Beer dispense troubleshooting

Problem - No beer is coming out when the tap is opened.

• If there is a sound of gas coming out of the tap it means that the keg is finished - either change to the next keg (if applicable) or order more next time!

• If there is two beer taps on the system, try the other tap.
• Check the keg, try tilting it slightly to ensure that it is not empty.
• Check that the coupler on top of the keg is secured and the lever fully plunged (when unplunged the coupler handle will be at a 45 degree angle, when plunged it will be horizontal).
• Ensure that the gas tap is open at the regulator. Trace back the line that originates from the side of the coupler to the regulator, there will be a plastic 'lever' style tap on the regulator, ensure the lever is turned so that it is pointing in the direction of the line away from the regulator.

• If there is two beer taps on the system, try the other tap.
• Check the keg; try tilting it slightly to ensure that it is not empty.
• Check that the coupler on top of the keg is secured and the lever fully plunged (when unplunged the coupler handle will be at a 45 degree angle, when plunged it will be horizontal).
• Ensure that the gas tap is open at the regulator. Trace back the line that originates from the side of the coupler to the regulator, there will be a plastic 'lever' style tap on the regulator, ensure the lever is turned so that it is pointing in the direction of the line away from the regulator.
• Check the gas regulator guage to see if it is reading a zero value on the dial (the correct dial can be found by tracing the line from the side of the keg coupler back to the gas board, the correct dial is directly opposite where the line connects).
• If reading a zero value, ensure that the gas board is securely fastened to the gas cylinder via the heavy duty piping from the side of the regulator and that all gas tap 'levers' are pointing at right angles to the gas line before slowly turning the knob on top of the cylinder to its fullest extent in the direction marked 'open'.
• The dials should register a value (typically between 15-35psi), if so open the gas tap 'lever'.

Problem - Flat, headless beer comes out.

Symptoms - The lager's 'head' fails to form or is underdeveloped.
Diagnosis -

• Behind the tap there is an adjustable flow control, rotate this to make the beer pour faster, if still a problem reduce to a steady level and continue this checklist.
• Check that the gas pressure is between 17 and 20psi.
• If the gas pressure is below this; lift the handle on the keg coupler by pulling outward and upward. Trace the gas line from the side of the coupler back to the regulator. Take a phillips head (star) screwdriver and slowly turn the large screw on top of the regulator (the screw corresponding with the where the gas line entered) clockwise noting the changes in the pressure gauge.
• Increase the pressure by 2psi and plunge the handle on the coupler again, leave 15 minutes and repeat if the beer is still flat. Only increase the pressure to a maximum of 20psi.
• The pouring technique used may also be at fault (see here for correct technique for pouring lager, see here for Guinness).

• This is likely to be because of the glass. Poor glassware can ruin a beer, ensure it is; squeaky clean (head on beer is quickly destroyed by oils, so greasy food and lipstick can ruin beer foam), the correct shape (tulip shape is best), and has a nucleated (etched) bottom. Plastic glasses are poor at maintaining beer head and taste.
• The pouring technique used may also be at fault (see here for correct technique for pouring lager, see here for Guinness).
  

Problem - Wild, foamy beer comes out.

Symptoms - Foam comes out of the tap, before it reaches the glass.
Diagnosis -

• Check the keg is not empty; gently lift one side of the keg to feel for the weight of the beer moving inside the keg.
• Check that the keg has had time to settle, kegs vary in required settling time however most are fine within 30-40 minutes of being transported.
• Ensure the cooler has been turned on for at least 1-2 hours prior to dispense.
• Ensure that the keg is in a cool area away from sunlight, if in a particularly warm environment ensure the keg is kept cool e.g. immerse it in ice water or wrap it in wet towels (cooling a warm keg can take hours so try to avoid the situation).
• Check that the gas pressure is between 17 and 20psi.
• If the gas pressure is below this; lift the handle on the keg coupler by pulling outward and upward. Trace the gas line from the side of the coupler back to the regulator. Take a phillips head (star) screwdriver and slowly turn the large screw on top of the regulator (the screw corresponding with the where the gas line entered) clockwise noting the changes in the pressure gauge.
• Increase the pressure by 2psi and plunge the handle on the coupler again, leave 15 minutes and repeat if the beer is still foaming. Only increase the pressure to a maximum of 20psi.

• The pouring technique used may also be at fault (see here for correct technique for pouring lager, see here for Guinness).
• Behind the tap there is an adjustable flow control, rotate this to make the beer pour slower, if beer only pours reasonably at an unreasonably slow rate, increase flow to acceptable rate and continue this checklist.
• Check that the gas pressure is between 17 and 20psi.
• If the gas pressure is above this; lift the handle on the keg coupler by pulling outward and upward. Trace the gas line from the side of the coupler back to the regulator. Take a phillips head (star) screwdriver and slowly turn the large screw on top of the regulator (the screw corresponding with the where the gas line entered) anti-clockwise noting the changes in the pressure gauge.
• Reduce the pressure by 2psi and plunge the handle on the coupler again, leave 15 minutes and repeat if the beer is still foaming. Only reduce the pressure up to a minimum of 17psi.

• Check that any beer lines are not near and heat sources such as radiators.
• Check that all lines are kink free and are not trapped e.g. under kegs.
• Check all connections are tight; follow the beer line from the keg to the tap firmly pushing in the beer line into any connectors encountered and then pulling the beer line away from the connection to lock it in place.

• Ensure the keg has not been allowed to increase in temperature, if this has occurred try and cool the keg e.g. immersing it in ice water or by wrapping it in damp towels.
• Check that the gas pressure is between 17 and 20psi.
• Lift the handle on the keg coupler by pulling outward and upward. Trace the gas line from the side of the coupler back to the regulator. Take a phillips head (star) screwdriver and slowly turn the large screw on top of the regulator (the screw corresponding with the where the gas line entered) anti-clockwise noting the changes in the pressure gauge.
• Reduce the pressure by 2psi and plunge the handle on the coupler again, leave 15 minutes and repeat if the beer is still foaming. Only reduce the pressure up to a minimum of 17psi.