Intertap beer faucets

[day_trippr]

Sadly, Brad used the same fubar'd math as 99% of the purported line calculators, getting the line resistance wrong (by ~300%!) at the flow rates we actually use for dispensing beer.

I like Mike! - or alternatively, 1 foot of 3/16" ID/7/16" OD solid PVC tubing per psi of CO2...

Cheers!

 

[augiedoggy]

Sadly, Brad used the same fubar'd math as 99% of the purported line calculators, getting the line resistance wrong (by ~300%!) at the flow rates we actually use for dispensing beer.

I like Mike! - or alternatively, 1 foot of 3/16" ID/7/16" OD solid PVC tubing per psi of CO2...

Cheers!

Thats the calculator I ended up using actually..

 

[MaryB]

Beer in my lines is never flat first pour of the night... It is under the same pressure as the keg so should stay carbonated just fine.

This was my experience with the flow control intertaps vs flow control perlicks and standard perlicks too, I thought I was the only one experiencing it. The self closing option tempted me to pick up the non flow control versions. I hope it wasn't a mistake and they will work well on the jocky box. Actually I was going to order 650ss from ritebrew, but they went OOS, so I thought I'd try the regular intertaps this time around. Fingers Crossed!

My perlick 525SS seem to flow the smoothest out of the taps I have, but I like the flow control perlicks too if you don't mind pouring a bit slower. (I don't have any 630s).

For tubing I just use the cheap amazon vinyl (100ft for $20). I have tasted no plastic (which I have even tasted out of new regular beer line from the LHBS). As for the beer that sits in the lines, well it's usually flat anyways, so I just dump it. I'd love to try that fancy line you have though, just not willing to shell out for it.

 

[Justintoxicated]

Beer in my lines is never flat first pour of the night... It is under the same pressure as the keg so should stay carbonated just fine.

my experience is that when i let beer sit in the lines all week it's gotten flat and oxidized. It's not really under the same pressure add the rest of the keg, i mean reducing pressure is the whole purpose of using longer lines. Using bevflex or cheap Amazon stuff it had the same problem, might happen a bit sooner with the cheap stuff.

I haven't tried that super expensive hard to work with stuff though. I know people who tried it and didn't like it and others that swear by it. I just toss the little bit sitting in the faucet and line not a big deal for me seems to be what all the breweries do as well.

i just bought a beer line cleaning pump so if i find it not too annoying i might consider switching someday, after i finish up this box of oetiker clamps.

Just got my 2 new intertaps, hoping to test them out soon as I'm not sick anymore. going to take them apart and inspect for metal flakes first.

 

[doug293cz]

... It's not really under the same pressure [as] the rest of the keg, i mean reducing pressure is the whole purpose of using longer lines. ...

Nope. That's not how it works. You only get a pressure drop in the lines when the beer is flowing, and the pressure drop is a function of flow velocity (and a bunch of other things.) Zero flow equals zero pressure drop. That's the physics.

Brew on

 

[Justintoxicated]

Nope. That's not how it works. You only get a pressure drop in the lines when the beer is flowing, and the pressure drop is a function of flow velocity (and a bunch of other things.) Zero flow equals zero pressure drop. That's the physics.

Brew on

They seemed to have skipped beer line theory in my physics class.

 

[augiedoggy]

I never took a physics class myself with my simple education but I think if something is kept under the same amount of pressure its going to retain the same amount of c02 regardless of shape its squeezed into as long as the temps are the same.... I have found the amount of carbonation does change though depending on the temp of the hose its stored in.. I used to have a 8 ft line coming out of my old kegerator fridge to remote towers and the first pour would not be good... followed by foam until the line cooled down if I remember right..

 

[The_Bishop]

Doesn't have anything to do with beer line theory, it's just basic hydraulics.

