Aside from the chilling of your keg of beer a beer kegerator requires a number of components to get that delicious, cold draft from your keg and into your favorite beer glass. The system employs a pressurized air system with hoses and a coupler to connect and deliver your beer to you.
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CO2 tank
This tank contains the pressurize carbon dioxide that is forced into the keg via the air line which in turn forces the beer out of the keg and into the beer line. Most kegerators come with a 5 lb tank that should last about 5 to 7 full kegs. Generally, the tank can be refilled at most gas dealers and welding supply outlets but be sure to call ahead to confirm. Some brands like Guinness require pressurized nitrogen as well, which uses different tanks, so be sure to research local availability.
Regulator (Single or Dual)
The regulator reduces the air pressure from the tank down to a suitable level for serving beer which is indicated by the gauge in PSI, or pounds per square inch. The pressure can be manually adjusted using the regulator with higher pressure delivering more foamy beer and lower pressure resulting in flat beer. A recommended setting of 6 to 12 PSI is suitable for most brews but can vary according to brand and personal preference. Regulators are available in single gauge models and dual gauge models with the second gauge also indicating the level of gas left in the tank as well.
Air Line
This tube connects the regulator to the keg coupler to carry the pressurized CO2 to the keg.
Coupler
The keg coupler is the component that attaches, or taps, the keg and allows gas to flow into one side and beer to flow out the other. There are 6 main types of couplers which vary by brand. Most American domestic beer kegs use the D coupler. The 6 types are as follows:
- System D (US Sankey) – Standard for American beer
- System S (European Sankey) – Common for European beer
- System U – Used for stout and ale by a few breweries in UK/Ireland (Guinness)
- System G – Used by some breweries in UK/Ireland (also used in the US by Anchor Brewing)
- System A – Chiefly used by breweries in Germany
- System M – Used by some German breweries (Schneider)
Beer Line
This food-grade tubing transports the beer from the coupler attached to the keg and into the shank in the dispensing tower. For an optimal pour beer lines should be chilled and keeping them clean will prevent foamy and bad tasting beer. It is recommended to clean your beer line after every 1/2 (full) keg barrel.
Shank
This long steel tube, found in refrigerator conversion kits, connects the beer line to the faucet. They are built into the draft beer towers found in most ready-made kegerators.
Faucet
The faucet, as you would expect, is where your delicious, icy cold and fresh draft comes out. It is recommended to clean the faucet when you clean your beer line.
Faucet Handle
Also known as the tap handle this is the lever that you pull to begin dispensing your draft beer and can usually be replaced with a new one of your choosing for personalization.