What is a balanced system?

A balanced system uses the right combination of line length, diameter and pressure so beer pours at the correct rate without foaming. The serving pressure should match the carbonation pressure.

Why does height matter?

If the tap is higher than the keg, gravity creates back-pressure. Each metre of height adds about 1.42 PSI that the gas must overcome.

How fast should beer pour?

A good pour rate is about 60ml per second (a pint in about 10 seconds). If pouring too fast or too slow, adjust line length.

Why does my first pour always foam?

The first pour often contains beer that has warmed slightly in the tap and line. Warm beer cannot hold as much CO2, so it foams when dispensed. Pour and discard the first 30-50ml, or install a flow control tap that lets you reduce the initial flow rate.

Can I serve cask-style from a keg?

Yes. Set CO2 volumes to 1.0-1.5 and use a corresponding low serving pressure. Some brewers use a cask breather or hand pump adapter. For authentic cask character, condition at cellar temperature (11-13°C) and serve at very low pressure (2-4 PSI).

BrewCalcs

Serving Pressure Calculator

Calculate balanced serving pressure for your draught system.

Line Length

Total length of beer line from keg to tap

Line Inner Diameter

Inner diameter of your beer line tubing

Height (tap above keg)

Vertical distance from keg top to tap

How We Calculate This

Serving Pressure

Serving PSI = Line Resistance + Height PSI + Faucet Resistance. Line resistance depends on diameter and length. Height adds 1.42 PSI per metre. Faucet/fitting resistance is approximately 1 PSI.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Interactive PSI chart for temperature and CO2 volume combinations.

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Last updated: 2025-02-20

All calculations are estimates. Always verify values and adjust based on your equipment and ingredients.