N/CO2 on all beers???

[rrgrantham]

I was at the local watering hole yesterday, and on the wall, it stated that they use the Nitrogen/CO2 gas on all beers - they have some 60 beers on draught. The bartender confirmed that they use this mixture. So, makes me wonder if I should use the same mixture, regardless of which beer I buy for my kegerator. Any thoughts?

[TAPMAN]

You need a Nitrogen/CO2 blend when your applied pressure exceeds the CO2 pressure needed to maintain the carbonation level of the beer. An example is when a long draw system needs 20 lbs of pressure to push the beer to the faucet.If you used straight CO2, you would overcarbonate the beer. Anything above 14 lbs @38 deg.(depending on altitude) will overcarbonate you beer. Tapman

[Scott Zuhse]

Based on the PSIG to the keg (20 - 25 is common) for ales and lagers, a 60% CO2 / 40% Nitrogen is ideal. The higher the pressure, the lower the ratio of CO2.

For nitrogenated products, 25% CO2 / 75% Nitrogen.

100% CO2 use for ales and lagers is based on the temperature of the product, carbonation levels and elevation. This locks in the PSIG and can not be adjusted for long remote systems or temperature fluctuations.

Blends can. The trick is to use a ratio that maintains carbonation levels as close as possible the life of the keg. 60/40 accomplishes this.