Draught Components and

Troubleshooting Breakout

Ernie Jimenez – MillerCoors

ernie.jimenez@millercoors.com
Ken Smith – Boston Beer
ken.smith@bostonbeer.com
Basic Draught Dispense
System

All Draught Dispense

Systems feature these
Basic Components.
 Kegs
Keg Components Features
•  Stainless Steel Construction

•  Single Hole accommodates

Keg Valve & Down Tube

•  Sealed Environment for

Cleaning, Filling and
Dispensing

•  Tap Well (Barnes Neck)

Models in Use in Trade:
Safety Warnings:
•  Do Not Pressurize over 55 psi - Spring Lock (newer)
•  Empty Kegs have Residual Gas. - Threaded (older)
 Keg Sizes & Capacities

!
Gallons 5.23 7.75 7.75 13.3 15.5
Ounces 640 992 992 1,690 1,984
12 oz Cups 53.3 82.7 82.7 140.8 165.3
16 oz Pints 40 62 62 105.6 124
Height 23.3” 14.8 23.3 20.2” 23.3”
Diameter 9.25” 17” 11” 17” 17”
Weight 55.5 lbs. 83.3 lbs. 81.1.lbs. 133 lbs. 161 lbs.
 How a Keg Works
How a Keg Valve Works
1.  Gas enters head space of keg through vents in
down tube.
2.  Gas pushes down on beer.
3.  Gas pressure forces beer up through down tube
and out of keg.
4.  Gas fills empty head space as beer is vacated.
Warnings
•  Only qualified personnel with proper tools should
remove and work on the down tube and valves.
•  Valve seals can be torn or leaking.
•  Kegs are brewery property.
•  Tag and return damaged kegs
to brewery
•  Tampering with and modifying
may void warranties and liabilities
of keg owner.
Keg Couplers Keg Coupler Models
•  Name brand manufacturers include:
American Beverage, Banner, Micromatic,
Perlick and Tap Rite.
•  Stainless steel or plated brass construction.
•  Check ball in probe prevents beer from
flowing backward into the keg.
•  Check valve in gas inlet prevents beer
Sankey D from backing up into CO2 gas line.
•  U.S. Kegs •  Safety relief spring set at 55 psi.

Sankey S
•  Euro Kegs
!
 Tapping a Keg

Tapping a Keg
•  The tap is aligned with the keg
outlet and turned clockwise ¼
turn to secure it to the keg.

•  The handle is pulled out,

depressed downward and then
released into the locking position.

•  This couples the tap with the keg

down tube and opens the valves
to the CO2 line and the beer line.
 Beer Line
Polyvinyl

Two Functions of Beer Line:

• Transports beer from keg to faucet.
Polythelene
• Controls flow rate of the beer.

“Brewery Approved” Beer Line Features:

• Material FDA approved for beverage contact.
• Constructed of several plastic compounds and
designs. Barrier Stainless Steel
• Does not impart off-taste or aroma to beer.
• Impervious to gas migration.
• Consistent internal diameter for flow control.
• Smooth interior surface.
• Resistant to sharp change in direction.
!
Keg Pressure Systems
3 Methods of Pressurizing Kegs
for On-Premise Dispense

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

- Ideal Pressure for
Direct Draw Systems

Beer Pump
- Pump Pressure to Beer Line combined
with CO2 Pressure to Keg is Ideal for
Remote Draw Systems

Mixed Gas
- CO2 Mixed with Nitrogen is Excellent
Alternate Direct Pressure to Keg for
Remote Draw Systems
 Beer Pump

Beer Pumps are also used for propulsion of beer

Nitrogen Generators
 FOBs (Beer Savers)

Refill Release Reset

Draught Tower – Air Cooled
Draught Tower – Glycol Cooled
 How a Faucet Works

• To Open, pull handle quickly and completely forward into “on” position.
• To Close, push handle quickly and completely back to “off” position.
• Stopping at any position between the “on” and “off” positions, and, opening
and closing the faucet too slowly, will cause the beer to foam.
• Use Collar Lock-nut to adjust brand tap marker for orientation desired.
• Use Compression Bonnet to adjust “throw tension” of tap marker.
• Two Vent Holes in Standard Faucet must be kept clean at all times.
 Faucets
U.S. Standard OKR Perl Ventless Perl Flow Control Euro Flow Control

•  Brand manufacturers include: Alumasc, American Beverage, Banner, Celli, CM

Becker, Cornelius, Micromatic, Olmstead, Perlick, Tap Rite and Vin Service.
•  Constructed of stainless steel, plated brass and plastic.
•  Stainless steel levers do not break as easily as brass levers.
•  Stainless steel contact surfaces maximize hygiene and maintain best taste and
aroma.
•  Plastic faucets should be taste tested by the brewer.
•  Optional features include flow control, creamer, fast flow and a variety of spouts.
 Troubleshooting

1.  Check temperature – faucet (38F – 44F) and

walk in cooler (34F – 38F)
2.  Check Keg – is the keg full or empty, change
keg
3.  Check Coupler - is it tapped, coupler engaged
4.  Check Gas – is there gas at the source, is the
gas turned on
5.  Check FOB – Refill, Release, Rest
Where to check for common draught issues
Troubleshooting Video

You’ll be taken to this URL: http://www.draughtquality.org/news-

and-events/keg-troubleshooting-video/