Most domestic draft beer is not pasteurized, so it must be kept cold. The temperature of the beer must be maintained between 36-38°F all the way to the point of dispense. Temperatures above 38°F will cause foam and promote sour/cloudy beer. When temperature rises above 50-55°F, bacteria growth rapidly begins to spoil flavor and cloud the beer. Simply put, keg beer storage can be compared to milk storage: "if it is not kept cold, it will spoil."

The air temperature in the refrigerator can fluctuate greatly when the door is opened. Therefore it’s important to check the "liquid" temperature of the beer – rather then the air temperature in the refrigerator. The easiest method for monitoring the liquid temperature (inside the keg) is to put glass of water in the refrigerator with a thermomitor in it. Allow the water to chill for 24 hours, and then you will have a continuous accurate reading of the "liquid" temperature.

Additionally, if the beer is being dispensed away from the refrigerator, the temperature of the dispensed beer should be monitored. This is to make sure the 36-38°F temperature is being maintained all the way to the point of dispense. To check the dispense temperature, simply pour a beer into glass and use a thermomitor to read the temperature.

When dispensing draft beer, the goal is to keep the CO2 level prescribed by the brewer. Any change in the CO2 level can alter the taste characteristics and appearance of the product.

The recommended CO2 pressure, for most domestic draft beers, is between 12-14 Lbs . This pressure will maintain the level of carbonation that the breweries specify.

If the beers is dispensed with too low of a pressure, over time the CO2 that is dissolved in the beer will break out. This will result in flat beer. If the beer is dispensed with to high of a pressure, over time more CO2 will be absorbed into the beer and the result will be off-taste and foamy beer.

Stout beers such as Guinness, require a mixed gas and a higher dispense pressure for proper dispensing

 What are the specifications for a keg?

These keg dimensions will help you determine what size refrigerator you will need to create a home kegerator.

In general, at least 5" to 6" of clearance needs to be allowed above the keg for the keg coupler and beer hose. Limited space? Use an elbow fittings to reduce the height to 4" to 5". In applications where even this much clearance is not available, a low profile D keg coupler that requires only 1" above the keg can be used. It is very important not to kink the beer hose as it leaves the coupler, this will restrict flow and cause

Also known as:	Home Brew/ Corny Keg	Sixth Barrel	Quarter Barrel/ Pony Keg	Slim Quarter	Half Barrel/ Full Keg
Gallons	5.00	5.23	7.75	7.75	15.50
Ounces	640	669	992	992	1984
# of 12 oz. beers	53	55	82	82	165
Height	23"	23-3/8"	13-7/8"	23-3/8"	23-3/8"
Diameter	9"	9-1/4"	17"	11-1/8"	17"
Weight (Full)	49 Pounds	53 Pounds	81 Pounds	81 Pounds	161 Pounds

 How long will a keg of beer remain fresh?

If dispensing with CO₂, and maintained at the proper temperature and pressure:

• Non-pasteurized draft beer will remain fresh for about 45-60 days.
• Pasteurized draft beer will remain fresh for about 90-120 days.

If dispensing with a party pump (air):

• Any draft beer will remain fresh for no more than 8-12 hours.

 What is pasteurized and non-pasteurized keg beer?

Pasteurized

Import keg beers (similar to most domestic cans and bottles) are heat pasteurized during brewing. This process kills off the bacteria that spoils beer flavor. Therefore, import beer can be stored at room temperature and chilled at the point of dispense by use of a flash chiller. However, most establishments keep their import kegs at the same temperature as the domestic kegs.

Non-Pasteurized

Domestic keg beers are not pasteurized during brewing. During the packaging process non-pasteurized beer is chilled and bacteria become dormant. Temperatures above 38°F will cause foam and promote sour/cloudy beer. Should the temperature rise above 50-55°F, the dormant bacteria will once again become active and growth will rapidly begin to spoil flavor and cloud the beer. This is commonly referred to as secondary fermentation.

 What temperature do I need to store draft beer at?

Most domestic draft beer is not pasteurized, so it must be kept cold. The temperature of the beer must be maintained between 36-38°F all the way to the point of dispense. Temperatures above 38°F will cause foam and promote sour/cloudy beer. When temperature rises above 50-55°F, bacteria growth rapidly begins to spoil flavor and cloud the beer. Simply put, keg beer storage can be compared to milk storage: "if it is not kept cold, it will spoil."

