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Draught beer is the dream of many home brewers who aim to serve their beer as it is done in pubs. This is a basic procedure to follow for carbonating and serving beer from post-mix soft drink kegs, let’s get this done!
- Sterilize your keg by filling it with the same type of sterilizing mix you use for your beer fermenter.TAB TIP: We use and recommend peracetic acid, oxyclean or hydrogen peroxide in diluted solution. Replace the lid and allow the keg to sit for 20-30 minutes. Don’t let your keg longer than this time.
- Drain the keg, and rinse it thoroughly.
- Purge the keg of all its air by sealing the lid and connecting the gas line from the gas cylinder, to the gas inlet on the keg. Turn the gas bottle on and set the pressure to 100 kPa (15psi). Allow the gas to flow for 30 seconds and then vent the keg by opening the safety valve to release all the pressure. Do it 3 times, to ensure all the air is removed from the keg.
- Release all the pressure via the valve and open the lid of the keg. Don’t worry that the gas will escape as enough will remain due to it being heavier than air.
- Fill the keg from your fermenter using the PVC tubing, taking care not to splash the beer which will also cause oxidation. Fill to within 50-75mm of the top of the keg. Replace the lid on the keg.
- Connect the gas line to the gas valve on the keg and blow out any remaining air that still may be in the keg. Close the safety valve and pressurize the keg for 10 sec.
- The length of the hose between your regulator on keg may need to vary to ensure perfect beer pouring, free from foaming. It is suggested to have:
If 4 mm ID hose 1.5 mt hose each end If 5 mm ID hose 3 mt hose each end If 6 mm ID hose 4.5 hose each end - Chill your keg to sit in the fridge to 2°C to 4°C, this will normally take overnight.
- Connect the black liquid disconnect to the gas line from the bottle. Turn on the gas and make sure the gauge is still set to 100 kPa. Leaving this connected, you can then dissolve the gas a lot faster by rocking the keg back and forward.TAB TIP: Rocking up to 100 times is a pretty good way to get the gas to dissolve in the beer, this might sound like a lot of work but just sit yourself on a chair and it’ll be quite easy!
- Allow the keg to sit in the fridge for 24 hours and repeat this process. This will allow plenty of time for the first lot of gas to dissolve into the beer.
- Repeat step 8 and 9 over the course of 3-4 days. Don’t be concerned about over- gassing the beer as the pressure set on the regulator will ensure this doesn’t occur.
Dispensing the beer:
It’s time to impress all your fam & friends!
The easiest way to dispense the beer from the keg is to firstly turn on the gas and make sure the gauge is still set to 100 kPa. Then connect the gas line, with a white gas disconnect attached, to the gas plug on the keg.
This is how pubs dispense their draught beer. This pressure will ensure a smooth easy pour and no carbonation will be lost. It is extremely important to note that the beer lines have to be 4mm diameter and 2.4mts long.
If you try this technique don’t forget to tag us on our socials @artisans.bottega. Let us know what you think of it! We love getting in touch with our TAB family!