OMG Becky, look at their beer! It is the worst feeling when you go to pour a draft beer, and you wind up with a glass that’s all foam or has no foam at all? Or maybe something seems off when you go for that first sip.
Luckily, the most common issues with your Kegerator or draft beer system, including foamy, flat, or cloudy beer, are easy to diagnose and troubleshoot. As a rule of thumb, remember that the vast majority of issues can be traced back to one of a few things: temperature too warm or cold, improper pressure, dirty lines or as Bugs Bunny would say you’re a maroon and don’t know how to pour a beer.
Why do I have foamy beer?
Instead of being mostly liquid with just the right amount of creamy head on top, because every guys likes a little head. The glass is filled with wasteful foam. Here’s what might be wrong:
Temperature is too warm or cold
Make sure the temperature in the refrigeration unit that holds your kegs is ideally, between 34ºF and 35ºF. If you’re not cool and have a digital thermostat, use a cup of water and put it at the bottom of the kegerator and if you don’t have a meat thermometer go and buy one, put it in the cup and dial in 34-35. Please don’t think you can become a Twin Peaks and get your beer at 29 degrees. Water freezes at 32 no matter where you are at in the WORLD!
CO2 pressure is too high/low (you should be between 5 and 12)
Dirty faucets and lines.
You should clean them after every keg and yes the Keg King offers the kits and service. So no excuses!
Beer was poured improperly
Yes, we have all seen the bartenders at the bar open the tap, let some drain out and then put the cup under. Don’t be that person that half way pulls the tap open or puts the cup under without letting some pour out first. UNLESS you are using it right away and pouring yourself another and double fisting.
Why do I have flat beer?
At its best, beer has a certain effervescence that helps enhance the drinking experience. In many ways, flat beer is the inverse problem of beer that is too foamy (or over-carbonated). If your beer is coming out flat, here are some potential problems to address:
Temperature is too cold
Raise the temperature in the refrigeration unit that holds your kegs, ideally between 34º and 35ºF).
CO2 pressure is too low
Adjust your regulator to raise the CO2 pressure between 5 to 12
Glasses are not beer clean
Grease is the enemy of carbonation. Ensure your glasses are “beer clean,” and rinse with cold water before pouring.
You can also put your regulator up to 30+ psi and give it a few hours to carbonate it.
Why is my beer cloudy?
Cloudy or hazy beer is unattractive and off-putting unless it’s a hazy ipa. Here are some reasons why:
The temperature is not remaining steady
Check your refrigeration unit to ensure your keg isn’t exposed to alternating warm and cool temperatures. Never let your keg get above 45ºF.
Dirty beer lines
For best results, you should clean your beer lines between every new keg.
Old beer
Beer doesn’t stay good forever. It lasts about 3 to 4 months depending on the beer. Darker beers, like Belgium beer, Porters and Stouts or high abv beers will last much longer