Breaking Down the Different Draft Beer Systems
There are three common commercial systems, each varying in their installation, features, and dispensing methods.
Northwest Draft Technicians in Portland, Oregon, offers
installation and
consultations to help local businesses find the best beer line system for their needs.
Here, our team discusses the three types of draft beer systems, so you can make an informed decision for your restaurant or bar.
Direct-Draw Draft Beer System
A direct-draw beer system stores and serves beer while keeping it at the ideal temperature. These systems are also known as through-the-wall systems because they dispense beer over a short distance. The dispensers feature short beer lines that lead from the keg to the faucet. These short lines minimize waste and won’t break the bank.
Additionally, it has a straightforward installation. This option is popular for bars or home kegerators where the keg is a few feet from the dispensing faucet. This draft beer system is easy to set up in a walk-in cooler, an under-counter refrigerator, or a kegerator. With a kegerator, this system utilizes forced cold air to keep the beer at a consistent temperature. You can combine it with a remote refrigeration unit to increase the amount of beer your keg can hold. However, with a walk-in cooler system, both the kegs and beer lines are stored in the cooler. This setup allows you to pour beer through the cooler wall where a drip tray catches spills or leaks.
Long-Draw Glycol-Cooled System
The glycol-cooled draft beer system is one of two long-draw systems. These systems are the more popular choice and are ideal for draft beer setups that run 25 feet or longer. They use propylene glycol, which is the central cooling agent for keeping draft beer cold. They can effectively deliver cold beer over longer distances. This system keeps beer cold due to the cold air in the walk-in cooler, while the continuous flow of glycol through the coolant lines keeps the beer lines, tower, and faucets cold.
For this system, an insulated trunk line contains multiple beer lines taped to the coolant lines, to keep the beer cold along the entire length. The glycol power pack refrigerates and circulates the coolant from the walk-in cooler to the faucet. Once the coolant reaches the faucet, it returns through the glycol line to the power pack to be recooled and recirculated. This continuous circulation keeps the entire system at a temperature of 28-34°F, keeping the beer at an ideal temperature for serving.
Long-Draw Air-Cooled System
Air-cooled or forced air draft systems are the less common type of long-draw draft beer systems, but they are still helpful in some situations. This type utilizes circulating cold air to maintain the beer’s temperature in the cooler, beer lines, and faucet. They are a great starting option for small restaurants, owners, and at-home beer lovers.
With forced air-cooled systems, beer is stored and chilled in a walk-in cooler. There are two options to keep beer cold as it travels through the lines to the tap:
- Single-column system: A blower fan forces cold air through one line to the beer tower.
- Double-column system: A blower fan forces cold air through two lines to the beer tower. It then returns the air to the cooler, creating an infinite loop to keep the beer lines cold.
Schedule a Consultation Today
When choosing the right beer draft system for your bar or restaurant, consult the experts at Northwest Draft Technicians. We are a locally and family-owned and operated company in Portland, Oregon, with the tools and knowledge to help you manage your business. We will collaborate with you through the entire process, helping you design and develop your system and then managing the installation.
Our experts also provide cleaning and maintenance services to keep your draft lines running for years. We are committed to providing our customers with personalized and reliable products to keep them excited about draft beer. To learn more about our different draft beer systems, contact us today.