As far as the beer in the line going flat: I have Bev-Seal Ultra lines in my kegorator. A few months ago I decided that after over a year, I should change out the lines. Swapped out the lines for the EJ Beverage Ultra Barrier stuff. It was easier to work with, and I didn't get any plastic flavors in the line but I did notice that the material the lines are made of definitely seemed to be CO2-permeable. The volume of beer in the lines, if not flat, was *very* lightly carbonated compared to the next ounce or two that was drawn up fresh from the keg. I swapped back to the Bev-Seal Ultra lines and the issue went away.

For what it's worth, I have good air circulation in my kegorator and the tower is forced air cooled. It wan't a foaming issue.

 

[doug293cz]

Doesn't have anything to do with beer line theory, it's just basic hydraulics.

As far as the beer in the line going flat: I have Bev-Seal Ultra lines in my kegorator. A few months ago I decided that after over a year, I should change out the lines. Swapped out the lines for the EJ Beverage Ultra Barrier stuff. It was easier to work with, and I didn't get any plastic flavors in the line but I did notice that the material the lines are made of definitely seemed to be CO2-permeable. The volume of beer in the lines, if not flat, was *very* lightly carbonated compared to the next ounce or two that was drawn up fresh from the keg. I swapped back to the Bev-Seal Ultra lines and the issue went away.

For what it's worth, I have good air circulation in my kegorator and the tower is forced air cooled. It wan't a foaming issue.

Loss of CO2 in lines due to line permeability is a definite possibility. Will be affected by line material and wall thickness.

Brew on

 

[MaryB]

I use the standard vinyl beer line... never noticed any plastic taste but I do clean with BLC every 3-4 kegs and I flush them with StarSan after every keg. But the 12' lines are inside my fridge at 38 degrees...

 

[kdw2pd]

Does anyone know of a source to purchase a replacement tap shuttle for the chrome non-flow control Intertap faucets?

In a genius move, I managed to lose the tap coupling washer (#8 at http://www.intertap.beer/Downloads/Intertap 8039.pdf) after disassembling for cleaning. I know there are replacement seal kits, but I figured I'd take a shot locally first. I took the faucet (with tap shuttle) to Lowes, couldn't find a washer. However, apparently the shuttle managed to fall out of my pocket somewhere along the way. No luck finding it at Lowes.

I really like my Intertaps, but would really prefer not to have to buy a new faucet just to replace a part.

 

[okiedog]

kdw2pd, I would first try your supplier. Where did you buy your faucet(s)?

 

[whisky_monkey]

Buyer beware for those who are thinking about buying the Perlick/Intertap hybrid from Aliexpress. I bought this one that was listed in earlier posts:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Ame...35474.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000013.4.h29e6T

Before purchasing, I was a bit dubious of the shank being claimed to be stainless steel due to the color in the photo. I specifically confirmed with the seller before placing order which he assured me that "everything is stainless". When I got the tap, I was immediately alarmed by the color. And after a night's soak in StarSan, it was confirmed that the shank/nut was indeed chromed brass (and the interior was not chromed at all, in fact). What is even more disappointed is that the interior spout area was neither machined or passivated. It's really rough and has a yellow/rust coating on it. Not sure if I wanted to use this on my keezer... hopefully the seller will correct this and take it back...

 

[augiedoggy]

Buyer beware for those who are thinking about buying the Perlick/Intertap hybrid from Aliexpress. I bought this one that was listed in earlier posts:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Ame...35474.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000013.4.h29e6T

Before purchasing, I was a bit dubious of the shank being claimed to be stainless steel due to the color in the photo. I specifically confirmed with the seller before placing order which he assured me that "everything is stainless". When I got the tap, I was immediately alarmed by the color. And after a night's soak in StarSan, it was confirmed that the shank/nut was indeed chromed brass (and the interior was not chromed at all, in fact). What is even more disappointed is that the interior spout area was neither machined or passivated. It's really rough and has a yellow/rust coating on it. Not sure if I wanted to use this on my keezer... hopefully the seller will correct this and take it back...

