<p>Directly not. Agitation won't change the properties of the beer enough as such. BUT... when pumping, it is harder to avoid oxygen/air being mixed into the wort/beer. Oxygen is very bad for the beer in most stages of the brewing process. So if you have a pumping system, it needs to be a good one that doesn't wirl air into the wort/beer.</p>

<p>The only stage in the brewing process where you actually want as much oxygen/air as possible is when pitching the yeast. At every other stage you will get oxidation which is one of the top reasons for off flavours, stuck fermentations, etc.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-27T16:17:06.477Z
2014-02-27T16:17:06.477Z
markus
<p>I visited the UK's oldest licensed brewery, <a href="http://www.threetunsbrewery.co.uk/history" rel="noreferrer">the Three Tuns</a>, in Shropshire, which has been licenced since 1642. One of its key features is that all transfers can be carried out using gravity:</p>
<ul>
<li>all raw materials are brought to the top of the tower, and then each movement of materials or fluids is carried out using gravity - not pumps</li>
</ul>
<p>My question is: does this provide a difference in flavour, texture or other qualities to beers from those breweries that use pumps? I can imagine it might, as pumps cause agitation that won't exist in a simple pipe letting liquid flow downhill.</p>
<p>(additional information: the Three Tuns is well worth a visit - all the beers on show that day were delicious)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-20T00:04:51.703Z
As you say - pumps cause agitation that gravity fed kits wont. Is that going be enough to taste? I don't think so...
scrowler
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-25T18:08:40.833Z
less tubing etc to have to worry about cleaning as well I'd imagine.
Bill Rawlinson
<breweries>
Is there a taste or texture difference between gravity breweries and those that use pumps?
Rory Alsop
# Is there a taste or texture difference between gravity breweries and those that use pumps?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-19)

I visited the UK's oldest licensed brewery, [the Three Tuns](http://www.threetunsbrewery.co.uk/history), in Shropshire, which has been licenced since 1642. One of its key features is that all transfers can be carried out using gravity:

* all raw materials are brought to the top of the tower, and then each movement of materials or fluids is carried out using gravity - not pumps

My question is: does this provide a difference in flavour, texture or other qualities to beers from those breweries that use pumps? I can imagine it might, as pumps cause agitation that won't exist in a simple pipe letting liquid flow downhill.

(additional information: the Three Tuns is well worth a visit - all the beers on show that day were delicious)

**Tags:** breweries

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: As you say - pumps cause agitation that gravity fed kits wont. Is that going be enough to taste? I don't think so...  
> **username_2**: less tubing etc to have to worry about cleaning as well I'd imagine.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-02-27. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Directly not. Agitation won't change the properties of the beer enough as such. BUT... when pumping, it is harder to avoid oxygen/air being mixed into the wort/beer. Oxygen is very bad for the beer in most stages of the brewing process. So if you have a pumping system, it needs to be a good one that doesn't wirl air into the wort/beer.

The only stage in the brewing process where you actually want as much oxygen/air as possible is when pitching the yeast. At every other stage you will get oxidation which is one of the top reasons for off flavours, stuck fermentations, etc.


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