In 1998, the second edition of MEBAK Volume IV was published, covering the topics of beer and beverage hoses, industrial gases/carbon dioxide and systems for dispensing beverages containing CO2. As part of ongoing harmonization within the EU, two significant changes relevant to the member states were implemented. The elimination of the regulations governing dispensing systems (Schankanlagenverordnung) affected Germany in particular. Moreover, many breweries in European countries are no longer providing traditional, direct services to customers who buy draft beer. Instead, companies specializing in draft systems carry out their installation, cleaning and maintenance.
In response to these changes, MEBAK decided to add the guideline for beverage dispensing systems to its repertoire, in order to complement their other guidelines (Monitoring Brewhouse Operations, Guidelines for the Inspection of Filtration Systems and Guidelines for the Validation, Verification and Inspection of CIP Systems and Cleaning Processes). This volume is designed to help those who work with draft systems.
As the guidelines were being developed, existing chapters, still relevant today, were completely revised and updated. A special focus was placed on analyses essential for the critical evaluation of beverage dispensing systems. Checklists designed for the inspection of dispensing systems were created and, furthermore, recommendations were given regarding the minimum technical requirements. In addition, uniform sample collection methods and microbiological analyses have been included.
The MEBAK working group for beverage dispensing systems consisted of Dr. August Gresser (Bergner Bräu, Eppan) and Dipl.-Ing. Johannes Tippmann (Lehrstuhl für Verfahrenstechnik disperser Systeme, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan, TUM). They were supported by Klaus Dörsam (Berufsgenossenschaft Nahrung, Mannheim), Achim Nieroda (Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Berlin), Götz Steinl (AB InBev Deutschland, Bremen) and Prof. Dr. Werner Back.