My latest beer turned out very well. Except, I over carbonated it in the keg. After the giant head settles, the glass that was filled to the top is about 1/2-2/3 full. The beer tastes fine. But, I noticed the carbonation seems absent from the beer (i.e. the beer seems flat, even though there's a decent head of foam on it). Anyone experience this problem? If so, what's the best procedure for fixing it? Thanks!
Tap lines are 5 feet, with picnic taps. I carbed it at close to 30psi for 2 days. Then, I dropped the pressure to a littl over 10 for serving. I've since turned off the pressure and emptied the keg of gas, then re pressurized at 8 psi. Still foamy. The 3rd beer is as foamy as the first. FWIW, 5 gallon corny kegs with a dual pressure regulator gage.
Equally important to length of the lines is the inner diameter. Huge difference in restriction going from 3/16th to 1/4. Your lines should be 3/16th ID.
It sounds like you may be overcarbonated (and not just unbalanced). If so, you're going to have to get rid of the excess CO2. Hopefully your corny lid has a relief valves Burp it. Often. Eventually, your pressure will reach an equilibrium, with the 10 PSI you now have your regulator set at.
How often should I burp? Twice a day? Is 10 too high? I'm starting to think I should leave it around 5 psi for serving. The lines are 3/16 inch. Thanks!
No, 10 PSI is not too high in general, assuming your beer temperature isn't extremely cold. And 5 PSI will eventually lead to an undercarbonated beer. You will be burping it (now) to get the already overcarbonated levels down, regardless of serving pressure. You could temporarily try a lower serving pressure, which might help with the foaming until you get rid of the excess CO2. I 'd recommend googling up one of many line balancing charts on the interwebs. Edit: Burp often. The more often you do it, the faster you'll get the CO2 levels down. Another Edit: I would disconnect the gas until the carbonation level has been reduced (by burping). It will expedite it somewhat.
I would feel bad if I didn't take this opportunity to recommend 'set and forget' carbonation. There's way too many threads about fast force carbonation gone awry.
I've never been a fan of the high pressure quick carbonation method... Edit - You read my mind Vikeman
Not to hijack this thread, but my keezer does this. What would this indicate? The first pint is always about 1/3 foam, then it behaves.
There are temp vs. pressure charts out there to dial in a carbonation level per style, etc. As an all-encompassing generalization, I am happy with ~ 13psi for 2 weeks which gives ~ 2.4 volumes of CO2.
Thanks for the info. Can you share a link to the charts? Also, you keep the psi at 13 past the two week period, for the duration the beer is in the keg? My kegs are in a fridge at 40 degrees F. Thanks!
Here's one. http://www.kegerators.com/carbonation-table.php With set and forget, you literally set and forget. You don't change it after it's carbonated. But you also need to make sure your beer line is long enough to balance against the pressure. There are charts for that too.
Although I have no experience with this, from what I've read it's typically because the beer line in the tower is warmer than the beer coming out of the keg.
First pint foam, followed by normal pours is usually an indication of a warm beer line. Do you have a tower by any chance?
No, but I have a collar and the beer lines are coiled and held in place with zip ties on the lid of the keezer, so that's likely the reason. I have a computer fan in there circulating air to keep it uniform, but it's pointing down. Maybe if I pointed it up it would help keep the lines cooler? I like the design because when I lift the collar (it's hinged at the collar), the taps and beer lines move out of the way so I have easier access to the kegs. But this might be less than ideal for keeping the lines cool.
determining if you have warm beer in your lines is very easy. pour your first foamy glass and take a temperature. immediately pour a second glass and check the temperature. both should be nearly identical to the temperature of the inside of the keezer. move the fan, the lines or both until you have steady temperature. you might have to duct the fan, fabricate some 2 or 3 inch tubing attached to the outflow to redirect the air. it's a fairly easy fix with a little DIY know how and patience. Cheers.
