I kegged my first beer about two weeks ago. 7% IPA into a 2.5 gallon ball lock keg. I've left the carbing lid connected and use a picnic tap. All equipment is new and I am pretty sure I have no leaks as the level on the regulator is not moving. The keg is cooled in a chest freezer with a Fermostat set at 43F.
I am definitely still in the learning stage. I did a StarSan purge before filling the keg, then set the regulator at about 14psi for 24 hours. I was extremely happy with my first pour both because of the carbonation level (when I bottled I often over or under carbed) and because I got an extremely persistent head and lacing.
After the first beer, I dialed the regulator back to about 3psi. First mistake. The next day the beer had very little head or lacing. So, I went back to 12psi and have left it there since. Normally I drink about 16 oz a day, and the beers have looked and tasted very good.
I had family over last night to show off my new toy and drew about a half gallon in short order. The first beer was as gorgeous and persistent as always. The last beer drawn was mine; it had a small head and the lacing basically went away a few seconds after each sip. The beer also seemed to be a bit on the flat side.
Is this normal? Am I only going to get a single pour at a time before things start to go flat? What should I do differently? I brew mostly for myself, but when I serve others I want it to look and to taste as good as possible.
I am definitely still in the learning stage. I did a StarSan purge before filling the keg, then set the regulator at about 14psi for 24 hours. I was extremely happy with my first pour both because of the carbonation level (when I bottled I often over or under carbed) and because I got an extremely persistent head and lacing.
After the first beer, I dialed the regulator back to about 3psi. First mistake. The next day the beer had very little head or lacing. So, I went back to 12psi and have left it there since. Normally I drink about 16 oz a day, and the beers have looked and tasted very good.
I had family over last night to show off my new toy and drew about a half gallon in short order. The first beer was as gorgeous and persistent as always. The last beer drawn was mine; it had a small head and the lacing basically went away a few seconds after each sip. The beer also seemed to be a bit on the flat side.
Is this normal? Am I only going to get a single pour at a time before things start to go flat? What should I do differently? I brew mostly for myself, but when I serve others I want it to look and to taste as good as possible.