Wild Foamy Beer

[Partsier]

I know there are a lot of topics out about this issue, but every one that I have read and attempted to listen to provided no remedy to my situation.


I am new to the Home Draft Beer world. I picked up a Danby Kegerator last week, and a 1/4 of Original Amber Yuengling. I read that pressures must be around 10, so i set the regulator at 10 cranked the fridge down to its lowest point (36) and let it sit for at least 24 hours. The following evening I was excited to pour my first draft, and was disappointed when it came out 90% foam. I did the research, people recommended a 33k ohm resistor in the temperature circut. I did it, and got my ambient temp to hover between 28 and 32. Another day passed, Giving my beer time to settle and acclimate to the new lower temp. My first pour was yet again 90% foam, and all pours after that were 50%. Reading more about danby, people recommended a home made tower cooler. I rigged my 3 inch computer fan, with ducttape and 3/4 inch conduit. I am now cooling the faucet to about 40 degrees.
I read that maybe the beer is too cold, so i warmed the temp up to hovering between 37-40. I tried low pressure, high pressure. Now every glass i get from my tower is about 95% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOAM!
I read that twists and kinks and sags in the beer line are bad, I rereouted them in my best possible spiral with fewest drops from keg to spout. Nothing worked. I checked double checked, cleaned and double cleaned all the lines tap and spout. I disassembled as far as i could. Still 95% foam, every time. As soon as the beer hits air, it vaporizes into foam. When the foam settles, it is a perfect flat beer. I dont like flat beer.

Anyone with anything to help me, I would appreciate it. I feel like crying after spending an initial $500 on this system and not getting any good beers. Thanks in advance.

 

[profarm]

what size line are you using and how long is the line? I was using 3/16" line at only about 5ft. Then I switched to 1/4" and used 8ft... no more foam

 

[day_trippr]

The question about inside diameter and length of the beer lines is a good one - I recommend 3/16" ID lines 10 feet in length. For most applications you need a good 20 feet of line to get 1/4" ID tubing to work well...

Cheers!

 

[brewhappy]

Are you pouring it correctly? Most people that pour foamy beer from kegs are not pouring correctly. Be sure to quickly open the tap all the way and hold your glass at a 45 degree angle until it is about full and then set the glass straight. Be sure to open and close the faucet quickly and completely.

I use about 8 ft of 3/16 line. I don't have a tower cooler so the first beer I pull off each day is more foamy than the rest of them.

I would turn off the pressure. Release the pressure from the keg. Let the keg sit in the fridge at your desired temperature for a couple days. Then retap it and set the pressure at about 1-3 psi, just enough to barely push it out. After you pull some beers off it it should slow down considerably, at which point you can up the psi to around 6-8 and see if you like it there. Basically you can just keep upping it until you are getting the desired carbonation level back in the keg.

 

[Partsier]

I am not sure currently of the inside diameter of the line. I do know that it is only about 5ft long, if that. It is the standard line in the kegerator.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...053&langId=-1&keyword=Kegerator&storeId=10051

I wouldnt have a problem purchasing new line if it would fix it. But with 10 feet of 3/16 line, I would have a massive amount of twisting in the line.

Also, I am pouring the beer at a 45 degree angle, and have tried various distances from touching the glass to 3 inches. Like I said earlier, as soon as the beer leave the faucet, it is foam. I can pour into a bowl, at about 6 inches between the bowl and faucet, and the beer is completely foam, when it exits the faucet. I also AM opening, completely, and quickly, the faucet when i dispense a glass.

 

[day_trippr]

You take your 10 foot long 3/16" ID beer line and just coil it on top of the keg. No big whoop.

What's more important, screwing around with foamy flat beer or spending a few bucks and a little time to be able to actually enjoy your brew?

Hint available upon request...

Cheers!

 

[Partsier]

Sounds good haha! Just a small update here,,,
I have had my CO2 set at 10 psi for about 12 hours now. I purge the keg, and get a massive amount of excess CO2 gas, far greater then 10 psi, once it is purged, it emits a steady stream of CO2, but in a much lower volume, akin to 10 psi in my opinion. Which makes me think my regulator is faulty, but still any opinions are appreciated! It builds up to the massive amount mentioned earlier in about 5 mins.

 

[Partsier]

Another quick update,,, I turned my regulator down to zero, and it was still pumping co2, it took 4-5 turns to completely shut it off. Using what i believe to be 4-6 psi, i get a perfect pour with 1/8 inch of foam. a few more psi and ill have it perfect! Tomorrow a new regulator, and tomorrow evening (hopefully) good beer!