How we deal with too much foam.

Tapping a keg of beer is a relatively simple thing to do. But before you’re ready to tap the keg, there are a few things you’ll need to do first…

If your keg fridge has just undergone the stress of being transported or laid on its side it will need to sit upright for an hour before you plug it in. After an hour you can plug in the fridge. You can put the keg in the fridge and tap it BEFkeg taping co2ORE the fridge is plugged in, just know that you will need to let it chill for a minimum 4 hours inside the fridge before you are ready to pour any beer. (That’s 1 hour fridge unplugged & 4 hours Chilling the keg = a 5 hour minimum set up time before you can pour any beer.)

Likewise if your keg of beer has just undergone significant jostling (like in a vehicle), it will need to sit for 2 to 3 hours before you tap it. Tapping a keg that has been shaken will result in foamy beer. The more you move the keg the more the beer gets agitated. When Beer is agitated it will release the CO2 from the beer and increase the pressure in the keg or worse release the CO2 while you are pouring your beer. Either way both of these will cause foamy beer. TIP: To speed up the “SETTLING PROCESS” of your keg you can do three things to help;

  1. Get the beer cold as fast as possible and keep it cold until you want to pour.
  2. “Pressure Neutralizing your Keg” (see below) while you are letting it settle. DO NOT add any CO2 until you are ready to pour the beer.
  3. DO NOT MOVE YOUR KEG!!!!!!!!!!

keg tapping keg frdidges 2Attach the Regulator to the CO2 tank and tighten with a wrench. Open valve on the top of tank and please ensure that you turn the regulators “Shut Off” valve located below the Dials attached to the CO2 Hose to the “ON” position which is parallel with the hose, this will pressurize the system.  With the system pressurized listen for leaks (a HISSING Sound). The other way to check for leaks is to close the tank valve on the CO2 and see if the pressure drops on the regulator gauges.

Now you will need to connect the “Coupler” to the keg. Line up the two notches on the keg with the two indentations on the bottom of the Coupler. Then, push down, and rotate the tap clockwise a half a turn or until Snug. Then Pull the “Lever” on the “Coupler” out away from the Coupler and down to engage. The “Lever” should lock into place. This will open the beer line and CO2 ports in the keg. The keg is now tapped!

Please Note That ALL Our Regulators on our equipment are pre-set to the correct pressure for dispensing beer. If you prefer to set your own pressure first you must release all the pressure in the keg. See Pressure Neutralizing your keg section below.

We set our regulators to 10 PSI; the range for beer in a keggorator is 6 to 12 PSI depending on what beer you are pouring. The rule of Thumb is; the Darker the beer the lower the PSI, the lighter the higher the PSI. You should NOT have to go above 12 PSI, unless you are pouring a Wheat Beer or your beer has gone flat. (See above YOUTUBE video: “What CO2 pressure on a draft beer”- Tavern Service)coupler 2

Pressure Neutralizing your keg

Start by turning the “Shut Off” valve at the base of the Regulator to the OFF position (perpendicular to the hose). You then must pull the “Pressure Release” valve on the side of the Keg Coupler. You are looking for something that looks like a key ring attached to a small pin. Pull this ring until you hear the hissing stop, this means that all the CO2 is now out of the keg. Next step on the regulator there will be a set screw which is attached to the diaphragm that regulates the output pressure, back it off counter clockwise to reduce that output pressure. Now you will add the CO2 from the Tank provided, you do this by turning the “Shut Off” valve at the base of the Regulator to the ON position (parallel with the hose). We recommend that you start low with between 5-7PSI and test it by pouring a small amount of beer in a small glass. If it pours too slow or without enough head for your liking you can up the output pressure by turning the set screw clockwise to add pressure. Note: The average pressure for a short draw system like a keg fridge is 8-10 PSI.

A FEW WORDS OF WISDOM:

  • The first few beers that you draw from the keg will probably be foamy. Just set them down and let them settle.coupler
  • When pouring beer into a glass, tilt the glass at a 45 degree angle and pour down the side of the glass. This will prevent any excessively large head from forming.
  • ALWAYS open faucet all the way, never open half way.
  • DO NOT let your beer line touch the back wall of the fridge. It will freeze your beer line.
  • Use the 1, 2, 3, method when you pour your beer to reduce Foaming. (see above YOUTUBE video: “Foam in a keggorator”- Tavern Service)
Co2 pressure settings for your keg.