Ive ordered 16 taps from there now and they are all stainless except the one that didnt say it was... mine were all ordered with the short shanks however. you and see them in the pics I shred earlier in this thread... They do not look like that. its unfortunate. most of mine were ordered from this seller,
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Ame...32806434892.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.KIS7Bf
and also ordered 2 from this seller
https://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot...&orderId=81591020648005&productId=32453833489

I bought one from vidric early on and it was not as advertised either.. he was supposed to ship me the stout nitro faucet and sent me a standard one instead..
Im sorry I linked that one earlier... like I said mine are clearly stainless but have the different shorter shank as well. That whole tap assy appears to be the common standard brass type.

 

[whisky_monkey]

Hi Augiedoggy,

Were your non vidric taps fully machined? I can take the loss of the shank, but the rough cast interior really pissed me off.

And it's not a good feeling when contacting the seller about this issue I got a nasty response accusing me of being "stupid fake buyer". Let's see if Aliexpress can settles this for a refund (not worth my money shipping it back...

Sigh~~

 

[augiedoggy]

Hi Augiedoggy,

Were your non vidric taps fully machined? I can take the loss of the shank, but the rough cast interior really pissed me off.

And it's not a good feeling when contacting the seller about this issue I got a nasty response accusing me of being "stupid fake buyer". Let's see if Aliexpress can settles this for a refund (not worth my money shipping it back...

Sigh~~

no mine were rough inside as well (though MUCH smoother than your pics looking at them now) but I havent seen it as an issue as it hasnt effected its function at all in my case.. I realize these are like 1/3rd or less of what the original perlicks sold for.

 

[whisky_monkey]

Much thanks. I just want to make sure what to expect.

 

[cfrazier77]

Interesting, I just received this email.

Subject: What you sent to Kee.

We checked into what you wrote about the Owner of VentMatic and found all of it" to be totally incorrect."

You should be glad the so called old guy in Vas did not see the BS you put out.

We checked all the public court records.

And found all of what you said is wrong.

Where ever you got your information is probably form the people who lost in court and are trying to save face and the rumor mill of simpletons who know nothing but thing they do to look important.

If you would like the real skinny do a litte digging and just ask the old guy in Vas. We did. A real eye opener. Just give VentMatic Company 7025254107 a call, the old guy my talk to you, that is if you have the guts after putting out your slanderous gunk. And when you find the real facts rewright your story, apologise to the Old Guy, and change your tune.

Amber

It is from [email protected]

I googled the address and got this.

Bradford G Amidzich
cake 1945-02-16
map Pewaukee, WI
local_phone +1 703-731-1842
email [email protected]
Related People
favorite Fonda Sue Amidzich, 52 , relative
favorite Kit Deann Amidzich, 35 , relative
favorite Kurt B Amidzich, 75 , relative
local_phone Bradford G Amidzich's Phone Numbers
Phone Number Location Connection
+1 414-259-7800 Milwaukee, WI work
+1 703-731-1842 Virginia cell
email Bradford G Amidzich's Emails
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
map Bradford G Amidzich's Addresses
Street Address State Zip
30-W23789 Green RD WI 53072-5739
2281 N Swan BLVD WI 53226
23789 Pewaukee RD WI 53072
34339 Venice Beach RD WI 53066-5048
4140 W Good Hope RD WI 53209-2248
school Bradford G Amidzich's Education
School Major Title
work Bradford G Amidzich's Work Experience
Company Title Start End
Disabled American Veterans
Ventmatic Company Inc
account_circle Bradford G Amidzich's Aliases
First Name Middle Name Last Name
people Bradford G Amidzich's Relatives
First Name Last Name DOB Relationship
Fonda Amidzich 1964-11-12 relative
Kit Amidzich 1981 relative
Kurt Amidzich 1942-07-29 relative
face
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First Name Middle Name Last Name Age
Bradford G Amidzich 72

Interesting....

 

[augiedoggy]

What exactly did you say that would be incorrect again?

 

[cfrazier77]

I have no idea.

