Flow Control Faucets and Balanced Draft Systems Working Together

[@jonfournier2338]

I switched to a Micro Matic commercial kegerator with a fan cooled tower and placed the CO2 tank inside. I used ultra barrier gas and liquid lines 7' coupled with SS Oetiker clamps. The stainless steel tower shank bowls were polished to reduce nucleation sites and I attached SS Perlick flow control faucets. Everything is very cold the laser thermometer is showing temps anywhere between 38 and 55° inside the kegerator, keg, CO2 cylinder and tower. Finally a perfect pour and yes I'm still crying. Thanks Larry keep up the good work.

[@mrjc12]

Have flow control faucets and was wondering about cider psi. This video was perfect!! Thank you sir!!

[@JohnKaufmann]

Thanks man you saved me from making an error. I'll start with the calculations to determine the right balance. I won't be doing much outside American ales so it should be pretty much set once it get it right.

[@shockwavebg1246]

Hi Larry from Australia, you can now buy a flow control ball lock that will solve your problems, buy from kegland, great videos

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

No substitute for doing it right! Good video! 👍🍻

[@derekp6636]

Thanks Larry! It wasn't this vid but another of yours where i saw the tip to just lengthen my line. Hope to build a proper bar someday, until then it comes out smooth with 10' and a picnic tap.

[@frallorfrallor3410]

3/16 lines are the best never get foam issuses🤗

[@mattharris2018]

Larry. I’ve only ever used picnic taps. I’ve found though, that if you restrict the flow the beer comes out foamy. I always open up fully as quickly as possible and usually have little problems.

[@jeffpearljam1976]

I have the same flow control faucet. It’s works great. I have 8 feet of line, and when I pour I start small, but once the tower chills, I open it.

[@phantomcreamer]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Should have a cooled tower

[@phantomcreamer]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Do you have a T-tower or a flow through?

[@jacktorrance7639]

thanks for explaining. I've been wondering about this very subject for a while. I will try out the balanced system. Thanks for sharing again! awesome.

[@jamescb3]

Hey Larry! Newer subscriber to the channel, never commented on here before. Just want to say that I love the videos, you're my favorite brewer on youtube. Keep up the great work!

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

More great tips. Love doing things the optimal way. Thanks for the info!

[@jennifergutierrez8137]

Hey larry just wanted to know if this Applies to a nitro system as well? Probably a dumb question.

[@jennifergutierrez8137]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY thanks buddy

[@patrickglaser1560]

Necro post: a font cooler is critical. If your faucets aren't sweating you're gonna have foamover. Yup, flow control can only do so much. It helps but you'll still be fiddling with the gas input.

[@mickeyperre5192]

A quick question on the flow control. What happens if you are in the range of 5 psi? Ie you normally serve at 10-12psi and you go to 13-16. I can understand the double jump 10 to 20 would cause issues. My thought is the flow control would work well up to a certain pressure amount where the deviations aren’t great. Would be great to find out :)

[@carlwyatt5036]

Hey Larry, Carl UK . MOVING fro PB to keg . When carbonating and I have reached my lager carbonation levels for lager ,I then turn down to serving level ,do I leave it connected to gas line or can I uncouple and serve . Cheers fella

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

You’re describing an unbalanced draft system. If you balance your draft system, the pressure is the same and there is no need to fool around with it.

[@brewing8094]

The Kegland Flow Control Ball Lock Keg Disconnect works really well at the keg end instead of the tap end. Great if you want to serve different styles of 🍺 beer with higher psi pressure. I was amazed, they cranked up to 30psi over pressure and turned down the pressure on top of the ball lock disconect and the 🍺 beer come out perfectly with nice head. I recently made 2 tasty 5 gallon Pilsners 🍻🍺🍻🍺🍻 and serving at 12psi and wanted a few more bubbles at 13-14psi works very well. I'm using the Intertaps with springs.

[@justyn7062]

Have you tried a flow control at the post rather than the tap. This is apparently the better way as you don’t have the head pressure that you see at the faucet end?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Not yet but am considering it.

[@Mohanz]

Thanks for the video, great advice. I've just bought 2 new Intertap FC taps for my kegerator as serving highly carbed beers like Saisons, Brut IPAs etc is getting hard with my standard system (and i have 3 different styles on tap at any given time). I'm also replacing my lines to 4m per side using 6mm I.D tubing - so hopefully this balances things out to serve at 12psi at around 4-5 Degrees Celsius

[@Mohanz]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY haha yeah I just finished your spreadsheet so about to head to the brew store! Smallest ID lines I can get to fit the corney outposts is 5.5mm though...

[@johnmal801]

Nice bar Larry. I remember the drop down on the back side of the bar.. Good video.

[@BeerWineandShine]

Well i guess this answeres my question from your other video. Bummer. Well glad i didnt go crazy on ordering them. Still may give one a try.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

There is a product, a flow restrictor, that attaches directly to the keg post which can be tuned to control flow rate at the start of the beer line (rather than at the end like in a FC faucet). It works much better but still only works well if the line is reasonably balanced.

