Quote:
Originally Posted by cubby_swans
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.
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Thanks cubby, this is in line with what I was thinking. Just got off the phone with Dogfish and they gave me a PSI range of 5-9 and no real guide on temp.
So forgiving my ignorance, as the temp varies so should PSI? For example if the beer temp is 45 and ideal would be 38 then I should RAISE my pressure if Im reading your post correctly? Ive also gathered that I can control the flow also with choosing a different ID beer line and length? Im suspecting that if I raise pressure with the line I have I will get nothing but foam.