Draft Beer Line All You Need to Know About Using It

Vinyl draft beer line is a pivotal piece to a draft beer system. How to use it can be confusing with all the different sizes out there. After reading through this article you will understand exactly how to use vinyl beer line, in the right way and in any beer system.

We will be discussing different I.D sizes. Where to use it, how to use it, and maintaining beer lines. The right hose fittings and what's needed, and where you can find quality beer line.

First, we will discuss the different sizes...so let’s go.

What sizes of Beer Line Are There?

With vinyl beer line there are 3 sizes that are industry standard across the board and those sizes are 3/16”, 1/4” and 3/8”. These dimensions read as I.D. or inside diameter.

The vinyl tubing I personally use for my commercial installs is from Micro Matic full disclosure.

I use these guys because they are brewery recommended and quality approved for draft beer dispensing systems. Plus, I have personally used them in commercial beer installs across the country.

3/16 I.D  Line

This is referred to as “choke tubing” and is used in coolers, draft towers and runs less than 5’ because the restriction value is large. It is 3 lbs of restriction per foot. I’ll talk a little more about this later. Next one up is the ¼” beer line.

1/4  I.D.  Line

This is an in-between beer line. Personally, don’t use this much compared to the 3/16 and 3/8 I.D Line. Depending on the restriction values of the beer system. The 1/4” beer line can be used in direct draw systems like a kegerator, growler station, or pouring off a beer cooler. If the kegs are farther than 5' from the beer shank, or tap connection. The 1/4" can be used to dispense beer.

3/8 I.D.  Line

The most common beer line used in dispensing beer. Typically the 3/8 I.D beer line connects the coupler to the beer pump, fob, or trunkline inside a beer cooler. 

On a direct draw system, you could use the 3/8  I.D line if the kegs are ways away. You could then reduce the line down to 3/16 I.D. when you're close to the beer shank or where you are making your connection to the beer faucet.

For example, you could have kegs on the opposite end of a beer cooler and need to wrap beer lines around the cooler. 

Now you wouldn’t use 3/8 line all the way, but a mix of 3/16 and 3/8 to get the right balance of restriction to equal the applied pressure from C02 . This would give you a perfect pour, and the system would be balanced. 

How Long Should Draft Line Be?

Determined by the restriction value of the line. Each of these values has a restriction value per foot below.

• 3 / 16 = 3 pounds
• 1 / 4 = .85 pounds
• 3 / 8 = .20 pounds

These values will help us determine the length of beer line needed to achieve equilibrium. What we want to do is match our applied pressure to restriction value. 

So, if we are dispensing from a direct draw system and our applied pressure or C02 pressure is 12 PSI to get 2.5 Units of Carb, and our keg is 15’ away from the beer shank. We could do 12‘ of 3/8 to get us 2.4 Lbs of restriction. Then we could attach 3.’ of 3/16 tubing which is 9 lbs… This would give us a restriction reading of 11.4 lbs of restriction for our beer vinyl line. To get to the exact 12 PSI we could add a little extra piece of choke tubing. 

That's why the amount of line needed depends on the distance to the tap, but also the right restriction value needed to pour beer correctly.

Beer Line for Kegerators 

Vinyl beer tubing is used in kegerators. Typically these come with air-cooled towers that have 4-5’ piece of 3/16 I.D Choke tubing. One end is attached to a tower shank and the other end hooks up to a hose fitting, beer nut, and beer washer connected to a coupler.

Beer Line in Walk-in Beer Coolers

Most of the time vinyl lines are located in the beer cooler. Depending on the type of beer system will dictate how the vinyl line is used, and set up.

Direct Draw Systems

In these particular system, beer kegs are stored in a beer cooler and the taps are right off the beer cooler. Growler stations are a great example of these systems. Anyways, the faucets are attached to beer shanks penetrating the cooler wall and vinyl lines are connected from the end of the shanks to the keg.

