What is the purpose of a gas blender in a keg system?

The purpose of a gas blender in a keg system is to mix gases, particularly to create the appropriate gas mix for nitro beers. Nitro beers require a specific balance of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the gas serving mixture to achieve the desired creamy texture and mouthfeel characteristic of these styles. By blending nitrogen with a small amount of CO2, the gas blender ensures that the nitrogen is properly infused into the beer, allowing for the characteristic cascading effect and a rich, velvety finish when poured. This controlled mixture is crucial for optimal performance, as nitrogen alone does not provide sufficient carbonation and can lead to flat or overly foamy presentations if not balanced with CO2.

This focus on blending gases distinguishes the functionality of the gas blender from other equipment in the keg system, such as carbonation devices or temperature control units, which serve different purposes within the beer serving process.