Glycol-Cooled Beer
Dispensing Systems
Micro Matic glycol-cooled remote beer dispensing systems can deliver draft beer long distances (up to 750 feet or more). The systems are reliable, serve a great tasting beer, and reduce the cost, headaches, and waste usually associated with long draw beer dispensing. This is one of the most popular draft beer systems and is an excellent choice for any long-draw dispensing setup due to its ability to maintain the cooler temperature and deliver cold beer at long distances. In a glycol-cooled remote beer system, the beer in the keg is kept cold by the cold air in the walk-in cooler. The beer in the beer lines, beer tower, and faucets are kept cold by the continual flow of glycol through the coolant lines designed to take the cold temperature of draft beer from the walk-in cooler and transport it to the dispensing tower at a consistent temperature.
Purpose
1. Provide an overview of a Micro Matic glycol-cooled beer dispensing system.
2. Explain the features, functionality, and benefits of purchasing and installing this type of beer system.
What is a Glycol-Cooled Beer Dispensing System?
A glycol-cooled beer dispensing system consists of a glycol cooler (also known as a power pack), a refrigeration unit that cools a reservoir containing a blend of food-grade antifreeze (propylene glycol) and water. Pumps located on the power pack circulate the glycol mixture in polyethylene tubing alongside the patented Barriermaster™ Flavourlock tubing beer lines.
- The beer and coolant lines are wrapped with a plastic moisture barrier and a foil wrap to transfer cooling. These lines are all encased in a moisture-proof barrier jacket and are referred to as a trunkline.
- The power pack maintains the beer's temperature from the keg to the beer tower, a Kool-Rite® beer tower specially designed and built by Micro Matic to transfer cooling to the beer faucet(s) efficiently.
Glycol-cooled beer dispensing systems are becoming increasingly common with the popularity and necessity of dispensing draft beer remotely. These systems can dispense beer up to 750 feet or more from a facility's kitchen or basement area to one or more tower/bar locations.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Pro-Line™ Power Packs (Glycol Cooler)
The power pack refrigerates a propylene glycol and water mixture in a reservoir to between 29° to 32° F. This is called a swing or differential. The power pack turns off when the temperature reaches 29° F and turns back on at 32° F. The bath mixture should result in an approximate - 5° F freezing point. The amount of glycol adjusts the freezing point in proportion to the amount of water. The power pack’s pump constantly circulates the antifreeze mixture through the beer system.
Micro Matic Power Pack Technical Features:
- Utilizes 134a refrigerant.
- Utilizes gear pumps that have a longer life span than vane pumps.
- Anti-vibration pads reduce motor noise.
- UL and NSF approved.
- Selection of models available that can handle short runs all the way to 750 feet with a single unit.
Dispense Towers with Kool-Rite™ Technology
The dispense (beer) tower is the bar's focal point and is where the Bartender dispenses the beer into a glass or pitcher. The tower must be built to take the rigors of busy nights and be designed to keep the faucets and the beer in the tower cold.
All Kool-Rite™ towers come complete with stainless steel faucets, shanks barbs, and choke lines. The integrated Kool-Rite™ module provides optimum cooling at the point of dispensing. The module construction makes the installation process as simple as plug “n" pour.
Kool-Rite™ Technical Features:
- Patented Double “D" cold blocks, locks the faucets in place, preventing rotation.
- Leakproof stainless steel shank screws directly into the cold block; double o-rings prevent leaks.
- Copper coolant lines have direct contact with a cold block held in place with secure tabs to ensure optimum cooling transfer.
- Utilizes stainless steel tubing to maintain the best product purity.
- Utilizes a triple-layer insulation system to ensure the proper temperature is maintained.
- Available in a variety of designs.
- Available in a variety of materials, including polished stainless steel, tarnish-free PVD brass finish, or custom Kool-Rite™ modules.
- NSF approved.
- Includes stainless steel faucets.
Trunklines
The trunkline is a larger insulated line that holds both the beer and coolant lines. The trunkline sustains temperature while the beer is being transferred from the walk-in cooler to the draft tower. Trunklines are available in many configurations of beer and coolant line combinations and are available at any length required.
Micro Matic Trunkline Technical Features:
- Barriermaster Flavourlock™ tubing with ultra-smooth inner layer lining to help prevent yeast and bacteria growth.
- 5/16" I.D. tubing only holds ½ ounce per foot and reduces beer loss during line cleaning by 25%.
- Moisture barrier wrap helps to prevent condensation from compromising the integrity of the insulation.
- Foil wrap acts as an additional thermal barrier, enhancing cold transfer from glycol lines to beer lines.
- 3/4" closed cell foam insulation helps to prevent hot spots.
- The Black Diamond® Barrier Jacket has a low friction finish, which offers greater flexibility, easy installation coupled with greater flexibility, and a tear-resistant shell.
- Available in 1/4", 3/8", 5/16" I.D., from 2 to 24 beer lines.
Gas Blenders
A device used to mix CO2 and nitrogen gases to push the beer from the keg without over or under carbonating the beer in the keg. Gas blenders are recommended for high volume accounts and accounts where temperature fluctuations are common, and there is a need for a high amount of pressure to push the beer from the keg to the faucet.
Proven Benefits of Installing a Gas Blender:
- Save money by not buying expensive premixed, low-yield cylinders.
- Save labor by not changing cylinders.
- Increase profits by serving a consistently perfect pint. Micro Matic gas blenders technical features: Easy installation, a factory setting prevents unwanted tampering, accurate gas blends within 2%, and blending operation shuts down when gas cylinders are empty.
FOBs or profit maximizers
Foam On Beer detectors (FOBs) are used to eliminate foam in the beer lines after the keg is empty. Installing a FOB for each beer line will help reduce your pour cost and minimize downtime when changing kegs. Wall mount FOBs are a must for all long draw beer systems!
Proven Benefits of Installing FOBs:
- Keeps beer lines full when the keg empties reduces waste from foaming during keg changes (1/2 ounce/foot X 85 feet = 42.5 ounces saved each keg change).
- FOBs pay for themselves in only 6 kegs.
Micro Matic FOB Technical Features:
- Stainless steel construction for durability and draft beer quality.
- Spring load bleeder valve prevents accidental leakage of the product.
Secondary Regulator Panels
Depending on the brand or type of beer, each keg requires its own specific pressure. Micro Matic secondary regulators reduce the pressure from the gas blender to match the needs of each keg. The regulators are pre-mounted on panels with beer hoses and gas hoses connected for easy installation.
Micro Matic Secondary Regulator Panel Features:
- Stainless steel wall brackets and tailpieces.
- Individual regulators control the applied pressure to each keg.
- Enlarged CO2 port for high volume dispensing.
- Flow control inlet nipple filter.
CO2 Gas Filters
A CO2 purifier is another important component of the system because it removes contaminants commonly found in CO2 gas that can cause the beer to smell or taste bad! The largest Brewer in the USA now requires a CO2 filter to be installed on all draft beer systems dispensing their product.
Raise a Glass to Draft Beer Sales!
For over 60 years, Micro Matic has been recognized as one of the world’s leading suppliers of draft beer equipment. Specializing in keg-to-glass technology, we offer a total solution for meeting your draft beer equipment needs. Our dedication to customer service is supported by four regional sales and distribution centers, the Micro Matic Dispense Institute for training and education, and a Certified Installer Network for draft beer installations. Want to speak with a “perfect pour” expert? Contact Micro Matic today.