The type of line varies depending on where the kegs are resting inside the cooler. Most of the time it’s 2-3’ of choke tubing, followed by 3/8’ tubing is standard. With  connection made with a 3/8 to 3/16 tailpiece splicing these lines together.

This is a common setup for most direct draw systems. However, if the kegs are right behind and below the shanks like the picture above. 3/16 line from the shank to the keg is very doable if it’s less than 5’.

Jumper Line for Remote Systems

For Remote systems, jumper lines are common use for vinyl beer line. Typically they can go from the keg coupler to a beer pump, to a FOB (Foam On Beer), or directly to the beer trunkline heading out to the beer towers.

In these situations 3/8 I.D. Beer line is used as the jumper for these connections.

Beer Line for Draft Beer Towers

Draft towers usually have stainless steel connections to attach beer trunklines to. However, every once in a while, you’ll find a beer tower that has vinyl choke line attached to it. The choke line is usually 4-5’ long.

To make this connection between the trunkline you can use a 3/8 to 3/16 reducer with 14.0 and 13.3 Otiker, or hoseclamp.

Maintaining Beer Lines

Once lines are installed in a draft system. There are a couple things that are needed to maintain performance. Cleaning lines every 2 weeks with a caustic cleaning solution, and then cleaning the lines with an acid solution every four weeks.

For more information on cleaning beer lines and the different cleaning methods check this out.

Here are recommended beer cleaning solutions. One's a caustic alkaline solution that can be used every 2 weeks. Then there's an acid solution that can be used once every 4 wees. These are both in a liquid solution and just need to mix with water to start cleaning. Ideally it's best with a re-circulating pump, but can also be used as a static clean as well.

There's also a handpump cleaning kit that is specifically used for kegerators and comes with a powdered cleaning solution that is mixed with water. Also includes a beer bruse and beer wrench to take off faucets.

These options will make sure installed beer lines are in working order, clean and delivering great craft beer. 

How Often Should Beer Lines Be Changed

According to Brewers Association, Vinyl lines should be changed out every other year. There are only a handful of commercial properties that actually do this. Usually, it’s anywhere between 5-10 years.

Home Kegerator line replacement can be done easily. It’s easier to follow the Brewer Association recommendations with small direct draw systems. Than large complex remote systems.

With a continous line cleaning program, beer lines can last awhile.

Beer Line Hose Fittings

So how are the beer lines connected to fittings and connected to beer equipment like keg couplers and other draft equipment? That’s done with specific hose fittings I’ll talk about that here.

First, you will need a hose fitting. Now you want to match the hose fitting to the I.D of the beer line you are using. For example, if you are using a 3/8 I.D. line you will want a 3/8 hose fitting. 

Next, you will need a beer nut and beer washer. You will take the hose fitting and push it through the beer nut and and the beer washer before you screw it on to the beer coupler.

To secure the vinyl line to the hose fitting you can use either a hose clamp or an otiker clamp.

I prefer to use an otiker clamp because they hold better than a hose clamp. Either or should work just fine for your connection.

Where Can Beer Line Be Found

I Typically use Micro Matic beer vinyl line, and I use their equipment in all of my installs across the country and can vouch for their products.

You can find cheaper vinyl lines online at Amazon. However, I will always recommend quality first. Whether friends, family, and clients ask.

Summary

In review, there are 3 main types of vinyl beer line 3/16 also known as “choke tubing”. 1/4“ I.D. and 3/8 I.D. The two most popular are 3/8 and 3/16. 

Vinyl beer line is found in walk-in coolers as jumpers from keg couplers connecting to other draft beer equipment.

Beer line connects beer shanks to keg couplers in Direct-Draw systems. It's found in air-cooled towers on kegerators connecting to couplers.

As long as the lines are maintained properly with the right cleaning schedule. Beer lines can last a while.

A brand I recommend getting vinyl beer line from is Micro-Matic, the industry leader. If you have further questions reach me here cheers!