Which beer faucets do you prefer and why?

[LittleRiver]

Can anyone comment on whether the flow control lever on either brand closes off the flow completely? ....

On all four of my Intertaps, the FC will completely shut off the flow.

 

[schmurf]

On all four of my Intertaps, the FC will completely shut off the flow.

Which version is that? I've got the 8473 model (I think) and it doesn't completely close.

 

[Nosnum08]

I have four Intertap FC faucets and none of them completely close. I put valves on each one of my beer lines to help ensure my Five year old doesn't unload 20 gallons of beer inside of the house.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I'm looking at keg land's flow control ball lock disconnects since they claim less foam than FC at the faucet (something about more head pressure producing less turbulence) so I can tweak flow once when I tap a keg and not bother with it any further. Anyone experienced with these??

 

[applescrap]

I use picnic taps and highly recommend.

 

[pocketmon]

I'm looking at keg land's flow control ball lock disconnects since they claim less foam than FC at the faucet (something about more head pressure producing less turbulence) so I can tweak flow once when I tap a keg and not bother with it any further. Anyone experienced with these??

Kegland Flow Control Keg Ball Locks?
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/index.php?threads/Kegland-Flow-Control-Keg-Ball-Locks?.669051/

 

[applescrap]

Apologies didnt have time for why. So why the picnic tap. Well after innocently using both for extended periods of time, years, I was leaning towards it anyways. Then I saw it in karnowskis book and was like aha. This is what I was looking for. 2 foot line with picnic tap. Simple, easy, sanitary. I highly recommend those covers as that was the ultimate downfall in the hot garage. Saw what you are all looking at on Amazon and I liked a good solid ss faucet. Something like this. I see recommendations for long lines and such but my experience led me right to what the book said. Ymmv.

 

[RonnieBiggs]

Neither...Side pull faucets have much more appeal. Although this question is damn near 100% personal preference as most people will say what they use is the best due to confirmation bias. Which is why I said side pull. Although, on the other side of my Bitburger tower is an Intertap flow control that is equally as good, but doesn't look as cool as my side pull. Prior to the Intertap, I had a Perlick flow control that was equally as good, but I wanted to see if there was a difference, so I got an Intertap, and they pour the same.View attachment 641020

Man that Pilsner Urquell tap is a Beauty.

 

[odie]

Mine are kinda a hybrid...found them on Albia (Chinese ebay)

1. they look like Intertaps on the outside
2. they have the removable, cleanable nozzles like Intertaps, and I can swap my bottle filler attachment onto it in a jiffy
3. they are like Perlicks on the inside (forward sealing but they don't have the shuttle thing inside). simple, not complex
4. they have a spring inside the shank that forces the faucet closed, no more faucet accidents

 

[Jayjay1976]

Mine are kinda a hybrid...found them on Albia (Chinese ebay)

1. they look like Intertaps on the outside
2. they have the removable, cleanable nozzles like Intertaps, and I can swap my bottle filler attachment onto it in a jiffy
3. they are like Perlicks on the inside (forward sealing but they don't have the shuttle thing inside). simple, not complex
4. they have a spring inside the shank that forces the faucet closed, no more faucet accidents

Sounds like you've got yourself a unicorn faucet!

 

[cnash]

I have all CMB V3S faucets and I think they are great.

 

[firerat]

Perlick because that's what I have.

If I build something else and need taps or my Perlicks stop Perlicking I may look into Intertaps just from the positive posts in this thread. And I'm cheap. Mostly I'm cheap.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I have all CMB V3S faucets and I think they are great.

Woo those are nice looking, i like the encapsulated spring design, it looks easy to maintain

 

[applescrap]

Perlick because that's what I have.

If I build something else and need taps or my Perlicks stop Perlicking I may look into Intertaps just from the positive posts in this thread. And I'm cheap. Mostly I'm cheap.

Cant beat the price of picnic taps. If you are building a keezer, just put the taps in the keezer.

 

[Wreck99]

Love my Perlicks. Never tried Intertaps.

 

[gotbeer74]

Have two Perlick 650 FC that work excellent. Once Brewhardware gets back in stock the Intertap FC, I'll be adding one to my keezer.

 

[Nate R]

Fwiw... i had Perlick flow control on my original first (aka- cheap web buy) kegerator. I sold that to a buddy and gave him the perlick fc with it.
I then purchased the (at the time new) intertap faucets. They seemed great- cheaper, stainless, and interchangeable ends.
I returned them and went with classic perlicks. I think the perlicks are heavier, feel smoother, and feel more complete.
Once i ran a keg of root beer for my nephew (don't ever do this!) And had to change all the rubber rings. Easy but it allowed me to see the faucet from the inside.
The Intertap is a good faucet and either is angood choice.

