Going out for a pint of beer with your loved one or a group of friends is a relaxing, fun endeavor. But what if you could bring the beer tap into the comfort of your own home? Installing a beer system in your house is not as hard as it seems and could be your next exciting home project. The essentials of draft beer services are composed of four basic elements: a refrigerator, a CO2 canister, beer tap, and a beer keg. If you’re up for the challenge, here’s how:
Choose a Space
Choosing a space for your draft beer services should be the first thing you consider when starting your new project. Most common beer taps can be set up at a bar or behind a wall, but make sure there is plenty of room to set up a refrigerator to keep your beer keg cold. Visit a beer distributor or a local store that carries kegs and get the appropriate dimensions. There are different sizes for kegs, so be sure to measure out one that you think you will likely be purchasing often. For example, you wouldn’t want to plan for a small keg and then be unable to fit a larger keg in the space. You may also want to choose a space that is guaranteed to stay pretty clean and is convenient to pour.
Beer Lines & CO2 Canister
After you’ve chosen your space, map out the lay of the land. A beer line will have to run from the CO2 canister to the keg and another line from the keg to the beer tap. The canister doesn’t necessarily need to be inside the refrigerator, just the keg itself. Once you’ve mapped out how everything will flow, make sure you have everything you need to start hooking it up: regulators, lines, and couplers. If you have any questions about setting up beer dispensing equipment or other general beverage dispenser questions, reach out to SC Beverage.
Drilling
The next step is to drill two holes into the refrigerator to insert the beer lines. Make sure to drill big enough so that the tubing fits and no kinks occur. Once you’ve done this, insert the gaskets into the refrigerator holes and thread the tubes through that.
After you’ve completed drilling the refrigerator holes, you’ll want to drill a hole for the beer tap. Consider where you’d like your beer tap to go and make sure that the drill bit you are using is the same size as the tap. Next, cut out the hole with the drill bit and screw in the beer tap. Be sure to add a fastener nut at the bottom to make sure the tap stays in place.
Connection
The next step is to connect the CO2 tank to the regulator and the CO2 hose to the keg. Make sure to secure this with a proper clamp so that it doesn’t come undone.
After you’ve done that, it’s time to connect the coupler to the top of the keg. The CO2 line connects to the CO2 side of the coupler while the beer line will connect to the other side of the coupler. Again, you’ll want to secure both of these connections with clamps for optimal safety.
Integrating the Refrigerator
Next, you’ll want to integrate the refrigerator back into the mix by connecting it to the tap as well, keeping the beer nice and cold.
Final
The final step is to open up the CO2 canister so beer can be poured appropriately. This will take some time to adjust the pressure according to the beer you are pouring and according to your taste. If the keg of beer is from a local distributor, they may have some suggestions on what the appropriate pressure for that beer so you may also want to inquire with them.
Draft Beer Services in Orange County
If you’re looking to install draft beer services in your home, but running across some difficulties, you can also hire a professional to do it for you. At SC Beverage, we specialize in beverage installation and services. Visit our website today to see more about our beer tap offerings.
