1st time tapping keg w/ co2. No kegerator

[J1284]

Hello, I am new to this. Not new to drinking beer or using a keg, but New to hooking up a co2 tank. I just completed a home bar, complete with draft tap, co2 tank, all lines, hoses, etc. I do NOT have a refrigeration unit yet, but I am having a party this weekend in which I will be using a keg. Here is my question. Right now the keg is sitting in my garage getting cold. It averages around 35 degrees or so. When I bring it inside, what pressure should I set the co2 tank to and is there anything I need to know before I do this. The keg will only last the evening, so long term use with it is not important. Thanks!!!

[lunkhead]

Depends on the type of beer and are you going to try and keep the beer cold or let the temp rise. Most standard lagers at 35f beer temp need about 12 psi. As the beer warms up you'll need to increase the pressure to keep the beer from foaming as the co2 will start to breakout.

[J1284]

Using a 1/2 keg of Labatt blue light. Temp in my basement is around 69-71 degrees

[lunkhead]

Than I'll stay with my second post. Another thing to keep in mind, the beer line. 5ft of 3/16" id line at 35 degree beer temp @12 psi will give the proper flow. But as the beer warms up and you increase the pressure to keep the foam down the beer flow will increase which may make foam

[jlopez77]

You could put it on ice too.

[bard]

Since you don't plan on keeping it more than the one night, don't worry about the proper settings. Run it as high as you can that doesn't cause excessive foaming. Your main concern for the party is filling a glass as fast as possible without creating excessive foam. Running it too high will create foam, running it too low will do nothing to the quality of the beer througout the night. I'd start ~8psi and go from there.

[cubby_swans]

Originally Posted by bard

Since you don't plan on keeping it more than the one night, don't worry about the proper settings. Run it as high as you can that doesn't cause excessive foaming. Your main concern for the party is filling a glass as fast as possible without creating excessive foam. Running it too high will create foam, running it too low will do nothing to the quality of the beer througout the night. I'd start ~8psi and go from there.

Agreed.

you're really not going to have to worry about pressure if you're killing the keg in one night. Beer goes flat or gets overcarbonated over time. You just need enough pressure to dispense the beer. The beer will probably be flowing often enough that you don't have to worry about co2 breaking out of the beer in the line. 8psi is probably a good place to start.

Down the road when you get a refrigeration unit and will be keeping a keg for days or weeks, you need to be concerned with applying the correct pressure.