Why Would I Purge This Tank? I’m Not a Hoarder
We get it. “Purging” sounds like something you’d do to a closet full of free taster glasses and old fest shirts.
But in brewing, purging a tank doesn’t mean decluttering — it means clearing out oxygen, and it’s one of the most important (and most overlooked) steps in making high-quality beer.
What Is Tank Purging in Brewing?
Tank purging is the process of flushing out oxygen from a fermenter, brite tank, or transfer line and replacing it with an inert gas like CO₂ or nitrogen (N₂). It’s done before transferring wort, beer, or even cleaning chemicals — and it’s essential for protecting your product from oxidation.
Why Oxygen in Beer Is a Problem
Even a small amount of oxygen pickup in your tanks or lines can cause:
- Stale, cardboard, or papery flavours
- Colour changes or haze in packaged beer
- Shorter shelf life, especially in cans
- Loss of hop aroma (especially in hazy and dry-hopped styles)
If you’re packaging a light lager or a juicy DDH IPA, even low levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) can undo all your hard work.
That’s why smart brewers purge their tanks — and why the quality of the purge really matters.
Sounds Simple. So Why Is It Hard?
Here’s the thing: purging a tank takes time, gas, and guesswork.
You might vent a tank for 15, 30, even 60 minutes… but how do you know it worked?
Most brewers rely on the “good enough” method:
- Purge for X minutes
- Smell the gas stream
- Cross fingers
- Start the transfer
The problem? Oxygen is invisible. You can’t see or smell it, and you won’t know it’s there until your beer starts tasting off weeks later.
This is especially risky when:
- CO₂ costs are rising
- You’re under time pressure
- You’re packaging sensitive styles
- You’re trying to improve shelf stability and QA
BrewOps Purge: Real-Time Oxygen Monitoring for Breweries
BrewOps Purge is a wireless, in-line oxygen sensor that gives you live visibility during purging — no more guessing, no more wasted gas, no more “I hope this is good enough.”
With BrewOps Purge, you can:
- Watch oxygen levels drop in real-time during a purge or CIP
- Get notified when the tank hits your target threshold
- Stop wasting CO₂ — end the purge at the perfect moment
- Auto-log data for QA, compliance, or internal records
It installs in minutes with standard tri-clamp fittings. No wires, no PLC, no integration headaches — just accurate, repeatable purging every time.
Who Uses BrewOps Purge?
BrewOps is built for breweries of all sizes — whether you’re running a 3-vessel system in a tight space or a packaging hall full of 120 bbl tanks.
It’s a game-changer for:
- Craft brewers who want tighter control over cold-side processes
- Breweries reducing CO₂ usage or chasing sustainability goals
- QA managers looking to cut DO across packaging lines
- Cellar teams who want to purge tanks efficiently without babysitting
If your brewery is growing, packaging, or just tired of guessing, BrewOps Purge gives you the confidence you’re missing.
Purging Tanks Isn’t About Cleanliness — It’s About Confidence
You’re not hoarding. You’re protecting your beer.
Purging your tanks the right way helps prevent oxidation, improve shelf life, and maintain hop flavour — all without wasting gas or losing sleep.
And with BrewOps, you don’t need to guess anymore.
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