The air temperature in the refrigerator can fluctuate greatly when the door is opened. Therefore it’s important to check the "liquid" temperature of the beer – rather then the air temperature in the refrigerator. The easiest method for monitoring the liquid temperature (inside the keg) is to put glass of water in the refrigerator with a thermometer in it. Allow the water to chill for 24 hours, and then you will have a continuous accurate reading of the "liquid" temperature.

Additionally, if the beer is being dispensed away from the refrigerator, the temperature of the dispensed beer should be monitored. This is to make sure the 36-38°F temperature is being maintained all the way to the point of dispense. To check the dispense temperature, simply pour a beer into glass and use a thermometer to read the temperature.

Where can I purchase tools to remove the valve from a beer keg?

For liability reasons products such as keg valves, keg valve installation tools, keg valve removal tools, keg washing couplers, and so forth are available only to breweries. It is important only trained professionals perform keg maintenance and installation of valves. Improper installation can result in possible injury.

How do I tap a keg?

For the American D system,European S system, and U system keg couplers:

1. Ensure the keg coupler handle is in the upright (OFF) position.
2. Align the two coupler lugs with the corresponding openings in the keg valve.
3. Insert the keg coupler and turn clockwise to engage into position (about 90 degrees).
4. Press the handle downward (ON) this will allow gas to enter the keg and beer to flow out of the keg.

Difference between a party pump and keg coupler?  Party pumps dispense beer by use of outside air pumped into the keg via a hand pump. This type of dispensing is appropriate only when the beer will be consumed within a few hours, because the outside air will cause a bacteria reaction that will spoil the beer within 8-12 hours. Keg couplers dispense beer by use of carbon dioxide (CO₂) supplied from a cylinder. This type of dispensing will allow the beer to remain fresh, if kept at the proper temperature and pressure, for 45-120 days.

What pressure do I need to set the CO2 regulator at?

When dispensing draft beer, the goal is to keep the CO2 level prescribed by the brewer. Any change in the CO2 level can alter the taste characteristics and appearance of the product.

The recommended CO2 pressure, for most domestic draft beers, is between 12-14 Lbs . This pressure will maintain the level of carbonation that the breweries specify.

If the beers is dispensed with too low of a pressure, over time the CO2 that is dissolved in the beer will break out. This will result in flat beer. If the beer is dispensed with to high of a pressure, over time more CO2 will be absorbed into the beer and the result will be off-taste and foamy beer.

Stout beers such as Guinness, require a mixed gas and a higher dispense pressure for proper dispensing. 

How do I set a regulator?

Once the regulator is securely attached to the gas cylinder:

1. Close the shut off valve on output port of the regulator.
2. Open the valve on the gas cylinder completely.
3. Turn the regulator adjustment screw clockwise until the desired pressure is shown on the output pressure gauge.
4. Lastly, open the shutoff valve on output port of the regulator.

How many kegs of beer can be dispensed out of a CO2 tank?

As a general rule of thumb, it takes about a ¼ Lb of CO₂ to dispense a ¼ barrel of beer and a ½ Lb of CO₂ to dispense a ½ barrel of beer. The table below lists the approximate number of kegs that can be dispensed from each size of CO2 cylinder.

	5.00 Gallon	5.23 Gallon	7.75 Gallon	15.50 Gallon
	Home Brew	1/6 barrels	¼ barrels	½ barrels
5 pound cylinder	28-31	27-30	18-20	9-10
10 pound cylinder	56-62	54-60	36-40	18-20
15 pound cylinder	84-93	81-90	54-60	27-30
20 pound cylinder	112-124	108-120	72-80	36-40

Where can I get a CO2 cylinder filled?

Inquire with the store you are getting your kegs from for a local source. Another option is to look in your phone book under Fire Extinguishers or Fire and Safety Equipment. Companies that refill fire extinguishers will be able to fill CO2 cylinders.

The average cost for filling a 5 Lb CO₂ cylinder is $12. This cost will vary with each market area.

Stout beers such as Guinness, require a mixed gas for proper dispensing.