 

[Justintoxicated]

Despite my previous intertap bashing (well not bashing, just opinion that they are not as good of quality as Perlicks) they have been working extremely well on my portable generator cooler contraption. Taps with spring back handles are a must on something that gets wheeled around at parties and shoved into the back of a vehicle. Although the flow isn't as perfect as my perlicks they have been working just fine and I have been getting great pours.

 

[augiedoggy]

BTW the intertaps are again available on aliexpress to be shipped to the states from brewmaster. But unfortunately there is no savings over ebays prices as their was in the past.. He also no longer has any flow control models for sale.

 

[metaltim]

So I've read through this entire thread, every post, and have a few questions. First I want to say what a whirlwind of a thread!

Preface: I got 4 free perlick 525SS on craigslist, and I want to upgrade to 6 taps, and thinking I might switch to intertap. I'm not crazy about my 525s, they just don't seem to close with certainty. You can still move the handle back and forth in the closed position. I put in all new orings. And they drip like 10-12 times after a pour.

Anyway a few questions from reading this thread:

*Now that it seems all the dust has settled on the ventamatic/intertap deal, it seems there are several well known US retailers selling the intertap (williams, birdman, morebeer, ritebrew). I assume this is the way to go now? Not through some overseas outfit?

*I also saw in this thread many times, on the aliexpress, the word 'clone' used for perlicks and intertap. What is going on with all that? Back to question 1. Are these clones cheaper or something?

*Regarding cleaning lines; I read several good ideas on here, especially usnig the intertap ball lock spout. I did see several people wondering how big of a pump they needed depending on how many taps they were cleaning.. My question is, can you not just use an extra keg, filled with cleaner/sanitizer of your choice, and use CO2 to push it all through your series of faucets/hoses? Why are some of you buying $50+ pumps to do this? What is the advantage? (Or disadvantage of CO2)

*I've noticed discussion on the john guest fittings and the bev seal ultra tubing. That looks really great and easy, but will any other hoses fit on the john guest fittings? (specifically looking at the ones on ritebrew.com) I've never used them before. What Id/od does the tube need to be?. My current tubing is id/od - 3/16" - 7/16". Or am I overthinking this and they make JG fittings for all sizes of tubing? This can obviously done later over time.

*Ritebrew seems to be the winner on price for the intertapss FC. I can get 6 shipped for $229, or $38 and change a piece. Any better deal out there? What I don't know for sure is if they are the G2. Birdman specifically lists them as, and they have the 3 packs for cheap (but shipping is not spectacular)

So do Perlicks still hold their value? Want to unload the 4 I have. Seems the retail price is still up there.

 

[augiedoggy]

So I've read through this entire thread, every post, and have a few questions. First I want to say what a whirlwind of a thread!

Preface: I got 4 free perlick 525SS on craigslist, and I want to upgrade to 6 taps, and thinking I might switch to intertap. I'm not crazy about my 525s, they just don't seem to close with certainty. You can still move the handle back and forth in the closed position. I put in all new orings. And they drip like 10-12 times after a pour.

Anyway a few questions from reading this thread:

*Now that it seems all the dust has settled on the ventamatic/intertap deal, it seems there are several well known US retailers selling the intertap (williams, birdman, morebeer, ritebrew). I assume this is the way to go now? Not through some overseas outfit?

*I also saw in this thread many times, on the aliexpress, the word 'clone' used for perlicks and intertap. What is going on with all that? Back to question 1. Are these clones cheaper or something?

*Regarding cleaning lines; I read several good ideas on here, especially usnig the intertap ball lock spout. I did see several people wondering how big of a pump they needed depending on how many taps they were cleaning.. My question is, can you not just use an extra keg, filled with cleaner/sanitizer of your choice, and use CO2 to push it all through your series of faucets/hoses? Why are some of you buying $50+ pumps to do this? What is the advantage? (Or disadvantage of CO2)

*I've noticed discussion on the john guest fittings and the bev seal ultra tubing. That looks really great and easy, but will any other hoses fit on the john guest fittings? (specifically looking at the ones on ritebrew.com) I've never used them before. What Id/od does the tube need to be?. My current tubing is id/od - 3/16" - 7/16". Or am I overthinking this and they make JG fittings for all sizes of tubing? This can obviously done later over time.

