Beer Dispensing

[nabs478]

My taps I just installed tend to foam up the first beer that I pour out of it a bit, then any subsequent beers I pour right away dont get nearly as much head. The foamin up isnt excessive, I probably get about 30mm on the first beer then 5 to 10 on subsequent beers.

There arent bubbles forming in the lines, so I am not sure what is causing it.

Any ideas?

 

[kirem]

I sometimes have the same problem. I think it is due to the taps are at a higher temperature than the beer, once the taps cool down to the beer temperature then no foaming.

 

[fraser_john]

Hmmm, can be caused by temperature differential between the keg, the line and the tap! Mine is the same, the taps heat up on the outside and it causes a bit of foaminess!

Check your lines before pouring and see if there are co2 bubbles in the line, could be your system is not "balanced", see the wiki for a great document on balancing a draft system.

To solve the temperature differential in the lines/keg, people set up a small computer fan inside the fridge to circulate air.

 

[mckenry]

My taps I just installed tend to foam up the first beer that I pour out of it a bit, then any subsequent beers I pour right away dont get nearly as much head. The foamin up isnt excessive, I probably get about 30mm on the first beer then 5 to 10 on subsequent beers.

There arent bubbles forming in the lines, so I am not sure what is causing it.

Any ideas?

30mm is a good head! It probably is the temp diff doing it. Are you using cold glasses? If so, putting warm(er) beer into a cold glass will do it. Just get a bigger glass :beer: I wouldnt worry about it. When youre getting glass after glass of foam, its time to attempt balancing your system.
Cheers.

 

[nabs478]

Thanks for your help.

It will definately be the temp difference. I have put a fair bit of time into understanding how all these temperature/pressures/flow rates relate to each other and am sure that is other wise in balance.

Its not really a problem. The beers are always fizzy, and like mckenry says, 30mm is a good head, so I just pull the glasses away for the others to get more head. I was just wondering why it happened.

Also, I do use cold glasses. I bought a fridge/freezer and have a glasses rack in the freezer. Its awesome. You guys should all do it!