Kegs in Series - Just the Facts
Why Connect kegs in series?:
High volume dispensing:
- Eliminates the need to tap a new keg each time one empties.
- Beer switches and FOB's can also be used.
Long Remote Draw:
- Less beer is lost, especially important on long draw systems without FOBs.
- Requires keg usage of 3 kegs per week for profitability.
Changeover Convenience
- If the cooler is difficult to deliver kegs to.
- Downtime must be kept to a minimum.
Kegs in Series Definitions
- Gas keg = The keg in series connected to the gas supply. This will empty first into the next keg the series, so should be the freshest dated keg.
- Faucet keg = The keg in series connected to the beer line going to the faucet. - Is kept full from the other kegs in the system. - Is the last keg in the keg series to empty. - Should be the oldest dated keg.
- Intermediate kegs. = Any keg(s) hooked in series between the gas and faucet keg.
- Tapping order
- Gas keg first then work forward towards faucet keg.
- Un tapping order
- Faucet keg first then work backward to gas keg.
Kegs in Series Requirements
- Kegs are connected using ⅜" I.D. beer lines, usually 4 to 6 feet in length,
and using ⅜" tailpieces, not gas nipples.
- Series kegs are connected starting with the beer outlet of the Tap from the upstream keg, to the CO2 inlet of the Tap for the next downstream keg in the series. The C02 inlet should be a 5/16" hose barb connection.
- The check valve is removed from each Tap of the intermediate and faucet kegs. The check valve should be left in the gas keg Tap. It is important to clean any excess and dirty lubricant off the Tap, since beer will flow on the outside of the probe and through the C02 nipple to the jumper line.
- The entire series of kegs should be emptied at least once every 7 days to maintain draft beer quality. Therefore, the number of kegs placed in series should not exceed the volume of beer dispensed in one week.
- 10 kegs maximum should be allowed in series.
Rotation of Kegs Connected in Series
- Always connect the partially filled keg as the gas keg for the beer to flow properly through the kegs in series. See diagram....
- The oldest date code keg should always be the faucet keg.
- All kegs must empty every 7 days to insure freshness.
Diagram for Kegs in Series
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