Selecting and Installing a Home Beer Tap System
No matter whether you are someone who likes brewing at home or simply a beer aficionado, installing a home beer tap system will make the experience far more enjoyable. Once in situ it’ll give you the chance to savour a chilled, freshly poured pint within the cosy confines of your home.
Within this blog post we will guide you through what is involved in choosing and installing a home beer tap system and offer some recommendations on the necessary equipment.
Choosing the Ideal Home Bar Beer Tap for Your Requirements
To give you some ideas on which bar equipment is best suited to your particular needs here are a few of the options available to you :
A Portable Jockey Box
A jockey box serves as a portable kegerator, which makes it the perfect choice if you are looking for something to take to a party or outdoor gathering like a BBQ. While jockey boxes are a good choice for outdoor activities such as camping trips, they might not be the most suitable choice for indoor locations such as your basement or man cave.
Flash Chiller
Flash chillers provide you with an intriguing variation of the classic kegerator concept. Employing an ice-free beer dispensing method, they deliver swift cooling in a practical and space-saving design. To get a nice refreshing ice cold beer from a flash chiller, it just needs plugging in and linking to a keg.
While flash chillers come with a slightly higher price tag, they are an excellent solution when you are looking for a set up that is both compact and extremely portable.
Kegerator
Kegerators are probably the most popular choice on the list, are they are available in two specific forms. For example you could opt for a DIY kegerator which could be something like a repurposed refrigerator. Alternatively you could go for or a pre-assembled, commercial-grade unit. This versatile solution caters to the majority of home craft beer tap setups.
To set up your very own draft beer tap system at home, you’ll need bar supplies such as a beer tower, tap handles, drip trays, kegerator, beer/gas lines, and all the other necessary bar supplies. This will allow you to pour beer straight from a keg in the comfort of your home.
A Step By Step Guide to Setting up your Home Beer Tap System
When you opt for the widely popular choice, the kegerator, the DIY setup process for your home beer tap will follow this general outline.
First, ensure that all the necessary components and tools are readily available. A detailed list of these components can be found within this section. The construction of a home bar with a beer tap typically doesn’t demand any specialised tools beyond those most people already have in their household, such as a spanner wrenches, a cutters, a screwdrivers, and the like.
Part 1
The first thing to do is decide on where your home beer tap system is going to be situated. You need to ensure you have enough room in your chosen space to accommodate all the components of the Kegerator.
Part 2
Attach the gas regulator to the CO2 tank (ensure it’s not open yet) by screwing it onto the threads at the top. Next, secure the airline to the CO2 using a clamp, and then connect this line to the keg coupler (or a gas disconnect if you’re using a Corny keg).
Part 3
Connect the beer line extending from the keg coupler (or beer disconnect) and route it to the beer shank, fixing both ends with clamps. Finally, the shank should be connected to the beer tower.
Part 4
When all the components are where they should be and connected it is time to open the CO2 flow adjusting the pressure. Dependent on the type of beer you have chosen pressure will vary between 10 to 12 psi. You should then do a couple of test pours to ensure there is no excess foam. Once you are satisfied with the consistency of your beer you’re ready to go.
What are the Key Components of a Home Beer Tap System
If you are looking to install a beer tap system at home it is imperative that you have all the key equipment. Listed below is everything you will need if you want to enjoy a cool refreshing beer at home.
- CO2 Gas Tank
- Gas Regulator
- Beer Tubing
- Beer Keg
- Keg Coupler
- Kegerator
- Beer Tower
- Beer Shank
- Tap Handles
- Clamps
If you are looking to install a home beer tap system the team here at Drinks flow has everything you need. Our wide range of high quality cellar equipment is available as and when you need it. If you are a home brew novice and still unsure about contact our team and they will be only too happy to advise you.