization of kegged nitrogenated beers or stout beers, such a Guinness and Boddington’s, in both long draw and short draw environments. 

He: Helium is the chemical element with atomic number 2 and an atomic weight of 4.0026, which is represented by the symbol He. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert monatomic gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table.

Helium: Helium is the chemical element with atomic number 2 and an atomic weight of 4.0026, which is represented by the symbol He. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert monatomic gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table.

Home brewing: Is the brewing of beer, wine, cider and other beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, through fermentation on a small scale as a hobby for personal consumption, free distribution at social gatherings, amateur brewing competitions or other non-commercial reasons.

Hydroponics: The use of water and nutrients to grow plants without soil.

Hydro test: Hydro testing: Hydro testing is done every 5 years on a Helium Tank and it is required to be done by law before any Helium Filler can fill the Helium Tank. Hydro testing ensures that your Helium Tank is safe to use since it will be tested under high pressure conditions. When a Helium Tank goes in for a Hydro test, the main valve is unscrewed from the top of the Helium Tank and then the Helium Tank goes through a testing process in which it is inspected for hairline fractures in the metal. If there are no cracks in the metal, then the Helium Tank passes the Hydro test and the Helium Tank is marked by engraving a date (month-year) into the top part of the Helium Tank. If the date stamp is current within the last 5 years, your Helium Tank is safe for Helium Refilling. If the Helium Tank does not pass Hydro testing, the Helium Tank is marked condemned and cannot be refilled. This may happen if the Helium Tank was damaged in some way. Usually extreme conditions cause this- fires, dropping of the Helium Tank a number of times, also softer metals such as aluminum Helium Tanks and Helium Cylinders sometimes do not pass. When metal has been bent (especially around the top part of the Helium Tank, it starts to weaken the metal).

Keg: One-half barrel, or 15.5 U. S. gallons. A half keg or, 7.75 U. S. gallons, is referred to as a pony-keg. 2. A vessel holding 15.5 gallons that is used for serving beer in large quantities.

Kegerator: Kegerator is a term used to describe a self-contained draft (draught) beer dispensing device. A keg or several kegs, typically of beer, are stored in a refrigerated container in order to keep the keg chilled and dispensed through a facet affixed to the keg.

Long Draw: Draught beer dispensing system requiring more than 13-15psi to pressurize kegs properly. The target pour rate is 2 ounces per second.

Nitro: Sometimes a bar will employ phrases like “nitro conditioned” or “on nitro” to sell their beer, particularly draught stouts. Upon seeing this, you might think, “Someone’s ad campaign has gone horribly awry, because that sounds like something that will explode in my mouth.” Don’t worry. Nitro refers to a combo of CO2 and nitrogen that propels the beer from barrel to tap. Nitrogen produces tiny bubbles and gives the beer a smooth, creamy texture. This is why Guinness on draught usually tastes like a burnt creamsicle (and because most bars serve it way too cold).

Nitrogen: Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78% by volume of Earth’s atmosphere.

Paintball Gun: A paintball marker, also known as a paintball gun, is the main piece of equipment in the sport of paintball. Markers use an expanding gas, such as carbon dioxide or compressed air, to propel paintballs through the barrel.

Paintball Marker: A paintball marker, also known as a paintball gun, is the main piece of equipment in the sport of paintball. Markers use an expanding gas, such as carbon dioxide or compressed air, to propel paintballs through the barrel.

pH: Is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at 25 °C (77 °F). Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline. pH measurements are important in medicine, biology, chemistry, food science, environmental science, oceanography, civil engineering and many other applications.

Pop: A soft drink (widely referred to as pop, soda, or soda pop) is a drink that contains no alcohol but is usually referred to as a sugary drink. Soft drinks are often carbonated and commonly consumed while cold and or room temperature. In New England they call sodas, tonics.

Post mix: Premix (also pre-mix) and post mix (also post-mix) are two methods of serving – usually carbonated – soft drinks that are alternative to bottles and cans.

Premix: (also pre-mix) and post mix (also post-mix) are two methods of serving – usually carbonated – soft drinks that are alternative to bottles and cans.

Soda Gun: A soda gun is a device used by bars to serve various types of drinks. A soda gun has the ability to serve any beverage that is some combination of syrup, water, and/or carbon dioxide. This includes soft drinks, iced tea, carbonated water, and plain water.

Short Draw: Draught beer dispensing system requiring more than 13-15psi to pressurize kegs properly. The target pour rate is 2 ounces per second.

Syrup & Flavoring Production Industry: This industry includes establishments that primarily manufacture flavoring syrup drink concentrates and related products for soda fountains.

UN Numbers: or UN IDs are four-digit numbers that identify hazardous substances, and articles (such as explosives, flammable liquids, toxic substances, etc.) in the framework of international transport. Some hazardous substances have their own UN numbers (e.g. acryl amide has UN2074), while sometimes groups of chemicals or products with similar properties receive a common UN number (e.g. flammable liquid, not otherwise specified, have UN1993). A chemical in its solid state may receive a different UN number than the liquid phase if their hazardous properties differ significantly; substances with different levels of purity (or concentration in solution) may also receive different UN numbers.

Water Filtration: A water filter removes impurities from water by means of a fine physical barrier, a chemical process or a biological process. Filters cleanse water to various extents for irrigation, drinking water, aquariums, and swimming pools.