Apparatus, system and method for adding hops or other ingredients to beverage

摘要

A method and apparatus for dry hopping a beverage contained in a fermentation tank can include providing a hops vessel defining an interior space. The method can include adding hops to the interior space of the hops vessel, sealing the interior space of the hops vessel from ambient atmosphere, and propelling at least a portion of the hops from the interior space of the hops vessel into a supply hose, closing an exit port valve, and opening a bypass valve which is in fluid communication with a top portion of the hops vessel and the supply hose thereby propelling hops remaining in the supply hose into the fermentation tank.

主权项

1. A method for dry hopping a beverage contained in a fermentation tank comprising:
providing a hops vessel having,
a top portion and a bottom portion and defining an interior space,a fill port located at the top portion of the hops vessel,an inert gas port located at the top portion of the hops vessel,an inert gas port valve located adjacent the inert gas port,an exit port located at the bottom portion of the hops vessel,an exit port valve located adjacent the exit port,a branch tube connected to the exit port via the exit port valve, anda bypass tube in fluid communication with the top portion of the hops vessel and connected to the branch tube via a bypass valve; closing the exit port valve of the hops vessel; adding hops to the interior space of the hops vessel; sealing the interior space of the hops vessel from ambient atmosphere; connecting a pressurized inert gas supply to the inert gas port such that inert gas is in fluid communication with the interior space of the hops vessel; purging the hops vessel of ambient atmosphere using the pressurized inert gas supply; connecting a supply tube between the exit port of the hops vessel and the fermentation tank; pressurizing the interior space of the hops vessel with the pressurized inert gas supply; opening the exit port valve and thereby propelling at least a portion of the hops from the interior space of the hops vessel into the supply tube; closing the exit port valve; and opening the bypass valve which is in fluid communication with the top portion of the hops vessel and the supply tube thereby propelling hops remaining in the supply tube into the fermentation tank.