*Ritebrew seems to be the winner on price for the intertapss FC. I can get 6 shipped for $229, or $38 and change a piece. Any better deal out there? What I don't know for sure is if they are the G2. Birdman specifically lists them as, and they have the 3 packs for cheap (but shipping is not spectacular)

So do Perlicks still hold their value? Want to unload the 4 I have. Seems the retail price is still up there.

Whether you go thru a US distributor and pay the additional markup fees or not its your choice... in the end you will still get the same chinese made taps, there are no known knockoffs of these intertap facuets. There are clones of the now discontinued perlick taps that also have the interchangeable tips that are interchangeable with the intertap tips. (discontinued because of a patent dispute) I have compared perlick branded faucets to these clones and they are almost indistinguishable with the parts from one being fully interchangeable with the other.

I know its a lot to read and its confusing because of incorrect assuptions made by people in it but you should have noticed every link mentioning these distinctly different clones shows the spring loaded oring and ball perlick design taps with the similar interchangeable tips and not the intertaps.
I bought both from aliexpress. At the time my stainless flow control intertap brand facuets were $32 shipped from aliexpress and the same thing through williams was $50 plus shipping so I literally got 2 for the price of one but the difference was ventomatic didnt get royalites for the design it feels was stolen from them by kegking (intertap) everywhere else in the world the australian branded intertaps sold for less because of this patent issue in the US which now seems to have been resolved and the prices dropped slightly.
btw all of kegkings products are made in china and available fromthe manufacturers on aliexpress complete with the kegking retail packaging.. I also bought one of thier beerguns there for $38 shipped a couple years back.
That said lets take the basic plated brass taps for example $13 with free shipping per tap vs $18 plus shipping for the same tap may be worth it for "support" if you are only ordering one or two but if your ordering 6 you would still come out way ahead even if the unlikey event that half of them needed to be replaced shortly after purchasing...

 

[brew703]

I am using two Intertap FC taps that I ordered from Ritebrew. I've only had them in use about 2 weeks and so for no issues. These are my first faucets so I cannot compare to Perlicks.

As for the JG Fittings, I use them with the Bev Seal Ultra tubing. It literally took me 30 sec to attached the fittings and hose. Definitely recommend if you go that route. If you are referring to the Bev Seal Ultra tubing from Ritebrew, that's what I am using and works with the JG fittings.

Line Cleaning: I currently use a hand pump but I only have two taps. I also have a pump that I may down the line use for cleaning the lines. I just think people use a cheap pump (<$15) instead of wasting CO2. How much of CO2 you would use to clean the lines IDK.

 

[metaltim]

Whether you go thru a US distributor and pay the additional markup fees or not its your choice... in the end you will still get the same chinese made taps, there are no known knockoffs of these intertap facuets. There are clones of the now discontinued perlick taps that also have the interchangeable tips that are interchangeable with the intertap tips. (discontinued because of a patent dispute) I have compared perlick branded faucets to these clones and they are almost indistinguishable with the parts from one being fully interchangeable with the other.

I know its a lot to read and its confusing because of incorrect assuptions made by people in it but you should have noticed every link mentioning these distinctly different clones shows the spring loaded oring and ball perlick design taps with the similar interchangeable tips and not the intertaps.
I bought both from aliexpress. At the time my stainless flow control intertap brand facuets were $32 shipped from aliexpress and the same thing through williams was $50 plus shipping so I literally got 2 for the price of one but the difference was ventomatic didnt get royalites for the design it feels was stolen from them by kegking (intertap) everywhere else in the world the australian branded intertaps sold for less because of this patent issue in the US which now seems to have been resolved and the prices dropped slightly.
btw all of kegkings products are made in china and available fromthe manufacturers on aliexpress complete with the kegking retail packaging.. I also bought one of thier beerguns there for $38 shipped a couple years back.
That said lets take the basic plated brass taps for example $13 with free shipping per tap vs $18 plus shipping for the same tap may be worth it for "support" if you are only ordering one or two but if your ordering 6 you would still come out way ahead even if the unlikey event that half of them needed to be replaced shortly after purchasing...

