Beer Forum

A.Y.Beer · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2009, 05:56 PM

I have a bar with six taps, and it seems only one keg wants to foam more than the others. It is yuengling. The set up is about 8 feet from the Co2 tank and then the 1/4 beer line runs back about another 8 feet through the wall where it is not insulated anymore. The cooler temperature is good, but I am still getting a lot of foam. The Co2 tank is set right around 10psi, and the faucets are on an up hill draw of about 3 feet above the keg. I have always thought it was overpressured in the keg, but I think it is much more than that. My shank is 1/8", I don't know exactly how long, and the faucets are about 50 to 58 inches off the floor. What can I do to fix this problem? Any parts and suggestions?

Scott Zuhse · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2009, 08:05 PM

Are you implying that all of the products foam but Yuengling more so than the others? Let's see if we can figure out what is going on. First, "good" does not assist in any way in troubleshooting draught beer. We need to know exactly what the temperature of the beer is in the kegs.

Since you are describing a relatively short system, use a calibrated thermometer and take the temperature of the second pour in the same glass. Simply dump the first pour as you need to acclimate the glass. This should be the temperature of the beer in the keg.

Second, what pressures (PSIG) are you using against the kegs? If you reside at sea level and your beer temperature is 38F, you should be using 14 PSIG for the Yuengling. Your other beers may be similar. What other brands are you dispensing? If your temperature is not 38F, adjust PSIG one pound for every two degree difference form 38F. Up for warmer, down for colder. Have you checked your system for pressure leaks?

Third, if your kegs share the same wall as the faucets (direct draw), you normally should be using approx. five feet of 3/16" inside diameter line. Shorter for faster flow and longer for slower. 1/4"

Last (for now) is your system clean? A system that is not maintained on a regular basis will cause issues.

This should be a good start for you. Get back to us with more particulars and we should be able to reduce your pour cost. Possibly increase your resale.