Here's my 0.02 on flow control- the best investment i made was a 4-way secondary regulator. Eliminates the need for a fc faucet all together. Changed my beer game!

 

[Cavpilot2000]

I have never owned Perlicks, but I have a new tap tower with non-FC Intertaps with the self-closing spring. I love them. I am running them with flow control ball-lock disconnects.
I really like the removable nozzle (I also got the growler barb nozzle).
I also have an intertap FC for a traveling party coolerator and it works pretty well too, but I'm glad I went with non-FC on my kegerator.

 

[cheesebach]

For flow control faucets, Perlick is the winner (I own both Perlick and Intertap). The intertap FC isn't as smooth and pours much more foam when restricting the flow much. I never use the FC mechanism on the intertap because of this. For standard faucets, I may lean towards the intertap for the ball lock connector capability.

 

[Robert65]

I agree with @cheesebach on the comparison in FC faucets. I don't use FC anymore though. For a time I thought the design of the non-FC Intertap made sense, and it may indeed give a more positive seal, but I've ultimately decided I just like the smooth, easy action and the superior (IMO) pour of Perlick. Worth a few extra bucks.

 

[odie]

I have secondary regs for each keg. I dial each one in for what is in the keg. I usually try to have a stout/porter on one, an IPA and then something lighter or seasonal

 

[cbier60]

Generic, non-forward sealing, chrome plated beer faucets. Cheap, simple, easy to clean. Pull handle, beer comes out. I’m not about the bling.

I can't imagine many are in your camp. These things are garbage, sticking and leaking. Maybe they'll do for a keg consumed in a day at a party or other event, but not for one on tap for a few weeks or more. And I wouldn't use anything but stainless; even the Perlick 525PC that I bought when I first started brewing but didn't realize otherwise, that was sold as SS, was total junk and had to be retired after 2-3 years.

I've had several SS Perlicks, 525 & 630, and then bought 2 Intertaps 3 years ago on sale for $26 apiece. I'd say the performance of all is fairly comparable, but I prefer the Intertaps for the versatility with the removable nozzle and much lower cost. All are stainless non-FC.

 

[grampamark]

I can't imagine many are in your camp. These things are garbage, sticking and leaking. Maybe they'll do for a keg consumed in a day at a party or other event, but not for one on tap for a few weeks or more. And I wouldn't use anything but stainless; even the Perlick 525PC that I bought when I first started brewing but didn't realize otherwise, that was sold as SS, was total junk and had to be retired after 2-3 years.

I've had several SS Perlicks, 525 & 630, and then bought 2 Intertaps 3 years ago on sale for $26 apiece. I'd say the performance of all is fairly comparable, but I prefer the Intertaps for the versatility with the removable nozzle and much lower cost. All are stainless non-FC.

I’m a tool user, not a tool snob. I’ve been using the same faucets since I put my kegerator together 6 years ago. They don’t stick, they don’t leak, and they’re easy to clean and maintain. You simply have to be smarter than what you’re working with to use them.

 

[cbier60]

Sorry you interpreted my response as that of a tool snob. I'm glad you've had such luck with them. I guess not all of us are as smart as a chrome-plated piece of brass.

 

[cfrazier77]

I used to use Perlicks, and had a leak issue. They were the non flow control. it is because the ball does not press against the o ring with uniform pressure because it is moving in a pivoting motion. The Intertaps I have now make uniform pressure. Perlicks, have to change the o ring every once in a while, Intertaps should last longer. Both are very good though.

 

[Robert65]

I used to use Perlicks, and had a leak issue. They were the non flow control. it is because the ball does not press against the o ring with uniform pressure because it is moving in a pivoting motion. The Intertaps I have now make uniform pressure. Perlicks, have to change the o ring every once in a while, Intertaps should last longer. Both are very good though.

I had that problem with Perlick knockoffs, but not real ones. Perlick is way easier to clean (can CIP.)

 

[cfrazier77]

I had that problem with Perlick knockoffs, but not real ones. Perlick is way easier to clean (can CIP.)

Mine were real Perlicks, I bet I had gotten them from morebeer. The cost of a oring is cheap. I went with Intertaps because I am going from a 3 tap system to a 6. Otherwise I would have just got an oring. One thing I do like about Perlicks better is that the inside of the spout is smoother.

 

[day_trippr]

I used to use Perlicks, and had a leak issue. They were the non flow control. it is because the ball does not press against the o ring with uniform pressure because it is moving in a pivoting motion.[...]

Nope.

Cheers!

 

[bovine_OB]

Intertap... Only because they are what I have! No issues with them in 3 years, and have no experience with others.

 

[Stand]

I know some people had problems, but my Perlick 525SS taps have been in continuous use for 9 years without issues.

Still using original O rings as well. I clean lines and taps pretty regularly and use keg lubricant before reassembly.

Heard good things about both. Forward sealing is great.