Beer hoses
Everything You Need to Know About Beer Hoses
Beer hoses are an essential component of any draft beer system. They are used to transport beer from the keg to the tap. Beer hoses must meet certain requirements, such as high resistance to CO2 and other beverages. Typically, beer hoses have an inner diameter of 7mm to 10mm and are available in various lengths, either as cut-to-size or with pre-fitted fittings. Good transparency is also important to detect any contamination in a timely manner. When purchasing, ensure that the beer hoses are compatible with the beer dispensing system to ensure optimal performance.
What Are Beer Hoses and What Are They Used For?
Beer hoses are flexible hoses used in the hospitality and brewing industries for beer hoses and CO2 hoses. They come in various sizes, such as 7mm, 10mm, or even in custom lengths. These hoses are used to transport beer and other beverages in draft beer systems and dispensers. Their crystal-clear appearance also makes them visually appealing. Beer hoses are fitted with appropriate fittings, seals, and connectors to ensure a secure connection to the beer system.
Different Types of Beer Hoses
There are various types of beer hoses used in the hospitality and brewing industries. A popular option is the crystal-clear beer hose with a diameter of 7mm for beer systems. For CO2, a 10mm CO2 hose is often used. The hoses are available in different lengths, such as custom cut-to-size. It is important that the beer hoses are leak-proof to ensure optimal beer quality. The hoses can also be used for beverage hoses to transport different drinks.
Advantages of Beer Hoses
Beer hoses offer numerous advantages for the beverage industry. Due to their flexible properties, they can be easily adapted to different configurations to ensure efficient beer dispensing. With diameters such as 8mm or 10mm, beer hoses can easily handle CO2, ensuring the quality of the beer. The use of high-quality materials like PVC or silicone also ensures a long service life for the hoses. Thanks to various lengths, such as in meters or inches, beer hoses can be customized. Overall, beer hoses provide a reliable and hygienic solution for beverage dispensing. Many beer hoses are designed to be easy to clean, helping to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination. Temperature control and cooling: In combination with cooling systems, beer hoses can help keep beer at the optimal serving temperature, improving taste.
What to Consider When Buying Beer Hoses
When purchasing beer hoses, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you get the right product. First, choose the correct length of the hose that meets your requirements. Pay attention to the inner diameter (ID) of the hose to ensure it is suitable for your application. It is also important that the hose is suitable for contact with beer and CO2, so ensure it is a specialized beer hose. Check the fittings to make sure they match your beer system. Quality is crucial, so look for high-quality materials and good craftsmanship.
Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning Beer Hoses
To ensure optimal beer quality, it is important to regularly maintain and clean the beer hoses. Here are some tips that can help:
- Cleaning: After each use, thoroughly flush the beer hoses with warm water to remove residues. Specialized cleaning agents can be used if necessary.
- Disinfection: To prevent germs and bacteria, it is advisable to regularly disinfect the beer hoses. A mixture of water and vinegar can be used for this purpose.
- Inspection: Regularly check the beer hoses for cracks, wear, or blockages. Replace the hoses if necessary to ensure the quality of the beer.
- Clamps and Fittings: Check all clamps and fittings for tightness and functionality. Loose connections can lead to leaks.
- Temperature Control: Ensure that the hoses are not exposed to excessively high temperatures as this can damage the material.
- Storage: Store the hoses in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and chemical substances.
By following these tips, you can extend the lifespan of the beer hoses and ensure the quality of the beer.
Applications:
- Hospitality; Bars and Restaurants: Beer hoses are used to transport beer from kegs to taps. They are crucial for the connection between the keg and the tap.
- Beer Tents and Festivals: At events like Oktoberfest or other festivals, mobile dispensing systems use beer hoses to quickly and efficiently pour beer from kegs.
- Breweries, Keg Beer Production: In breweries, beer hoses are used to transport beer during the production process from one container to another, e.g., from the fermentation vessel to the storage tank.
- Sampling: Beer hoses can also be used for taking samples for quality control during the brewing process.
- Cooling Systems: In many bars and breweries, beer hoses are used in cooling systems to keep the beer at the optimal serving temperature. These hoses can be cooled with refrigerants or cold water.
- Events and Trade Shows: Mobile dispensing systems: At trade shows or events, mobile dispensing systems equipped with beer hoses are often used to enable quick and efficient beer dispensing.
- Home Brewing: Hobby brewers: Even at home, hobby brewers use beer hoses to transfer beer between different containers (e.g., fermentation vessels and bottles).
Manufacturers:
REHAU: REHAU is a global company that, among other products, manufactures beer hoses. They are known for their high-quality polymer products used in various industries, including the food and beverage sector. The most commonly used hoses for draft beer systems and beverage dispensers are RAUALCO and TUBALCO. For draft beer systems and beverage dispensers, RAUALCO and TUBALCO beverage hoses are the top choice. These food-grade hoses ensure that both alcoholic beverages like beer and wine, as well as non-alcoholic beverages like Coca-Cola, are transported without loss of quality.
The beverage hoses made from PVC and PE are odorless, tasteless, physiologically harmless, and easy to clean. Thanks to specially selected formulations, these hoses meet various national food regulations (BfR/FDA/Manual 1227) and have SK approval. Additionally, there is a distinction between RAUALCO and TUBALCO hoses. The RAUALCO hose is a crystal-clear beverage hose made of PVC, while the TUBALCO is a flexible beverage hose made of PE and is milky white on the outside.
