Pubs, bars and restaurants all have one thing in common: They all have a draft beer system in place. However, in recent times, home and garden bars have become a popular addition to many homes meaning that the number of individuals wanting their own draft beer system has grown.
If you have no experience of draft beer systems or are thinking about setting up your own bar you’re probably unsure of what you need. Even though you may think it would be a complex process it’s much easier than you might think to find out what is required. The purpose of this blog post is to show you what are the essential components of any draft beer system, why they are important and the way they combine to provide you with the perfect pint.
The Keg
The keg is a cold pressurised barrel that contains and stores your beer. Kegs come in a range of different sizes that hold anything from 10 litres to almost 70 litres. The most commonly used material in keg manufacture is stainless steel however aluminium is also used in some cases. The reason for using these materials is that they do not rust, are able to resist corrosive substances like beer, and have the insulation needed to keep the beer at the optimum temperature.
You can get different shaped kegs however they are generally cylindrical. If you want to keep your beer cool and in perfect condition the constant temperature of the keg should be roughly 3 degrees celsius.
Keg Couplers
Keg couplers are the adapters that connect the valve on the keg to the beer line. This connection allows beer to travel through the beer line while releasing carbon dioxide to keep the correct amount of pressure within the keg.
There are different types of keg couplers and the one you need will be dependent on which brand or size of keg with which you want to use them. At Drinksflow we offer customers a wide range of premium quality couplers designed to fit all different valves, such as our A Type keg coupler Tecflow, Coupler A Type 2019 or Coupler key keg type, check out all the information on our product page where you will find exactly what you need.
CO2 and Nitrogen Gas Cylinders
These cylinders are what pressurise the keg allowing it to dispense the beer. In the majority of draft beer systems cylinders usually come in sizes of 5 and 20 lbs and the number of beers you serve will dictate how often you need to change the cylinder.
Every cylinder stores carbon dioxide which will push beer from the keg to the glass. To avoid the possibility of your cylinder exploding you should keep it upright and away from any heat.
Primary and Secondary Gas Regulator and Line
Gas lines are what transport gas from the cylinder to the keg coupler. The gas you use is entirely dependent on what drinks you are pouring. For example if you are dispensing wines and cocktails you would use nitrogen whereas beer requires CO2. Your cylinder will require a specific connection depending on whether you are using CO2 or nitrogen. Drinksflow have a range of different gas regulators such as the primary CO2 bottle regulator and the primary mixed gas regulator.
Lines are manufactured from vinyl the length of which will be determined by how far the kegerator is from the keg. A pressure regulator as its name suggests is what is used to regulate the pressure of gas and must be adjusted to make sure gas flows properly so carbonation and the beer flow rate is maintained. You have the choice of a primary or secondary gas regulator and the one you use could vary depending on the set up and design of your system.
The gas line is used to connect the regulator to the keg coupler and performs the vital function of delivering CO2 to the keg meaning the beer can flow freely.
Beer Line
The beer line takes the beer from keg to tap and is generally made out of PVC or polyethylene and varies in length depending on how your system is designed. Beer flow rates are affected by the diameter of the line and a smaller line may well restrict the flow and larger ones less so. There are beer lines of differing quality ranging from non barrier to partial and full barrier tubing.
Taps and Handles
The final components you need to complete your draft beer system are the taps and the handles. The handle is what is used to pull the pint and control the flow, while the tap which is connected to the beer shank dispenses the beer. If you want to avoid contamination which could sour the taste of your beer it is imperative you keep the tap and handle clean.
If you are looking to set up a draft beer system at home or in your business, Drinksflow have everything you need. Why not call and speak to our team about our wide range of premium bar components today?