kegerator beers

android · Dec 5, 2009

just curious if anyone else has experienced anything similar to this before...

it seems like my beers that have been in the kegerator for a while (4+ weeks) are starting to lose the head they once had... i don't know if it's the garage cooling down, thereby cooling the fridge and allowing more CO2 to dissolve and not come out when poured or what... i know it isn't a empty CO2 tank, it just seems weird to me... anyone else ever experience anything like this?

android · Dec 6, 2009

i'm really having a hard time figuring this one out... anyone?? could it be that the poppets aren't working right? do any of you have to oil those or lube them or anything to keep them working properly?

Kaner · Dec 7, 2009

I just finished a batch of Irish red ale that was in the kegerator for two weeks carbonating, then a little over two weeks while I drank it, so a total of just over 4 weeks. Towards the end of the keg I had to knock the psi down from 12 (what it sat at the entire time) to about 8 because it was giving me way too much head. Mine is in the kitchen area so my guess would be that you may be losing CO2 because of the temp drop but I am still a noob so maybe someone else has a different opinion on the subject.

IrregularPulse · Dec 7, 2009

You have a collar or tap box? f tap box, could been your lines were warmer causing the foam you were seeing, Now that it's cold in the garage your lines have cooled down stopping this.

android · Dec 7, 2009

it's a converted fridge, so the lines are full enclosed inside with the kegs... i need to get a thermometer in there and find out what's going on... i'm also thinking it might be a problem with the gas-in (poppet or seal or something) on the keg because my porter seems particularly affected by this. not nearly the nice head i was getting and i still get a decent head on the IPA & Oktoberfest...

menschmaschine · Dec 7, 2009

Is it a head retention issue or a carbonation issue?

JesseRC · Dec 7, 2009

Nah, its the colder weather. The taps aren't warm, so the beers pours fine without any co2 coming out of solution. You could either up the psi ( I wouldnt) or pour into a heavy room temp mug/glass. Or partially close the tap towards the end of the pour to agitate and create some head. My kegerator sits outside and its doing the same thing.