Configured as REHAU Pythons, the protection and cooling of RAUALCO and TUBALCO beverage hoses are further enhanced. The frost-free Pythons ensure a consistent temperature from the cellar to the tap. Since every draft beer system is designed differently, REHAU Pythons are customized according to specific customer requirements.
Foxiflex: This German company produces a variety of hoses, including beer hoses. They offer custom solutions and have a wide range of hoses and fittings. Their hoses are made from high-quality materials such as PE, PUR, PVC, and PTFE.
Continental Industry: This company provides a range of food-grade hoses, including those designed for the beverage industry. Their products comply with relevant EU and FDA regulations.
Noelle + Nordhorn GmbH: They offer a variety of food-grade hoses, including specialized models for beverages, such as Blaudieck and Lactopal hoses. They also provide custom hose assemblies.
Norres Schlauchtechnik GmbH: Norres manufactures a broad range of hoses for the food and beverage industry. Their products meet FDA and EU standards and are designed for various applications, including suction and pressure lines.
Hygienic Design: This company offers a range of products for the food and beverage industry, including beer hoses specifically designed for hygienic applications.
Parker Hannifin: Parker is a leading provider of hose systems and components, including beer hoses known for their quality and durability.
Trelleborg: Trelleborg produces a variety of hoses for different applications, including specialized hoses for the beer industry.
Valper Micro Matic: Micro Matic specializes in solutions for the hospitality and beverage industry, particularly in draft beer and beverage systems. Micro Matic offers products and services related to the storage, transport, and dispensing of beverages. For example, Micro Matic provides the following hoses:
Features & Benefits:
- Designed to ensure maximum thermal transfer between cooling and product lines and to maintain the coolest possible delivery temperature.
- Lines manufactured with tight tolerances to be compatible with both internal (barbed and clip) and "push-in" fittings.
- Consistent product performance.
- Customizable to individual requirements (1-24 product lines).
- Hoses within the Python can be wired to provide greater flexibility and reduce the minimum bend radius.
Certifications/Approvals:
- All hose materials comply with EU Regulation 10/2011 - Plastics materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
- In accordance with relevant sections of the FDA Code of Regulation, Title 21.
- The Python is fire-resistant according to BS476, Part 7, Class 1 (Surface spread of flame).
- A multi-layer high-performance beverage dispensing hose with an exceptional gas and flavor barrier layer.
Features & Benefits:
- High-tech for consistent quality.
- Flawless and ultra-smooth inner layer.
- Practically "zero" oxygen ingress – ideal for wine dispensing.
- Maintains carbonation levels of the dispensed product even after long storage periods.
- Significantly reduced bacterial growth when used for beer dispensing – i.e., extended cleaning cycles.
- Eliminates cross-contamination of strong flavors when used in Pythons.
Construction of Beer Hoses:
- Material: Beer hoses are often made from food-grade plastics or rubber that are suitable for contact with food.
- Inner Diameter: The inner diameter can vary to meet the specific requirements of the beer system.
- Wall Thickness: Wall thickness is important to maintain pressure and ensure durability.
- Surface: The inside of the hoses is often smooth to facilitate beer flow and prevent deposits.
- Fittings: Beer hoses are usually equipped with special fittings that allow secure connections to fittings, taps, and pressure regulators.
Manufacturing:
- Material Selection: The appropriate material is selected based on the specific requirements of the beer hose. Commonly used materials include polyurethane (PU), PVC, silicone, and rubber.
- Raw Material Preparation: Raw materials are typically delivered in granules or blocks. These may need to be dried or processed before use to optimize their properties.
- Extrusion: In the extrusion process, the prepared material is heated and pressed through a nozzle to create the hose in the desired shape and size. Extrusion ensures even distribution of the material for consistent wall thickness.
- Cooling Circuits: In many breweries and bars, beer hoses are used in cooling systems to maintain the beer at the optimal serving temperature. These hoses can be cooled with refrigerants or cold water to regulate the beer’s temperature during transport. For longer distances from the keg to the tap, Python hoses are used.
For example, from the manufacturer Valper Micro Matic: Valper Micro Matic, based in Bangor, Northern Ireland, was the first company in the world to machine-produce Python hoses. Since this invention, Valper Micro Matic has been the leading global manufacturer of Python and hoses. Their core competency lies in the production of single and multi-layer hoses, their bundling, and the forming and welding of hoses.
- Cutting: The extruded hose is cut to the desired length, which can be done manually or automatically.
- Surface Treatment: Depending on requirements, the hose may undergo surface treatment to improve its properties, such as:
- Cleaning: Removing impurities or residues.
- Coating: In some cases, a special coating is applied to increase durability or chemical resistance.
- Fittings: If required, fittings (such as clamps or connectors) are attached to the ends of the hose. These may be made from stainless steel or other suitable materials.
- Quality Control: Each hose undergoes strict quality controls to ensure it meets required standards, including tests for leak-tightness, flexibility, and resistance to chemical influences.
- Packaging and Shipping: After passing quality control, the hoses are packaged and prepared for shipping.