air-bubbles in beer line

[going-strong]

taped a 1/2 barrel of labatt blue light. It is pouring very very foamy. i noticed that there are tiny little air bubbles that are constintly coming out of the keg and gathering in the beer line, im almost certain that is what is causing all of my foam problems. What do i need to do to stop those air bubbles? or are those normal?

thanks

[Scott Zuhse]

Did you allow your keg to acclimate to the kegerator? What is your keg beer temperature? What is your pressure? Hate to answer a question with a questions but we need to know what is going on before we can help.

[going-strong]

Originally Posted by Scott Zuhse

Did you allow your keg to acclimate to the kegerator? What is your keg beer temperature? What is your pressure? Hate to answer a question with a questions but we need to know what is going on before we can help.

i put the keg in the kegerator and then it sat for about 1.5 hours before i attempted to pour. The temp. is 38 degrees F. my Co2 pressure is 10 psi. The beer is labatt blue light

[monkey710]

Don't know the exact pressure for Labatt Blue, but I would expect that 10 psi is too low. That would explain both issues. Unless someone lets us know the proper pressure I would try 12 psi and then 14 psi at 38 degrees. It should fix at one of those two pressures.

[Scott Zuhse]

Labatts Blue is approx. a 2.5 v/v beer and would require 13 PSIG @ 38 F. Inspect the seal on top of the keg for any damage. This would be the inner raised ring surrounding the stainless ball.

If it has as tear or cut or gouge, the pressure will bypass the keg and pass directly into the beer stream as it is attempting to exit the keg. There is a quick temporary fix. Let us know.

[going-strong]

Originally Posted by Scott Zuhse

Labatts Blue is approx. a 2.5 v/v beer and would require 13 PSIG @ 38 F. Inspect the seal on top of the keg for any damage. This would be the inner raised ring surrounding the stainless ball.

If it has as tear or cut or gouge, the pressure will bypass the keg and pass directly into the beer stream as it is attempting to exit the keg. There is a quick temporary fix. Let us know.

well the air bubbles quit, i am now at 11 psi at 38 F and the thing is still shooting out nice and healthy, im afread if i raise it up to 13 psi, it will be shooting too hard. can i leave it at 11 psi or should i change something else so i can raise it to 13 psi?


newbie question, you mentioned that labatts blue is a 2.5 v/v beer, what does "v/v" mean?

[Scott Zuhse]

CO2 gas is part of the beer such that brewers consider it to have a flavor characteristic. Most breweries have a specification in volumes (v/v) of how much of the CO2 gas should be in their beer.

Since we learned in science class that when a gas is heated, it will expand and conversely, contract when chilled. The CO2 in beer will do the same with temperature fluctuations. Temperature trumps all and it does not lie!

The goal is to determine what your beer temperature is (38 F is most stable for the gas) and apply the correct PSIG (pounds per square inch gauge) against the keg to maintain this recipe of gas specified by the brewer as close as possible.

If the recipe changes, two things will happen. The actually quality of the beer will be changed and you will have foam - either sooner or later.

So, the bottom line is dial in 38 F using a calibrated thermometer and set your pressure at 13 PSIG for a 2.5 v/v beer. If this does not eliminate the problem, you either do not have 38 F or some other issue is at hand. Stop adjusting your pressure and keep looking for other issues. Keep posting potential problems and you will probably find an answer.