Beer Trivia and Specs

We have added some random information you may need to know.  Visit often for questions and trivia.  Be the first to answer with the right answer and win Kegman gear.

Beer Keg Physical Sizes

All keg measurements are in US inches.
For metric measurements multiply by 2.54 to obtain cm.
Diameters measurements include ¼" keg to wall clearance.
All liquids are in US Gallons.
All can numbers are for standard 12 US Fluid Ounce cans. Rounded to the closest whole can.

½ US Sankey - 15.5 US Gallons 16½ diam. 23¼ high 29 w/coupler 23½ high w/ low-boy

¼ US Sankey - 7.75 US Gallons 16½ diam. 13¾ high 19 w/coupler  14 high w/ low-boy

Slim ¼ US Sankey - 7.75 US Gallons 11¾ diam. 23¼ high 29 w/coup. 23½ high w/low-boy

1/6 Pony US Sankey - 5 US Gallons 9¾ diam. 23¼ high 29 w/coup. 23½ high w/low-boy

Beer Sphere - 5 US Gallons 15 diameter 15 high 18 w/coupler

5 liter Party Keg - 1.3 US Gallons 7 diameter 10 high 15 w/coupler

Pepsi Ball lock 5 US Gallons 9 diameter 25 high 28 w/disconnect
Coke Pin Lock 5 US Gallons 9 diameter 23 high 27 w/disconnect

BREWERY APPROVED BEER LINE: Our Kegman brewery approved beer line comes in two types: Vinyl Tubing and Polyethylene Barrier Tubing. Do not be fooled into using the cheap tubing found in home brew shops and department/hardware stores. They are not intended for beer and will cause foam and possible leach chemicals and off flavors into your beer.

Always use brewery approved beer line if you want to have foam free, fresh tasting beer. Many a great beer was spoiled by serving it through a plastic tube from the hardware or discount store. If you use the plain vinyl tubing in your beer tap system you will wind up with a foamy, off-tasting beer.

 

In Line Resistance

Our 3/16" I.D. line has 3.0 #'s of resistance per foot and 1/6 oz/ft

Our 1/4" I.D. line has .85 #'s of resistance per foot and 1/3 oz/ft

Our 3/8" I.D. line has .20 #'s of resistance per foot and 3/4 oz/ft

Beer Keg Volume

½ keg 6.9 cases at 12 oz per serving 15 gallons Keg full, weighs 170 lb.
¼ keg 3.4 cases at 12 oz per serving 7¾ gallons Keg full, weighs 85 lb.
Pony 2.2 cases at 12 oz per serving 5 gallons Keg full, weighs 60 lb.

1/2 Keg equals 220 12 oz servings with a 1" head

1/4 Keg equals 110 12 oz serving with a 1" head

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:  For the best and freshest tasting beer, keep downtime to a minimum and make sure it is convenient to deliver kegs. 

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 so the beer can 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 to 14 days to insure freshness.