Draught Components and Troubleshooting Breakout

Ernie Jimenez – MillerCoors ernie.jimenez@millercoors.com Ken Smith – Boston Beer ken.smith@bostonbeer.com

Basic Draught Dispense System

All Draught Dispense Systems feature these Basic Components.

Kegs Features

•  Stainless Steel Construction

•  Single Hole accommodates Keg Valve & Down Tube

•  Sealed Environment for Cleaning, Filling and Dispensing

•  Tap Well (Barnes Neck) Models in Use in Trade:

- Spring Lock (newer) - Threaded (older)

Safety Warnings: •  Do Not Pressurize over 55 psi •  Empty Kegs have Residual Gas.

Keg Components

Keg Sizes & Capacities

!Gallons 5.23 7.75 7.75 13.3 15.5 Ounces 640 992 992 1,690 1,984

12 oz Cups 53.3 82.7 82.7 140.8 165.3

16 oz Pints 40 62 62 105.6 124

Height 23.3” 14.8 23.3 20.2” 23.3”

Diameter 9.25” 17” 11” 17” 17” Weight 55.5 lbs. 83.3 lbs. 81.1.lbs. 133 lbs. 161 lbs.

How a Keg Works How a Keg Valve Works

1.  Gas enters head space of keg through vents in down tube.

2.  Gas pushes down on beer. 3.  Gas pressure forces beer up through down tube

and out of keg. 4.  Gas fills empty head space as beer is vacated.

Warnings

•  Only qualified personnel with proper tools should remove and work on the down tube and valves.

•  Valve seals can be torn or leaking.

•  Kegs are brewery property.

•  Tag and return damaged kegs to brewery

•  Tampering with and modifying may void warranties and liabilities of keg owner.

Keg Couplers Keg Coupler Models

•  Name brand manufacturers include: American Beverage, Banner, Micromatic, Perlick and Tap Rite.

•  Stainless steel or plated brass construction.

•  Check ball in probe prevents beer from flowing backward into the keg.

•  Check valve in gas inlet prevents beer from backing up into CO2 gas line.

•  Safety relief spring set at 55 psi.

!

Sankey D

•  U.S. Kegs

Sankey S

•  Euro Kegs

Tapping a Keg

Tapping a Keg

•  The tap is aligned with the keg outlet and turned clockwise ¼ turn to secure it to the keg.

•  The handle is pulled out, depressed downward and then released into the locking position.

•  This couples the tap with the keg down tube and opens the valves to the CO2 line and the beer line.

Beer Line

Two Functions of Beer Line:

• Transports beer from keg to faucet.

• Controls flow rate of the beer. “Brewery Approved” Beer Line Features:

• Material FDA approved for beverage contact.

• Constructed of several plastic compounds and designs.

• Does not impart off-taste or aroma to beer.

• Impervious to gas migration.

• Consistent internal diameter for flow control.

• Smooth interior surface.

• Resistant to sharp change in direction.

Polyvinyl Polythelene

Barrier Stainless Steel

!

Keg Pressure Systems 3 Methods of Pressurizing Kegs

for On-Premise Dispense

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

- Ideal Pressure for Direct Draw Systems Beer Pump

- Pump Pressure to Beer Line combined with CO2 Pressure to Keg is Ideal for Remote Draw Systems Mixed Gas

- CO2 Mixed with Nitrogen is Excellent Alternate Direct Pressure to Keg for Remote Draw Systems

Beer Pump

Beer Pumps are also used for propulsion of beer

Nitrogen Generators

FOBs (Beer Savers)

Refill Release Reset

Draught Tower – Air Cooled

Draught Tower – Glycol Cooled

How a Faucet Works

• To Open, pull handle quickly and completely forward into “on” position.

• To Close, push handle quickly and completely back to “off” position.

• Stopping at any position between the “on” and “off” positions, and, opening and closing the faucet too slowly, will cause the beer to foam.

• Use Collar Lock-nut to adjust brand tap marker for orientation desired.

• Use Compression Bonnet to adjust “throw tension” of tap marker.

• Two Vent Holes in Standard Faucet must be kept clean at all times.

Faucets U.S. Standard OKR Perl Ventless Perl Flow Control Euro Flow Control

•  Brand manufacturers include: Alumasc, American Beverage, Banner, Celli, CM Becker, Cornelius, Micromatic, Olmstead, Perlick, Tap Rite and Vin Service.

•  Constructed of stainless steel, plated brass and plastic.

•  Stainless steel levers do not break as easily as brass levers.

•  Stainless steel contact surfaces maximize hygiene and maintain best taste and aroma.

•  Plastic faucets should be taste tested by the brewer.

•  Optional features include flow control, creamer, fast flow and a variety of spouts.

Troubleshooting

1.  Check temperature – faucet (38F – 44F) and walk in cooler (34F – 38F)

2.  Check Keg – is the keg full or empty, change keg

3.  Check Coupler - is it tapped, coupler engaged 4.  Check Gas – is there gas at the source, is the

gas turned on 5.  Check FOB – Refill, Release, Rest

Where to check for common draught issues

Troubleshooting Video

You’ll be taken to this URL: http://www.draughtquality.org/news-and-events/keg-troubleshooting-video/