Tap/Faucet question

[JonClayton]

Still a noob just getting started, so here we go.

I have a faucet now that I can use, I just need to replace the hose and the disconnects to make it work with a corny keg. However, at first I will be using this inside a fridge, so I will not be mounting the faucet externally and running a line back in to the fridge. Would I be better off getting one of tap/faucet combos that connect straight to the keg without hose? Would I hurt anything to save money by using the faucet i have now and having excess hose curled up in the fridge?


Lastly, I someone told me that I have to clear the lines by dumping a glass of beer every time I get ready to use the draft. Is this true?

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

someone told me that I have to clear the lines by dumping a glass of beer every time I get ready to use the draft. Is this true?

Yes, you must dump the glass of beer in your mouth and swallow it...every time!

 

[JonClayton]

Thats my type of line cleaning I thought this was more the case, would seem very wasteful to dump a glass daily.

Thank you.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Yeah, whoever gave you that info is wrong, why would you have to pour a glass to clear your line?

Maybe that person thinks the beer goes flat in the line. There is a reason we use beer hose, and calculate the proper length necessary for a good pour.

Keep searching here on HBT, there is a ton of great info, that is more accurate than someone who thinks they know about all things brewing related

Cheers!

 

[JonClayton]

Thanks, any thoughts on my first question?

 

[JuanMoore]

Many people (myslef included) notice a plastic or rubber taste imparted by the beer lines if it sits for more than a couple hours. The options are to buy special beer lines with a barrier liner, or dump the first 2-3 oz of beer if it's been sitting for a while. This may be what they were referring to. If you're interested in the different lines, see here-

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/beer-line-tests-solution-plastic-taste-60380/

As far as using the faucet, it would be clumsy and awkward, but wouldn't hurt anything. Instead of the more costly shank that connects to the keg directly, you could just get a plastic cobra faucet. I think they only cost $4-$5.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Many people (myslef included) notice a plastic or rubber taste imparted by the beer lines if it sits for more than a couple hours. The options are to buy special beer lines with a barrier liner, or dump the first 2-3 oz of beer if it's been sitting for a while. This may be what they were referring to. If you're interested in the different lines, see here-

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/beer-line-tests-solution-plastic-taste-60380/

Just like Bobby_M said in that thread, the taste is so diluted in a 16oz glass, that it is hard to taste. I won't waste beer by pouring off 3oz each time, the fruits of my labors are much to important to waste

 

[JuanMoore]

Just like Bobby_M said in that thread, the taste is so diluted in a 16oz glass, that it is hard to taste. I won't waste beer by pouring off 3oz each time, the fruits of my labors are much to important to waste

Might be too diluted for you or ****yM to taste, but not for others like myself who are more sensitive to it. I could dilute it in a 32 oz glass and it would still completely ruin the beer for me. I don't like wasting beer either, which is why I use the special barrier line.

 

[jfkriege]

Pubs who have hand pumps, like the Angram hand pumps for cask conditioned ale will often pour off a pint at the beginning of the night before the customers arrive. I would not pour off a pint for a force carbonated beer.

 

[bradneal]

As far as using the faucet, it would be clumsy and awkward, but wouldn't hurt anything. Instead of the more costly shank that connects to the keg directly, you could just get a plastic cobra faucet. I think they only cost $4-$5.

That's exactly what I would recommend. They are very handy to have around, and you also have have it available in the event you want to setup a party keg somewhere off-premises.

 

[bendavanza]

Jon
having a balance draft system involves a constant co2 pressure and temperature, an dthe right resistance on the line for that pressure and temp.
For most keg users it's at least 6 foot of 3/16" ID beverage tubing and 12psi at around 38-40˚F. There are many workarounds to get beer out of the keg without a complete foam party but they are workarounds, the most common being the party pump and picnic faucet. In this case, already carbonated beer is pumped out with normal air through a pump and it moves the already carbed beer out of the hose and into your glass. This is a temporary solution because normal air has oxygen and that is detrimental to your precious beer, and it will begin to taste like cardboard after a day. If you have a co2 tank and regulator, you can use just a few psi from that to push carbonated beer through a short line or directly connected faucet, and the beer will not get oxidized, but it will go flat sooner than later, the co2 will break out unless a steady pressure of lets say 12psi at 38-40˚ is maintained. With a long enough line to provide the resistance, you can have a normal head beer draft at the pressure and temp that is was designed for.