Foam for 2 seconds and flat beer

[Detroit808]

I recently used the Micromatic Portable CO2 Dispensing System with a 1/2 barrel of Miller Lite and was getting foamy beer for about 2 seconds before a clear pour could be seen. If you didn't wait for the 2 seconds before filling your glass you would get almost 2/3 foam in a pint. Also, the beer was very cold but seemed a little flat, and the pour rate was very fast despite adjusting my regulator. I did some research and I'm wondering if the 12" shaft assembly for this portable system is just too short. I know a longer beer line would allow the gas and beer to mix better, as well as slow down the flow rate. Is this a typical problem with the Micromatic system? If this is the case, could I connect a party pump-style beer line with plastic faucet (Micromatic BL-4) and ditch the shaft/faucet that came with this system?

[Scott Zuhse]

What was the pressure setting on your regulator and how was the keg kept cold? Also, beer and CO2 do not mix in the line.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[Detroit808]

I tried almost all possible pressure settings. Started with 14 psi for about 10 servings, 12 psi for 10 servings, then settled on around 9 psi, because there was just too much foam at anything higher. (Maybe the low psi explains why it was flat?) The keg was in an insulator bag and filled to the top with ice at all times. Also, the keg was picked up that day, with over 6 hours to settle. The root of my foam problem seems to be the extremely fast pour rate. Would either of those 2' or 4' picnic faucets help? I can't find the answer anywhere and I'm ready to just buy one of each and experiment for myself. Will the plastic faucet be able to handle the CO2 pressure? Thanks again for any help!

[topgun3208]

dont worry bout psi, party up and see what happens. just got tired of seeing that same ol post.

"So many great beers, so little time, and only one liver" Mark

[Scott Zuhse]

Regarding the portable dispenser you purchased, is this the system you are referring to?

[DeltaNu1142]

...getting foamy beer for about 2 seconds before a clear pour could be seen. If you didn't wait for the 2 seconds before filling your glass you would get almost 2/3 foam in a pint...

I'm getting exactly the same problem with a kegerator conversion, & found this thread searching for an answer... I've got a corney keg on a 5' beer line, 3-and-some-odd-inch shank going to a door dispenser. 38 deg F on a calibrated thermometer, 13 - 13.5 psi on the regulator.

My keg is mounted high in relation to the faucet; the faucet is about 10" above the top of the keg. My pours fill half a pint glass with foam, & the rest is clear beer. Pitcher pours are about the same, 50% foam, 50% beer. I think I've got the pouring method down, I've poured a lot of beer... The 5' of beer line isn't exactly straight to the faucet, but I've tried to eliminate traps and move the beer line around & it doesn't seem to have any effect.

P.S., the beer is Sam Adams Boston Lager. I prefer it a bit colder than 38, but as of yet the fridge hasn't gotten much colder. (settings 1 - 5, highest being coldest, 3.5 - 5 results in 38 deg F).