[@johneagle1855]

Don't forget carbonation lvl, temperature and line sealing can also come into play.

[@wutzzz138]

Larry, in my eyes, you are the educated & scientific cross between Homer Simpson & Dexter from Dexter’s Labs. Subscriber here!

[@williamharr1325]

Is there such a thing as having too LONG a beer line? Thanks again for putting this video and your balancing video together! :D

[@doublecee3385]

This is a great video and all, but if you don't have the balancing issued to the extent that you do, I get the feeling that these flow control taps could probably solve the issue fairly easily. For example, in that second clip where you were pouring the foam for a good 7 or 8 seconds, yeah, I agree, it's probably not going to fix the issue in that situation, but if you someone like me that doesn't really understand how the whole balancing thing works, and doesn't necessarily want understand, it's a viable solution for someone like me. I've got this exact same issue but nowhere need to the extent that you demonstrated, I'm pouring foam for about maybe 3 to 5 seconds, and then everything after that it's just beer, but at 12 psi you're still going to have a reasonably thick head, if I had the ability to mitigate the flow for the first few seconds and then crank it up to serving flow, I would still get reasonable head but I don't think it would be anywhere near the amount I'm getting now. I'm not calling bulshit on your video, I just think that these taps could potentially solve the issue if the issue wasn't as serious as you demonstrated.

[@joshuapinter]

Thanks! Last question: Intertap or Perlick?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Forward sealing designs of any brand should be fine. Just beware of Chinese knockoff especially Intertap. Rumor has it that they can also add to foam issues due to poor surface roughness on the interior.

[@joshuapinter]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Thanks for the tip. Picked up a few Intertap Flow Control faucets from a legit distributor so hopefully it all works well.

[@firemanjohn98]

What are your thoughts on the Gov Reg Inline Secondary Pressure Regulator. Do you think it would work on your setup?

[@stirlingarcher2141]

Nice explanation Larry. It's obvious a your a thinker and know your system well. I think that's the best way to look at problems like this to get them sorted, tweak and try your equipment until control is won. Like all things worth having, knowledge of your brew house is usually achieved through trial & error no matter how well someone else's setup works for them :-0 Thanks for your videos mate I always look forward to watching them :-0

[@sierramandtx]

its temperature. that kegorater looks like it uses a cold plate instead of a cooling fan. did numerous service calls on this issue. direct draw systems need no more higher pressure than they would need that faucet. cant even put a cooling hose in that tower which helps.

[@carimage]

Great information as usual Larry thank you. I have a balanced Keezer tap set up as per your information - works perfect. As a matter of interest I also use flow control taps direct on keg posts and for 10-14 psi they work like a dream pour - but I have a wheat beer on tap and you’re right at higher carbonation the balance is tricky.

[@fmixthings]

I have a kegerator set up for one beer style, my favorite that is only available on tap. Recently they changed the keg style to something taller and narrower and they figured out a different way of dry hopping the beer. Could that affect the system at all? I absolutely cannot get a properly poured glass of beer. Foam all day long. I started around 8 psi and worked my way up to 20 psi!!! By then I had a decent beer coming out but it was so fast it still foamed.

[@fmixthings]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY I got the setup from a friend. He got it from Beverage Factory. The new keg style is only an inch or two taller, but I think that is because of added handles. I have to trim down the platform inside the kegerator to let it fit. Overall the keg top for the connection is just a little higher relative to the tap. But still using the same line as before. I will probably get a 15ft hose, currently it is about 5ft. That way I can trim down as needed and could have flexibility for other possible beers. Thanks

[@fmixthings]

I ordered a 15ft hose. Hopefully it will be able to fix my problem. I compared the old keg to the new one and the tap is about even height with the keg connection. The old one is about an inch or two lower. That is really the only thing that has changed for me. If you have a video on keg height vs tap height I'd love to see it. Seems like more great info

It looks like the pressure is too low. Have you tried getting higher with the CO2 pressure? When using a compensator you want to make sure your beer doesn't release any gas bofore the flow control gap, so you might need to increase the pressue a little. 22psi/1.5bar should be absolutely in the working range of a compensator faucet...

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Thanks for the question. My pressures are always exactly where they need to be for proper carbonation levels which typically is 8-12 psi to cover the range of beer styles I brew. If you add pressure above what you need or want in the beer then the beer gets over carbonated. You should never need to add (or drop) pressure in a balanced draft system. (To balance, you need to adjust the length and diameter of your beer line.) If you feel you have to add/drop pressure to get a decent pour then your system is not balanced and any foaming from a flow control faucet is the least of your problem with your draft system.

[@HomeBrewingTV]

So what do you think of the flow control tap itself? I’m thinking of adding three more taps to my keezer. Should I go with the flow control?

[@HomeBrewingTV]

Good to know. I would have assumed the spring closer would also have worked on the flow control tap.

