Beer Line Length Calculator
This is a calculator to estimate the length of a beer line for optimal performance when building or setting-up a kegerator. This is sometimes also referred to as “balancing a draft system.”
If you are serious enough about beer to purchase or build a kegerator, you are likely not going to have the same beer on tap day after day. The beer you server will have a range of gravities and a range of carbonation levels. This beer line length calculator is a tool to pick a beer line length to fit your needs.
If you are serving homebrewed beer and are unsure as to what CO2 pressure ranges you will need to carbonate and serve your beer, use the Forced Carbonation Calculator.
The Importance of a Correct Beer Line Length
Having a correct beer line length is important because if it’s too short, the beer will be too foamy, and if it’s too long, the beer will pour slowly. A good starting point is the goal of pouring a US Pint in 8 seconds or pouring an Imperial Pint in 10 seconds. It’s always best to error on the long side since it’s easier to cut the line to make adjustments than to replace the line with a longer one.
Tips for Optimal Kegerator Performance
If you have bought a brand-new or used kegerator, or have built one yourself, here are some simple tips to help it perform best:
- Insulation – If you have a Tower on top of your kegerator, these often come with very little insulation. Adding insulation to your tower will help keep you kegerator and beer lines cool. Just be sure you are able to change the beer lines when the time comes.
- Cleaning – Make sure you clean your beer lines on a regular basis. Also, don’t forget to disassemble the taps for cleaning. Some people clean their lines and taps after every keg, others not so often. Find what will work for you.