I see the intertap flow controls on rite brew for $38 a piece, with $1 shipping (rite brew). Are you saying I can get it for cheaper from overseas?

Line Cleaning: I currently use a hand pump but I only have two taps. I also have a pump that I may down the line use for cleaning the lines. I just think people use a cheap pump (<$15) instead of wasting CO2. How much of CO2 you would use to clean the lines IDK.

I figure you're pushing one keg worth of cleaner or sanitizer to clean all taps. What is that, 1/4 pound of CO2? Negligible. The pump I was referencing that someone linked on amazon was $50. That's what got me wondering; he would never use that much CO2 to clean lines in a lifetime. It made me think I was missing something.

 

[augiedoggy]

I see the intertap flow controls on rite brew for $38 a piece, with $1 shipping (rite brew). Are you saying I can get it for cheaper from overseas?



I figure you're pushing one keg worth of cleaner or sanitizer to clean all taps. What is that, 1/4 pound of CO2? Negligible. The pump I was referencing that someone linked on amazon was $50. That's what got me wondering; he would never use that much CO2 to clean lines in a lifetime. It made me think I was missing something.

What I actually said was they used to cost more locally and the prices have dropped. when I bought my flow controls for $35.50 (they were 32 when I bought them) here https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hig...00001060668.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.EDphf9 they were $50 locally + shipping. and right after I posted that on this thread the seller was shut down from being able to sell these to the united states because the local distributors couldnt compete apparently while intertap supplied them after paying the royalty fees to ventomatic even though they didnt invent them... but all thats in this thread already. the cost of these has been dropping the longer they have been on the market. just look at what people are trying to unload them for on ebay.

 

[metaltim]

I initially said "Now that it seems all the dust has settled on the ventamatic/intertap deal, it seems there are several well known US retailers selling the intertap. I assume this is the way to go now? Not through some overseas outfit?"

You replied with "Whether you go thru a US distributor and pay the additional markup fees or not its your choice" That sounded current tense to me, and that you are inferring it's still currently cheaper overseas. As I'm looking to make the purchase now, I'm not concerned with how it used to be. I mean today.

 

[augiedoggy]

Yes rite brew has the best prices ive seen in a while. I would buy from there today but it contantly changes as this thread has pointed out last I checked before today based on your comments it wasnt the case..then again if I searched more I likely could find some seller selling them cheaper.
I made my first comment based on the info I remembered from then and also to clarify on your followed implied comments about there being intertap clones.. But I guess you could have done quick google search using the links in this thread and determined all that yourself so im not sure why you asked either? Especially since you already had the answers? Simple misunderstanding and communication I suppose.

 

[metaltim]

Alright, we it's done. Rite brew seemed to be the cheapest US vendor I could find.

6 Intertap Gen2 (confirmed with ritebrew) flow control faucets
1 growler spout
1 ball lock spout

All for $242 and change plus $2 shipping.

Picked up a stout spout for $7 free shipping on aliexpress.

Pretty excited. I just sold some old rear sealing faucets that I 'inherited' for $40, and I hope to get about $100 for my 4 Perlick 525SS which I got for free on craigslist, putting me out of pocket only about $100.

Another question for cleaning lines; is it more effective to go opposite the direction of beer flow? (in other words, into faucet and towards QD) or does it not make a difference?
Trying to decide whether or not I want 4 more of the ball lock spouts allowing me to go entirely either in normal OR reverse direction, or pick up 3 of BobbyMs ball lock jumper post, which would mean half of the lines are reverse flow, and half are normal flow direction.
https://www.brewhardware.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Ball_Lock_JumperPost&CartID=1