Beer Forum

lolorene · #1 (**permalink**) 11-12-2005, 04:00 PM

i cannot seem to get the speed of the beer coming out of the dispenser to slow down and also it is nothing but foam. HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!

USMC - Retired · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2005, 04:36 PM

how long is your beer line? It needs to be at least five feet.

Semper Fi,
The Gunns

"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin

trip · #3 (**permalink**) 11-13-2005, 08:55 AM

I have a Haier kegerator and am having the same problem. The beer is coming out fast and too foamy even after 12hours of setting. I can fill a pitcher with foam and only end up with 1/4 of beer. Have tried 8-12psi running Miller Lite .5 keg. I did notice my keg is at 34-36 degrees. I'm attempting to raise the temperature, but am not sure this will help. This is my first 1/2 keg. In the past I've only had 1/4 kegs and all was well. I've inspected the coupler and lines and see no problems. I can see the bubbles in the line. Any ideas?

Stefan · #4 (**permalink**) 11-13-2005, 07:20 PM

The standard advice around here is to set temp to 38 by keeping a thermometer in a glass of water inside the fridge. Keep pressure set at 14. When you pour beer on top of foam, the foam just increases. At least that's my experience. Pour off the first bit of foam, then pour again.

Stefan

Scott Zuhse · #5 (**permalink**) 11-13-2005, 09:53 PM

Are we calibrating our thermometers and taking a liquid temperature? The main reason we recommend 38 degrees is because the gas in the beer is most stable and the most beer tastes best at this temperature. Miller lite has 2.6 vols of CO2 and to attempt to maintain this recipe of carbonation as well as to prevent dispensing issues from the keg to the faucet, pressurize the keg with 14 PSIG.

This works fine, unless we are aliens and have supernatural powers which allow us to overcome physics, thus the laws of gasses.[}

]

llorene, please give us as many specifics as possible - temp., altitude, type of beer, inside diameter and length of line, etc. We are certain we can help.[8D]

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

trip · #6 (**permalink**) 11-16-2005, 11:16 PM

Ok, I'm at 38 degrees (liquid temp)and driving with 14 psi. Same problem foam is shooting at high pressures right out of my glass. I've disassemble everything cleaned the lines. Tried bleeding the C02 from the keg and gently raising it to the prescribed level and no change noted. As pointed out before, no problems when using 1/4 kegs. This is getting frustrating and expensive after days of failed attempts. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. I should add I do not believe the problem is at the faucet. Bubbles in my lines being created by the quick surge from my keg appear to be part of the problem. Thanks

Scott Zuhse · #7 (**permalink**) 11-17-2005, 09:24 PM

Trip,

Before we tear this system apart, check the valve on top of the keg to be certain that the raised center ring is not damaged. Use a paper towel to absorb the beer from the valve and use a flashlight to evaluate. If this damaged, the pressure bypasses the keg and is driven into the beer as it comes out of the keg.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

trip · #8 (**permalink**) 11-17-2005, 09:57 PM

Scott,
I inspected the ring as you said and have found a 1/4 crater like tear in the o-ring surrounding the steel ball on the keg. I plan to return the keg tomorrow and will let you know how it all turns out. Thanks

Scott Zuhse · #9 (**permalink**) 11-18-2005, 08:49 PM

This is not uncommon, unfortunately.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

trip · #10 (**permalink**) 11-19-2005, 08:10 PM

They gave me another keg, I ensured the ring was good before I left the store this time. Placed it in the frig last night and tapped today. Beer is flowing very smooth and I'm one happy camper. I was pulling out my hair prior to and was about to abandon keg dispensing all together. Thanks again Scott, you're the man!

Trip