Temp Problems leading to Foam Problems

[benw54]

I have a converted side-by-side holding a 1/2 barrel of a local microbrew from Carolina Beer Company. It is a brown ale.

My problem is my inability to keep my temp at 38 for the beer. Even at higher temp settings, the reading on a second pour is closer to 32 on a calibrated thermometer. I have been keeping my co2 pressure at about 13 psig for fear of the keg going flat. I think this is overcarbonating my beer but need some more informed opinions.

At these settings I am getting mostly foam, maybe the second pour is 1/4 beer. Most times the foam is still forming in the glass after the pour, accumulating on the bottom of the head. I think my keg is overcarbonated because of my pressure and temp. Is this correct?

My next question would be if it is alright to keep the beer this cold with less pressure on it or if that will cause problems in the future? I recently bled off pressure at the coupler for a couple of seconds and poured at 8 psig which was actually a good pour but then didn't have enough head surprisingly. This was at 32F beer temp.

What is my best course of action? Can I safely turn down co2 to 10psig and go? Do I need to get some sort of temp regulator for the fridge? Do I need a fan circulating air in my fridge?

My cup of water is consistently frozen when near the bottom of my keg, when at the top it the block will start to thaw out but still reads pretty close to freezing.

[psychodad]

At that temperature and pressure you are very likely overcabonating the beer just as you suspected. 8 psi should maintain 2.5 volumes of co2 give or take at 32 degrees. Get your low temperature issue fixed though. I'm suspecting you need more air movement in the side by side, but that is just a hunch.

I love brown ales and prefer them much warmer in the 43 to 45 degree range. Don't be afraid of not sticking to this 38 degree rule.

[benw54]

thanks for the information psychodad. now my next question is what i need to do to bring carbonation back to equilibrium. do i need to set the psi down to 8 and just wait or do i need to somehow release the carb otherwise? I know you suggested to fix my temp which i plan on doing, but for now it is not going to be possible so i'd like to salvage my keg at this temp for as long as i can.

Thanks.

[psychodad]

If you lower it to 8 psi and dispense at that pressure, it should eventually get rid of the excess co2 in a few days depending on how much and how often you dispense. If you turn the co2 off, relieve the pressure, shake some co2 out of solution, it will take less time.

There is no way I know of to estimate how much of either one will work.