Sazka Arena

Distribution of Beer in Sazka Arena

Implementation: 2004

Compared with other sports arenas in the world The Sazka Sports Arena is very exceptional and unique. One of the most unique aspects of this project is the automation system which enables the distribution of beer throughout the entire arena. This beer distribution technology is also known as the "Pivovod" (Beer Pipeline). This beer distribution system has been introduced for the first time here in the Sazka Arena, Prague, Czech Republic and was initially used during the World Hockey Championship in 2004. Since the Czech Republic is most famous for it’s beer throughout the world, it is natural that this system was developed here.

In order to provide great service, eliminate the time the customers spend in line, and to sell large quantities of beer in a short period of time, the management of the Sazka Arena asked for a seamless and effective distribution of two types of beer to all of the restaurants and vendors located in the stadium. Based on this request the "Pivovod" was developed.

The "Pivovod" not only includes beer tanks (4x70 hl and 6x10hl), 4 km of anti rust pipes , 84 hi flow pumps, 168 beer taps, but the following components also play a crucial role: a unique information system which creates 2 full main frames of programmable logical controller Siemens Simatic S7-400, 2 connected visual panels - ProFace and PC, that manage the beer distribution system with visualization, Wonderware InTouch, and data archive with the help of an IndustrialSQL Server.

The programmable logical controller Siemens processes technological data and assures the smooth operation of the system while monitoring and regulating the information and safety functions that are crucial to the income, distribution and sanitation of beer.

With the help of operator touchscreen panels, ProFace, the staff controls and gives parameter commands for the distribution of beer. The whole process of the beer distribution is visible on the control panels which also include warning and emergency signals.

The PC manager of the "Pivovod" shows the actual state of the operation (Wonderware InTouch) and archives all data, including the quantity of beer distributed to individual vendors (beer taps). All this data is stored on the Wonderware IndustrialSQL Server. This data is available to the clients via the Intranet.

This system was used for the first time during the Hockey World Championship in 2004 and it enabled for distribution of 1,660 hl of Staropramen beer. Without the use of this system it would be impossible to produce such a high quantity of beer in such a short period of time. In a 15 minute break during the hockey match the unique technology of the "Pivovod" enabled a distribution of 1,000 cold beers with a standard foam per minute, i.e. more than 10,000 customers could drink their beers during the break. Thanks to this unique technology of the "Pivovod" 1,660 hl of beer was produced to the customers throughout the championship, a volume that would be impossible to distribute with the standard use of a KEG system