[@SubieYam]

I have a perlick flow control and really only serve beer from my kegerator with a balanced line and I love it. it allows for the adjustment of different beer styles and their pressure. also allows you to get a good head on your beer with nice control just by moving the control arm as the beer is pouring. that's how I use it at least. I don't really set a point on the control and just leave it there, I tend to move it as the beer pours to get the perfect pour each time. although I don't always need to play with it but when pouring a beer that's not matched to my system it is a great feature to have. I've also started closing the flow control completely after each pour to ensure I don't have a leak. with the Perlick, well mine at least I can leave the tap completely open but as long as the flow control is closed im pretty leak proof.

[@rocksoft5433]

What are your specs for an average cider? Psi, temp, hose length

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I prefer highly carbonated cider (~2.8-3 vols CO2), so I use about 18-20 ft of 3/16 ID which ends up around 14 psi at 36 deg F.

[@carlwyatt5036]

Arre you still available for questions my friend . Cheers carl

[@mblakeborough]

Do you have your root beer recipe posted? In curious to try it.

[@mblakeborough]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY have you thought about doing a video review of different kegerators such as the kegland series 4 3 tap with build in tower cooler and other ones similar?

[@12schnsaint]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY that would be great. I'm been looking at getting a kegerator but just can't find a brand i would like to go with..

[@GenusBrewing]

Luv me some flow control intertap :)

[@asshattery]

Mine were useless, my balanced system with great pours turned in to glass of foam like what he showed...

[@themall1314]

Is that 10ft of 1/4" tubing? Also, what's your elevation?

[@LouB3rt]

don't fear the foam! =) but I actually prefer a good amount of foam on my beers. Go "check" out the Czech Republic you can order a full glass of foam- but most of their beers are half foam anyway it is part of the experience. Great vidoe as always. Cheers

[@TheBrewQ]

Boom! Great tips, Larry! I’ve got a leaky CO2 issue that i have to pinpoint. I’m starting with replacing all kegs’ o-rings and seals. The troubles of a homebrewer. Cheers, bud!

[@EclipseBrewing]

I like the flow control taps for quick minor adjustment helps when people come over and the beers come out foamy, good to know they wouldn’t help with cider over pressuring for ciders/wines ....cheers

[@CanadianBrewingChannel]

Looks like a waste of money! I did what you did Larry. I have 12 feet of line and keep my pressure at 20 psi. It works great! Cheers!

[@asshattery]

Absolute waste of money, they ruin even a balanced system.

[@rocksoft5433]

With 3/16 ID?

[@CanadianBrewingChannel]

@@rocksoft5433 i believe so. What ever beer line is.

[@redpill8222]

I can’t get my first keg balanced 🤬

[@redpill8222]

BEER-N-BBQ by Larry After watching some of your videos and others it is my lines I need to get the 3/16” line and replace my 1/4”. Thank you Larry I have learned so much from your videos 👍

[@CanadianBrewingChannel]

And I think I have the same Danby Keg fridge as you!

[@BeerWineandShine]

So I've been doing some research. They change the design of the inner tap. It is now called nuka tap. They change the design of the flow Control. It's supposed to be a lot better. I bought one. I guess we will see

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

It’s not much better. Only incrementally. I also have Nukatap. Still causes foaming if the lines aren’t balanced.

[@BeerWineandShine]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY The more I learn The more I understand How/Why Things work. I think I have found the solution To the long line problem, I am hoping the faucets will eliminate The need to ever change the lines lengths Once they are painstakingly installed. Keezer build.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

@@BeerWineandShine I just use the longest line needed for the most highly carbonated style I brew so that all beer styles are accommodated. Downside is that the lowest carbonated style takes a tad longer to pour.

[@BeerWineandShine]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY lol, And that brings me to my next slew Of problems. I have absolutely no idea Carbonation levels Different beer styles need. Nor do I know what styles of beer I will settle on the most. I am trying to broaden my horizons, I know that I do not like bitterness. I have a lot to learn

[@bradleyglossop]

This would've been a super interesting and even useful video if you had shown the difference, on the same keg with the same beer, the additional beer line to balance the higher pressure would've made to the pour. I am also struggling with beer foam in my last two batches.

[@dalejoy193]

Balance your line 10 - 10.5 feet and all good . Love your work Larry, your food recipes are great as well. I have used a few at my Aussie BBQ's...........Big hit

[@OldNorsebrewery]

I have 20 ft beer lines so I don`t need flow control because they don`t work as intended. Cheers

[@OldNorsebrewery]

BEER-N-BBQ by Larry I pour slow and steady. About 20 second for a pint glass, but just shy of a one finger head on 12 psi keg. I`m happy with that. Cheers

[@davidlarsen2184]

Wouldn't a smaller diameter do the same as longer length since you are looking for line resistance?

[@harefieldscraftcider256]

I'm over half way through and still waiting to move on to the solution not to mention the 45 seconds at the beggining before he addresses the title of the video. That's hundreds of minutes wasted for all the combined viewers. 3/4 way through and he's still repeating himself.