How is nitrogen used in breweries?

Nitrogen plays an important role in modern brewing, helping breweries protect product quality, reduce oxidation and lower reliance on delivered CO2. As an inert gas, nitrogen can be used throughout the brewing process without affecting the flavour, carbonation balance or stability of the beer.

In this article, we explain how nitrogen is used in breweries, why more brewers are switching to on-site nitrogen generation, and how Maziak can help breweries reduce costs and improve supply reliability.

Why breweries use nitrogen

Oxygen is one of the biggest threats to beer quality. If beer is exposed to too much oxygen during production, transfer, storage or packaging, it can lead to oxidation. This can negatively affect flavour, aroma, colour and shelf life.

Nitrogen helps prevent this by creating an inert protective atmosphere. Because it is colourless, odourless, tasteless and low in solubility, it can be used across brewery operations without changing the beer’s intended character.

For breweries looking to reduce reliance on delivered gas, on-site nitrogen gas generation offers a reliable way to produce nitrogen as and when it is needed.

How nitrogen is used during brewing

Nitrogen can be used at several key stages of beer production. One of its most common uses is tank purging. Before beer enters a tank, nitrogen can be used to remove oxygen from the headspace, helping to protect the product from oxidation.

It is also used during beer transfer. When beer is moved between tanks, through filtration or into packaging lines, nitrogen provides the pressure needed to move the product without introducing oxygen or altering carbonation levels.

During storage, nitrogen can be used to maintain positive pressure in tanks. This helps prevent air ingress caused by temperature or volume changes, keeping beer stable before it moves to the next stage.

Nitrogen is also useful during cleaning. Many breweries use caustic cleaning solutions to clean tanks and pipework. Unlike CO2, nitrogen does not react with sodium hydroxide, helping reduce the risk of unwanted chemical reactions during cleaning processes.

Nitrogen in packaging and dispensing

Nitrogen continues to be useful once the brewing process is complete. It can be used to purge bottles, cans and kegs before filling, reducing oxygen pickup at the packaging stage. This helps extend shelf life and maintain the quality of the final product.

For kegging and dispensing, nitrogen can act as a propellant to move beer from keg to tap. It is especially useful where brewers want to avoid adding unnecessary CO2 to the beer.

Nitrogen is also associated with nitrogenated beers, where it is used alongside CO2 to create smaller bubbles, a smoother texture and a creamier mouthfeel. This is particularly popular in stouts and other beer styles where a soft, velvety finish is desired.

Nitrogen vs CO2 in breweries

CO2 remains essential for carbonation, so breweries are unlikely to eliminate it completely. However, many non-carbonation processes can use nitrogen instead.

Nitrogen is often more cost-effective, more stable in supply and less affected by the price volatility associated with CO2. Because it is less soluble in beer, it is also less likely to alter carbonation levels during transfer, purging and storage.

From a sustainability perspective, generating nitrogen on site also reduces the need for delivered gas cylinders or bulk gas deliveries. This can support lower transport emissions and reduce the operational burden of ordering, storing and replacing cylinders.

You can read more about the wider advantages in our guide to the benefits of having an on-site nitrogen gas generator, or explore how on-site nitrogen generation reduces your operating costs.

The benefits of on-site nitrogen generation for breweries

Producing nitrogen on site gives breweries greater control over gas supply, purity and cost. Rather than depending on external deliveries, a nitrogen generator uses compressed air to produce nitrogen when it is needed.

This helps breweries:

• Reduce reliance on delivered CO2 for non-carbonation applications.
• Avoid supply chain disruption and fluctuating gas prices.
• Improve safety by reducing cylinder handling and storage.
• Generate nitrogen at the purity required for brewery processes.
• Support sustainability targets by reducing delivery-related emissions.

For temporary requirements, additional capacity or project-based demand, Maziak can also support breweries with nitrogen generator hire.

A real brewery example

Maziak has already helped a brewery reduce production costs through on-site nitrogen generation. The brewery was experiencing rising and unpredictable CO2 costs, so Maziak recommended using its existing compressed air system with a nitrogen generator to produce food-grade nitrogen on site.

The system now supports non-carbonation processes such as tank top pressure, pipe purging, bottling, canning and kegging. This helped the brewery lower gas costs, stabilise supply and reduce reliance on delivered CO2.

You can read the full case study here: Reducing Brewery Production Costs Through On-Site Nitrogen Generation.

How Maziak can help

Maziak can help breweries specify, install and maintain on-site nitrogen generation systems tailored to their production needs. Whether you operate a microbrewery or a growing production facility, our team can assess your gas requirements and recommend a solution that supports reliability, efficiency and long-term cost control.

Nitrogen is also used widely beyond brewing. To learn more, read our guide to the practical applications of nitrogen gas or our article on how nitrogen gas is used in food and beverage production.

If you would like to discuss nitrogen generation for your brewery, get in touch with Maziak today.

 

FAQs

How is nitrogen used in breweries?

Nitrogen is used for tank purging, beer transfer, storage tank pressurisation, packaging, kegging, cleaning and nitrogenating certain beer styles. Its main role is to reduce oxygen exposure and protect beer quality.

Can nitrogen replace CO2 in brewing?

Nitrogen can replace CO2 in many non-carbonation applications, such as purging, transfer, blanketing and packaging. CO2 is still usually required for carbonation.

Does nitrogen affect the taste of beer?

Nitrogen is colourless, odourless and tasteless, so it does not negatively affect beer flavour. In nitrogenated beers, it can create a smoother texture and creamier mouthfeel.

Why do breweries use on-site nitrogen generators?

On-site nitrogen generators give breweries a reliable supply of nitrogen, reduce dependence on delivered gas, lower long-term operating costs and improve control over gas purity.

Is nitrogen suitable for craft breweries?

Yes. Nitrogen generation can be suitable for breweries of different sizes, including craft breweries and microbreweries, provided the system is correctly sized for the brewery’s flow, pressure and purity requirements.