A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.

A beverage dispensing machine for dispensing a mixed beverage has a first inlet configured to receive a concentrate; a second inlet configured to receive a base fluid; a gas inlet configured to receive a gas; a gas injection device configured to pulsate the gas into the concentrate such that the gas agitates the concentrate and is injected into the concentrate to form a gas-injected concentrate; and a dispensing valve configured to dispense the base fluid and the gas-injected concentrate.

Various exemplary agitators for a carbonation system, systems including an agitator for a carbonation system, and methods including an agitator for a carbonation system are provided. In general, an agitator is configured to rotate in a chamber to mix together a gas, such as carbon dioxide, and a liquid, such as water, to form a carbonated fluid. The agitator includes a plurality of paddles configured to encourage the mixing of the gas and the fluid by agitating the gas and the liquid during the agitator's rotation. Each of the arms has an angled outer tip to facilitate the efficient mixing. The agitator includes a hollow shaft through which the gas is configured to flow during the agitator's rotation. The agitator can be part of a carbonation system configured to dispense the carbonated fluid as a beverage.

An aerator and an associated method and system are provided. The aerator includes an elongate body having a central bore that extends between proximal and distal ends of the body, and a plurality of channels formed in an outer surface of the body, the plurality of channels extending between the proximal and distal ends, and including at least two bends along their lengths. The bends in the channels help to provide a smoother flow of liquids passing through the aerator.

An alcohol aging assembly for rapidly aging distilled spirits includes an aging container for containing alcohol. A cylinder comprised of copper is provided which can be submerged in alcohol without imparting an unpleasant flavor to the alcohol. A plurality of dowels is each of the dowels is disposed within the cylinder and each of the dowels is comprised of oak to facilitate a chemical process to enhance the flavor and color of the alcohol. A light emitter is disposed inside of the cylinder to emit light into the alcohol when the cylinder is submerged into the alcohol. The light emitter emits light in the ultra-violet spectrum to increase the rate of chemical reaction between the alcohol and the dowels thereby speeding up the process of aging the alcohol.

A carbon dioxide and nitrogen infused wine product includes wine infused with both carbon dioxide and nitrogen. A ratio of carbon dioxide to nitrogen in the wine can be in a range of 80% CO.sub.2/20% N.sub.2-60% CO.sub.2/40% N.sub.2.

A beverage making machine may include a cartridge holder to hold a cartridge used to form a beverage. The cartridge holder may include a lower portion arranged to receive and hold the cartridge and a movable upper portion arranged to clamp the cartridge in place. The cartridge holder may be arranged to hold upper and lower compartments of the cartridge in spaces having a different pressure, e.g., an upper compartment of the cartridge may be held under relatively high pressure, and a lower compartment may be held in a space at ambient pressure. The cartridge holder may pierce upper and/or lower compartments of the cartridge to introduce activating fluid and/or receive carbonating gas from the upper compartment, and/or to introduced pressurized air into the lower compartment to force beverage medium to exit.

A system and method for providing a consumable liquid infused with gas from a liquid processor. The liquid processor may comprise a gas input port configured to receive the compressed gas. The liquid processor may further comprise a liquid input port configured to receive a consumable liquid. The liquid processor may further comprise a venturi injector configured to combine the compressed gas with the consumable liquid. The liquid processor may further comprise a static inline mixer including a plurality of mixing elements and configured to mix the combined consumable liquid with the compressed gas to form the consumable liquid infused with a compressed gas. The liquid processor may further comprise an output port configured to provide the consumable liquid infused with a compressed gas.

A beverage dispensing device and methods for dispensing beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a carbonation assembly, a carriage assembly, and one or more flavorant containers. The beverage dispensing device can also include a controller with a UI to allow a user to customize aspects of a beverage. These customizable aspects can include fluid volume, carbonation level, flavorant type, and/or flavorant amount. Based on the customized aspects of the beverage, the beverage dispensing device can dispense an amount of carbonated or uncarbonated water, and can dispense a type and amount of flavorant. Illustrative embodiments of flavorant containers are also provided.

A carbon dioxide regulator assembly for use in carbonating home brewed beer includes a first pressure gauge that includes a first gauge face. The first gauge face includes a first region having a first indicia indicating a carbonation pressure range of a first type of beer at a predefined temperature, a second region having a second indicia indicating a carbonation pressure range of a second type of beer at the predefined temperature, a third region having a third indicia indicating a carbonation pressure range of a third type of beer at the predefined temperature, and a fourth region having a fourth indicia indicating a carbonation pressure range of an over-carbonation condition at the predefined temperature. The first indicia, the second indicia, the third indicia, and the fourth indicia are each non-alpha-numeric.