Quote:
Originally Posted by silversurfer513
Thanks for the replies guys. I talked to a fellow kegerator owner here in Cincy and he said and I quote "your best glass of beer is the first one" and that I shouldnt expect it to taste and pour the same to the end. Im not sure Im on board with that, surely Im missing something here. By all means please chime in and educate me!
Anyone not familiar with Cincinnati should check out the Mt. Carmel Brewing company here locally. Mike is making great brews that I hope will break out into the midwest and beyond. Currently they only bottle growlers and are selling 1/2 barrels.
|
No way am I on board with that statement. That is a statement I would expect from someone who has never taken the time or interest in getting their system properly balanced, as you are doing. Balancing a home draft system isn't rocket science. I can assure you that I've had plenty of 1/2 barrels and 1/6 barrels that have poured perfect beers down to the very last one.
quick education - FORGET THE GUESSWORK. The settings you need for your beer are already known by the people who make the beer.
1) You MUST know the liquid temperature of your beer. Get a digital food thermometer from grocery store/target/walmart/etc. They're around 10 or maybe 15 bucks. To get the temp of your beer, you need to pour two consecutive glasses. Chug the first one or give to a friend, pour a second glass and take the temp of that as soon as you get it in the glass.
2) e-mail/call the brewer(y) for whatever beer you're getting, and ask them what temperature and pressure you should set the beer at for your altitude above sea level. Everyone I have e-mailed has been quite responsive and helpful. You should also ask them for the carbonation level of the beer. If you know the carbonation level of the beer, you can calculate the temp and psi easily (there's a table around this site somewhere). If you desire the beer colder than they recommend, than just adjust down 1psi per 2 degree temperature drop.
Once you have the correct temperature and psi setting, your beer should pour great from the first to the last.